A modern classic, but not for the faint of heart
–
Chris Parkes –
2017-10-02
One of the bleakest films to ever come out of Hollywood, Se7en is head and shoulders above most serial killer-themed films by virtue of its style, the care put into every department, and one of Morgan Freeman’s most profound performances as a retiring detective who has given up on the world, only to have that confronted when a series of grisly murders based on the seven deadly sins begin and he is partnered with an enthusiastic and idealistic young partner (Brad, well-cast here). Whereas most films in this genre are content to shock and leer, this ends up going much, much further, slowly taking the audience and characters into very challenging territory, morally and viscerally. Not a film that’s easy to enjoy- it’s just so dark and violent, even if either of those are never gratuitous- but it is impossible to forget.