Se7en is a neo-noir crime thriller movie that was directed by David Fincher and released in 1995. The movie stars Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman as two detectives investigating a series of brutal murders that are inspired by the seven deadly sins. As the investigation progresses, they find themselves drawn into a twisted game of cat and mouse with the killer, played by Kevin Spacey.
One of the primary themes of Se7en is the nature of evil and how it manifests itself in human behavior. The movie explores the idea that anyone can be capable of committing horrific acts, regardless of their background or social status. Another major theme is the idea of redemption and whether it is possible for someone who has committed terrible deeds to find a way to atone for their sins.
People love Se7en for many reasons. One of the main reasons is its gripping storyline, which keeps viewers on the edge of their seats throughout the movie. The performances by the lead actors are also widely praised, particularly the chemistry between Pitt and Freeman. The movie’s themes of morality, justice, and human nature also resonate with audiences, making it a thought-provoking and memorable viewing experience.
Se7en was a critical and commercial success upon its release, grossing over $327 million worldwide. It received numerous accolades, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Film Editing. The movie’s iconic ending, which reveals the killer’s identity and motive, is often cited as one of the most memorable and shocking twists in cinematic history.
Overall, Se7en remains a beloved and influential movie that has left a lasting impact on the crime thriller genre. Its exploration of dark themes and complex characters continue to captivate audiences, making it a timeless classic that is sure to be remembered for years to come.
If you enjoyed Se7en and are looking for similar movies, here are nine recommendations:
- Zodiac (2007) – Also directed by David Fincher, Zodiac is a crime thriller based on the true story of the Zodiac Killer who terrorized San Francisco in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
- The Silence of the Lambs (1991) – A classic psychological thriller, The Silence of the Lambs follows a young FBI agent who seeks the help of imprisoned serial killer Dr. Hannibal Lecter to catch another serial killer on the loose.
- Memento (2000) – A mind-bending neo-noir movie that tells the story of a man with short-term memory loss who is trying to solve the mystery of his wife’s murder.
- Gone Girl (2014) – Another David Fincher-directed movie, Gone Girl is a dark thriller that explores the secrets and lies behind a missing woman’s disappearance.
- Mystic River (2003) – Directed by Clint Eastwood, Mystic River follows three childhood friends who are reunited after one of them becomes the prime suspect in a murder investigation.
- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011) – Based on the bestselling novel, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a gripping thriller about a journalist and a hacker who team up to investigate a decades-old disappearance.
- Memories of Murder (2003) – A South Korean crime drama that is based on the true story of the first serial killer in the country’s history.
- Seven Psychopaths (2012) – A darkly humorous crime movie that follows a struggling screenwriter who gets drawn into the criminal underworld after his friends steal a gangster’s beloved dog.
- The Bone Collector (1999) – Starring Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie, The Bone Collector is a thriller about a paralyzed forensic expert and a young detective who team up to catch a serial killer.
1. Zodiac (2007)
Zodiac is a crime thriller directed by David Fincher, who also directed Se7en. The movie is based on the true story of the Zodiac Killer, who terrorized the San Francisco Bay Area in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The movie stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo, and Robert Downey Jr. in lead roles.
The movie follows the investigation of the Zodiac Killer, who sends letters to the police and media outlets, taunting them with cryptic messages and threats. Gyllenhaal plays a cartoonist named Robert Graysmith, who becomes obsessed with the case and tries to solve it on his own. Ruffalo plays a detective who is also investigating the case, and Downey Jr. plays a reporter who is trying to uncover the killer’s identity.
Similar to Se7en, Zodiac is a dark and atmospheric movie that explores the psychology of a serial killer and the toll that the investigation takes on those involved. The movie is also notable for its attention to detail and accuracy in recreating the time period, with Fincher and his team going to great lengths to accurately depict the locations and costumes of the era.
2. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
The Silence of the Lambs is a psychological thriller directed by Jonathan Demme, based on the novel of the same name by Thomas Harris. The movie stars Jodie Foster as Clarice Starling, an FBI trainee who is tasked with interviewing incarcerated serial killer Dr. Hannibal Lecter, played by Anthony Hopkins, to help catch another serial killer who is on the loose.
The movie explores the relationship between Starling and Lecter, as he manipulates her into revealing personal information about herself while providing insight into the killer’s motives. The movie also delves into the psychology of the killer, who is known as Buffalo Bill, as Starling races against time to catch him before he kills again.
Like Se7en, The Silence of the Lambs is a gripping and intense thriller that explores the twisted minds of serial killers and those who hunt them. The movie is also notable for its iconic performances, particularly Hopkins’ portrayal of Lecter, which earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor.
3. Memento (2000)
Memento is a neo-noir psychological thriller directed by Christopher Nolan. The movie stars Guy Pearce as Leonard, a man with short-term memory loss who is trying to solve the mystery of his wife’s murder. The movie is notable for its unique narrative structure, with the story being told in reverse chronological order, starting with the end and working its way back to the beginning.
The movie explores the themes of memory, identity, and perception, as Leonard tries to piece together clues from his fragmented memory to track down his wife’s killer. Along the way, he meets several other characters who may or may not be trustworthy, and the audience is kept in suspense as to what is really happening.
Like Se7en, Memento is a dark and complex thriller that keeps the audience guessing until the very end. The movie also explores the psychological toll of trauma and loss, as Leonard struggles to come to terms with his own past and identity. The movie is notable for its innovative storytelling and its thought-provoking exploration of the human mind.
4. Gone Girl (2014)
Gone Girl is a psychological thriller directed by David Fincher, who also directed Se7en. The movie is based on the novel of the same name by Gillian Flynn and stars Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike in lead roles.
The movie follows the story of Nick Dunne (Affleck) and his wife Amy (Pike), whose marriage starts to crumble when Amy disappears on their fifth wedding anniversary. As the investigation into Amy’s disappearance unfolds, Nick becomes the prime suspect, and the audience is taken on a rollercoaster ride of twists and turns as the true nature of their relationship is revealed.
Like Se7en, Gone Girl is a dark and complex thriller that explores the themes of deception, manipulation, and human nature. The movie also features Fincher’s signature style of cinematography, with a focus on detail and atmosphere.
5. Mystic River (2003)
Mystic River is a crime drama directed by Clint Eastwood, based on the novel of the same name by Dennis Lehane. The movie stars Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, and Kevin Bacon in lead roles.
The movie follows the story of three childhood friends from a working-class neighborhood in Boston, whose lives are forever changed when one of them is abducted and sexually abused as a child. As adults, they are reunited when the daughter of one of them is found murdered, and they must confront the demons of their past to solve the crime.
Like Se7en, Mystic River is a gritty and atmospheric thriller that explores the psychological toll of trauma and loss. The movie also features powerful performances from its ensemble cast, particularly Penn and Robbins, who won Academy Awards for their roles.
6. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a crime thriller directed by David Fincher, based on the novel of the same name by Stieg Larsson. The movie stars Rooney Mara and Daniel Craig in lead roles.
The movie follows the story of a journalist named Mikael Blomkvist (Craig) and a computer hacker named Lisbeth Salander (Mara), who are hired to investigate the disappearance of a wealthy businessman’s niece. As they delve deeper into the case, they uncover a web of corruption and abuse that threatens to destroy them both.
Like Se7en, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a dark and intense thriller that explores the seedy underbelly of society. The movie also features Fincher’s signature style of cinematography, with a focus on detail and atmosphere. Mara’s portrayal of Salander is particularly notable, earning her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.
7. Memories of Murder (2003)
Memories of Murder is a crime drama directed by Bong Joon-ho, based on the true story of the first serial killer case in South Korea. The movie stars Song Kang-ho and Kim Sang-kyung in lead roles.
The movie follows the story of two detectives, Park Doo-man (Song) and Cho Yong-koo (Kim), who are tasked with investigating a string of murders in a small town in rural South Korea. As the body count rises and the investigation drags on, the detectives become increasingly desperate to catch the killer, leading to a shocking and tragic conclusion.
Like Se7en, Memories of Murder is a dark and intense thriller that explores the psychological toll of crime and violence. The movie also features powerful performances from its ensemble cast, particularly Song, who delivers a nuanced and complex portrayal of Detective Park.
8. Seven Psychopaths (2012)
Seven Psychopaths is a black comedy crime film directed by Martin McDonagh, starring Colin Farrell, Sam Rockwell, and Christopher Walken.
The movie follows the story of a struggling screenwriter named Marty (Farrell), who becomes entangled in the criminal underworld of Los Angeles after his friend (Rockwell) and his dog-napping partner (Walken) kidnap the beloved Shih Tzu of a dangerous gangster (Woody Harrelson). As Marty tries to navigate the chaos of the situation, he finds inspiration for his latest screenplay.
Like Se7en, Seven Psychopaths is a darkly humorous exploration of the criminal underworld, with a focus on complex characters and unexpected twists. The movie also features McDonagh’s signature blend of violence and humor, along with standout performances from its ensemble cast.
9. The Bone Collector (1999)
The Bone Collector is a crime thriller directed by Phillip Noyce, starring Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie.
The movie follows the story of a quadriplegic former detective named Lincoln Rhyme (Washington), who teams up with a young patrol officer named Amelia Donaghy (Jolie) to solve a string of murders that seem to be connected to a serial killer known as “The Bone Collector”. As the investigation progresses, Rhyme and Donaghy race against time to stop the killer before he strikes again.
Like Se7en, The Bone Collector is a tense and atmospheric thriller that explores the darker side of human nature. The movie also features strong performances from Washington and Jolie, as well as a compelling mystery that keeps the audience guessing until the very end.
Here’s a table with the IMDb ratings and Rotten Tomatoes scores for the movies:
| Movie Title | IMDb Rating | Rotten Tomatoes Score |
| Se7en | 8.6 | 95% |
| Zodiac | 7.7 | 89% |
| The Silence of the Lambs | 8.6 | 96% |
| Memento | 8.4 | 93% |
| Gone Girl | 8.1 | 88% |
| Mystic River | 7.9 | 87% |
| The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo | 7.8 | 86% |
| Memories of Murder | 8.1 | 94% |
| Seven Psychopaths | 7.2 | 82% |
| The Bone Collector | 6.7 | 28% |