essay

What makes a thriller and how is this evident in 'Se7en'? A macro/micro analysis of 'Se7en' (David Fincher, 1995).


The film ‘Se7en’ is a crime/psychological thriller. It covers most of the micro/macro elements that are common in thriller films such as; genre, narrative, audience, institution, representation, ideology and the micro techniques; cinematography, sound, editing and miss en scene. I am going to explore the elements that make ‘Se7en’ a crime thriller and how they show this.
The film was directed by ‘David Fincher’, a director who kind of specialises in thriller movies, such as ‘Fight Club and ‘Panic Room’ (These being few of his previous films). The screenplay was written by Andrew Kevin Walker. Like Fincher, Walker is known for his history in the thriller genre, having re-written 'Fight Club' (a Fincher Film). The film was produced by Arnold Kopelson, who also has links to the thriller span, having produced suspense thrillers like ‘Outbreak’ (which stars Morgan freeman). Kevin Spacey had just stared in his new movie ‘The Usual Suspects’ a massive thriller success, Brad Pitt was Qiuckly gaining recognition and Morgan Freeman was already a start in the industry with his hit movie ‘The Shawshank Redemption’; it’s obvious that the studio, New Line Cinema, were putting a lot faith in the film, as is supported by the $30 million budget and the scope of stars they were willing to cast. This is even more significant considering that, at the time, New Line Cinema was an independent studio, and not only this but the film is relatively contrasting to typical Hollywood releases with very dark themes that would normally be frowned upon; they were putting a quite substantial budget and cast, despite their setbacks, along-side a style of film that was relatively less likely to succeed than most films.
The age limit on this film is an 18, so this obviously means for an older audience, but I would specify males early twenties up to about forty and below. This is because of the cast in the film and the plot, the cast in the film generally being male with 2 male protagonists and a male antagonist. The only female we really see is Mills’s Wife. The two protagonists both are parallel with eachother. One is calm and submissive and one is violent and short tempered with a crude mouth. This related to the target audience because Mills (The crude detective) would appeal to the younger side of the target audience where as Somerset would appeal to more of the older side of the target audience.
Another element of representation, also through use of the miss en scene, is the clothes that each character wears. Not only do each characters' clothes represent their role (antagonist, protagonist), but they also represent the characters personality. This highlights much of the normality of the characters, especially their flaws. For instance, the two morning scenes of the two detectives can contrast each other. While Somerset dresses very slowly, a point-of-view camera showing as he individually took and adjusted peripherals, with very neat and professional clothing, Mills appears the opposite; he is very rushed, and throws on an un-ironed shirt. Throughout the film he wears the likes of a leather jacket, crumpled shirt, rolled up sleeves and so on. Somerset will always appear professional and tidy however. This highlights each characters' personalities in that Mills is very much like his clothed: rough, rushed, impatient, and so is Somerset: calm, tidy, considerate.
The relationship between the two protagonists is shown throughout the film. For example. When the 3rd murder is discovered, there is a photographer on the stairs (The guy being the antagonist without Mills and Somerset knowing) when Mills tells the photographer to go away Somerset says something to him about his temper and anger therefore showing us that Somerset is more wiser that Mills. Basically telling Mills that he needs to calm down if he wants to be successful in his line of work.
Suspense and tension is used to give the film a thrilling feel to it. For example when the 3rd murder is discovered everyone in the room suspects that he is dead and therefore motionless but then a cheap surprise is used and the ‘Dead’ guy comes back to life and screams. But the story leading up to the cheap surprise does get the audience wondering because Somerset says that they are in the room exactly a year after the first picture was taken, making the audience think that something may happen.
The mis-en-scene throughout the film is very dark and is pretty much always raining, this creates the sense of depression during this time. The only real sign of happiness is at the end of the film when the weather is sunny, but still doesn’t end well. The rain could also represent the relationship between protagonists and antagonist because the antagonist could plan the murders during the worst weather in America. The weather also plays a big role in the film to create darkness and suspense.
Sound doesn’t really play a big role in the film. The sounds are all natural, by this I mean they weren’t added on when the film was edited. I think this is important because the film isn’t a Sci-fi it’s a thriller. Thrillers have to be realistic because they can create the sense of realism. Realism is an important role to play with the audience because the audience start thinking that because there are no aliens or out of this world objects it could easily happen to them.
The relationship with Somerset and Mills’s wife is shown at the end of the film when Somerset finds Mills’s wife’s head in a box. Somerset seems speechless and starts to look angry/sad. This is important because Somerset got close to Tracy (Mills’s wife) when Tracy asked Somerset to go and see her to have chat they bonded and became closer friends.
This film is not a horror because the film has a sense of realism. But saying that some horrors have realism but sometimes use things that would be totally impossible to pull off. Se7en is a classic example of a thriller. Creating tension, giving of cheap suprises sending the audience in the opposite direction and then coming back into the story line for example the antagonists in the last deadly sin, but the detectives thought it would be someone else.