Se7en - What it all Meant 

Back up for the time being. I’ve been assured that I’m well within fair use, but the dilute my still go south because... that’s how things are I suppose.

The ending was so fucking intense I felt his pain of injustice deep in me

The saddest part about the movie is the fact that John, SomerSet&Mills all have the same goal, to restore justice in the world.

I swear to God, this movie’s the greatest cinematic piece of art I’ve seen yet. 7 deadly sins. Gluttony, greed, lust, pride, and sloth die. John Doe is envy. And by the end, Mills is wrath. 2 bodies in the desert. The angel of death, and his reaper.

Nice use of rain audio throughout the analysis.

There would never be another movie like Se7en. It’s truly a piece of art

Fun fact brad pitt really did break his arm when he went to chase kevin spacey

the sound of the metronome in the rain is pretty symbolic of the movie's message, I'd say.

The friendship between Somerset and Mills reminded me alot of the friendship between Jesse Pinkman and Walter White

One thing many people dont notice is that John Doe is watching Mills and Somerset when they are inside the Leather store!

My favourite thing about this film is that if you watch the film casually, it's hard to truly understand and therefore felling like the ending is unsatisfying in the same way that mills succumbs to wrath and kills John Doe because he doesn't understand, however when you really give it thought you become like Somerset who doesn't kill John Doe and moves on with his life because he does. This is shown perfectly when John says "wanting people to listen, you can't just tap them on the shoulder anymore you have to hit them with a sledgehammer" this gives a connection between the storytelling in this film and very subtlety giving people hits, much like tapping them on the shoulder instead of just telling the audience how things play out in a cliché way and ending, hitting them with a sledgehammer. It shows how audiences lashed out at the film for not understanding much like how Mills lashes out at John after saying this, whereas Somerset stays completely silent. (Sorry if I sounded pretentious lol, just wanted to get my thoughts out)

This masterpiece left me feeling empty, but fascinated at the same time. It was such a ride, a disturbingly beautiful experience. I watched it only a few days ago, since I was a kid when it came out and I hadn't really thought about it. I was really missing out!

One of the themes Seven debates is nihilism. The use of structure, characters and symbolism is used to share the movie’s moral judgement on the way in which one should traverse through life. We see through David Mills the young and ambitious drive to help the world despite its apparent evil (this can be seen through him modelling Somerset by reading the books necessary to better understand the case). Contrastingly, Somerset who is in the latter part of his career is quitting his job to move elsewhere. Somerset tells himself that he just wants a change of life, however David (who can be seen as a younger version of himself) exposes him to the reality that he has lost a mentality that fights for the good of the world rather than accepting the notion the crime is inevitable and will never stop. David never fails to tell Somerset the objective truth regardless of its consequences (which explains why at first Somerset does not want to be associated with Pitt as he leaves Somerset vunerable to exposure. However, Somerset later takes a liking to Pitt and learns from his harsh truths). This can be consolidated through the symbol of the clock and the ever present theme of time. In the beginning of the movie, whilst Somerset is still wanting to retire the clock operates as a symbol of his time left as an inspector and the slow rise in volume parallels its increasing urgency. Later on in the movie (after David exposes Somerset), Somerset dramatically throws the clock symbolising the protagonist taking back the responsibility and burden of helping the world around him and consequently himself. This behaviour can also be seen in David in the early stages of the movie with his (as previously mentioned) harsh but truthful talks. Despite the consequences it could bring, David takes the burden to help those around him and say it like it is. The structure leads to the climatic ending where both characters in entirely contrasting points of morality are faced with a choice. Somerset (who chooses correctly) finds the head of David’s wife in a box and decides to attempt to calm David down in an effort to help him. Conversely, after a dramatic sequence of shots, it is made personal with David, as he finds out his wife has been one of the victims of the killer. David subsequently struggles with the ultimate choice of whether to choose to fight for the good in the world, or join the evil and kill John Doe (fulfilling the seventh deadly sin: wrath). David ultimately shoots the John, and thus conforms to the nihilism that is the physical embodiment of the killer. The movie shows nihilism in the face of an evil world to be cowardly and out right wrong, as David ends up arrested, and likewise the killer dead. Lastly, Somerset addresses a profound quote which says “the world is a fine place and worth fighting for” Somerset disagrees with the first part and agrees with the latter. Somerset who is shown to be reserved, gets to like David as it can only be assumed that David resembles Somerset’s former self. He sees the ambition and strive to help the world which allows him to reconnect with that morality. The plot therefore shows that the evils of the world will get you down, but only you can choose the painful but fruitful task to get back up, and to keep fighting for the good. This is shown to be a very serious task that must be approached with the upmost caution. Fighting the devil is no easy task and it can irreversibly damage the spirit (as we see with David). Furthermore, the references to literature such as Paradise lost and Chaucer’s Canterbury tales only consolidate these arguments. Also the symbolism of the killer’s room (a cross but in red light - the colour of the devil); all the Christmas trees hanging down from the ceiling in John’s room (the imagery of the birth of Christ which is falling (representing hell)). These all represent the killer’s mindset of damnation that subsequently leads to his death. Despite John being well read and smart, it does not mean he cannot cause his own damnation through nihilism. Thus, take this as a warning to keep your own values in check. Whatever happens you must make the decision to fight for good, and not to fall victim to evil.

This movie def rocked my generation people saw it & left the theater just blown out wanting so bad to talk about it. I remember all us kids wanted to read Canterbury tales dante's inferno & it had the 7 deadly sins . Any movie that adapts religion adds a great mystery. Same with raiders & the ark of the covenant. Its also interesting they dont ever tell us what big city it is.

I disagree with your opinion of the ending, I feel that had to happen. The whole movie is set up for John Doe to realize if he’s right or not and the only way for him to find that out is for him to die. And the only way to prove it to the audience is to show something that looks good and innocent sin. And for that to happen detective mills sin has to be brought out, he has to brought to a place (mentally) where something so deep to an individual, such as a sin, can come out. As fucked up as it may be I just don’t see how this movie could have been done in any other way

This film did an excellent job of developing characters. At some points it even feels like they’re feeding the information about them straight down your throat. The scene where mills is saying he shot a guy, yet keeps exclaiming “what the fuck was his name!?”. Speaks for itself what kinda guy he is. They show the contrast between mills and Somerset. It is pretty obvious about a third of the way in they are opposites. It saves so much time to develop each character by making them have opposite traits. Once you know one you know the other. The writing is so good because there’s some scenes where it’s almost poetic. They develop the two protagonists strengths and weaknesses so well. For example, Somerset will typically mention a stubborn but very sensible idea then mills will talk shit about it. But then the boss will interrupt and tell him to shut up. That right there just shows exactly what they’re both like.

I had a good time making this one. Hopefully it shows and my voice isn’t too terrible this go around. Thanks for watching.

I'm so glad you manage to get this up!

Great analysis. The rain audio in the background was a nice touch.

And the rainfall sound - very relaxing, thanks.

I just watched this for the first time last night, and I am also a huge fan of the saw series. WHY WASN'T THIS RECOMMENDED TO ME SOONER?!

A masterpiece. Simple as that

Great to have a second chance.

glad its back up. everytime i went to watch it was claimed

I loved this movie and I'm so happy you explained it! ❤️

Thanks for reuploading!

Nice job, man. Your analysis is fantastic and captivating. Keep up the great work.

You definitely deserve more subscribers I really appreciate the time you put into your work.

Bro you can drop a video every six years I’m still gonna check, Still crazy dope

This is the 3rd time I come to see this! I love this video man! Thank you. And Seven is my favorite movie!

YES another What It All Meant video!!!!

Great analysis, and great channel. Thank you very much for discovery. Gonna watch all of the videos.

Loved the sound effects of the rain and train in the backround 👍 Great video

Another thing that makes the ending such a twist is the sudden weather improvement. It goes from being dark, rainy, and dreary all throughout, and then once John Doe arrives, the weather is sunshine and bright. You're naturally used to sunshine being associated with a happy ending, and that's another reason the ending is absolutely shocking

I've probably watched this move twenty times over the years, and I never considered many of the points you brought up. great video!

loved the raining sounds, they go so well

I was surprised, how I had missed this movie for so long. I never watched it because it was an old movie, until I came across a utuber who recommended it stating “ if you haven’t seen Seven you haven’t see anything” low and behold one night out of boredom I watched it, as soon as the title music began playing with the “hand writing and paper sewing scenes etc” I got hooked and believe me I love this genre of movies, but this movie tops my list for as long as I will live. I have never ever seen anything like it in its class alone. I have watched everything along its class/ like it but this movie beats everything and I can say it alway will. It’s one of the bestest movies of this era.

Having rain falling throughout most of the movie really set the tone of this city and just made it feel filthy and/or dreary. I felt the same way when I watched Breaking Bad, not that there was rain throughout the show, but I just felt dirty about the plot and how everything played out; gross feeling, but genuinely piques my interest and have watched both this movie and that series numerous times. Well written all around.

12:01 nice edit

Thank you for this video.

Last time I was this early the video was still up

Long suspected that Somerset and John Doe were essentially of the same mindset.

Good and unique analysis. Keep up your good work

Cool, I can actually watch this now

Leaving this comment before watching he video, so I keep my initial thoughts focused. I’m no cinematic scholar, but the fact that it was dark, wet, and dreary, during the vast majority of the movie says that the city and the shit going on within in it is a shitty, filthy cesspool. The sun shine’s brightly in the final scene, which, seems to me, represents that its all about to be gone once Doe is blasted. In fact, it’s 7:01, another indicator that the 7 deadly sin murders are about to come to a close. There’s also a clear dichotomy going on between Mills and Somerset. Somerset, the pessimist, is trying to ascend his way out of hell (the city and crime), while Mills, the naive optimist, unwittingly wants to descend into it (he specifically wants a transfer into the city). Mills has a generally positive view on life and his work, yet he ends up being the one who succumbs to the final deadly sin of wrath, which completes Doe’s masterpiece.

in real life, this would be called "suicide by cop"

Blew my mind when it came out

I tried to watch this video like 20 times when it originally came out

Departure from God’s love is the common nature of all sin; and when the departure from this love was associated with a desire to progress in the direction of a selfishly appointed end, rather than of the end divinely appointed, this was the common nature of the primal sin of the world-spirit and of humanity. -Oswald Chambers

That's interesting what you said about the glass! I always thought it was a bit of a lightbulb moment in his head, as he realises based on what the wife had told him a few scenes prior that they hadn't yet seen what they should have seen (the house shaking due to the subway, and only being shown the place in 5 minute intervals so they hadn't seen that yet until afterwards). This links in with his realisation in the case of the eyes being painted over representing something that was yet to be seen. Yours makes much more sense though, and highlights that this film is about the characters, not the policework

could you please make videos on you were never really here, mullholand drive and the prestige ...or atleast on any one of them....I really like the way you show the whole theme and ideology of a movie through characters and their behaviours.

Mills reminds me of Hamlet in a way. Both idealistic and determined to right the wrongs around him only to be destroyed by his own choices in the end.

I'm a true crime case follower and this movie was ahead of its time!

Was Seven and Constantine filmed in the same location? Like that bowling alley during the chase scene? Looked familiar 🤷‍♀️ oh and very interesting video. Really had some thought provoking points 👏

Brilliant.

The 90s was the best decade for film

I never noticed the part where Somerset looks at his glass strangely cos it’s not in a actual wine glass …….nice touch

Great video! I subscribed

I really enjoyed your video.

10:01 Hang on, isn’t that the prison from the 102 Dalmatians trailer?

This movie was before it's time.

Does anyone else remember seeing the top of Gwyneth's head in the box?? I swear I do... It's not there anymore.

I'm just here because of the batman movie

Good video!

Excellent.

I like to think of this as the gritty western answer Justice and the east version is death note

I think you missed the scenes where somerset and mills throw a knife to the wall, on somerset's was a secuence that followed mills with his wife in bed trying to portray that they were the same man at some point and by the end mills would became hopeless

So what you are saying is that we need to purge this land of sin?? Ok. Great video.

Knows anyone is there not an other older version of this movie existing? Pls answer, Thanks.

They’re all deadly. 1 John 1:8-10 2 Peter 3:9

The thought that I still cant get out of my head is when John Doe gives himself up to the precinct and all the blood covering him on his shirt, isn't his blood.. Disturbs me beyond belief.

Do The Conversation sometime

I better not be tripping but I swear that's Adam Driver at 11:24

Spot on

Jiddu Krishnamurtti believed in copyrighting music and movies 👍🏽

This movie is classic

Think of it this way while you rewatch the movie. Dante's inferno. Freeman is that of vergil leading pit layer to layer. I feel Freeman was in on it. He was always the one finding the clues when no one else could often times with ease. His thought process is that of john doe just he didn't kill them but i feel he was the one that picked them. Due to his reach with his job and feeling nothing is never enough. It was all planned and freeman would go over their to his partners place often gaining knowledge of his wife who would relay that knowledge to john doe as to not be surprised. Rewatch it with the mind set freeman is working with john doe and they both hating sin. While john doe was setting up the works of art. Freeman much like vergil was guiding him through the layers.

This is a theater in your mind movie as you only see the aftermath of all but one of the sins and even then that death is pretty tame compared to the others (he doesn’t suffer unlike the other victims, John Doe is a sadist who thinks he is sent from God)

Fun fact; Denzel washington turned this movie down.

somerset was the head behind everything ...

Thank you for NOT ignoring Kevin Spacey.

Good Morning Tom

You are insightful, but Mills chose this assignment, and not because he didn't deserve it. That fact might skew most of your theory...although, Mills could embody pride, but at the end, he almost embodied ALL of the 7 deadly sins. Ultimately, Mills fulfilled vengeance....and vengeance, along with all of the other sins prove why the sins are what they are....they are a waste, and at the end of the movie, even a righteous vengeance will not reassemble Mills wife's head to her body...

Moral of the story: kevin spacey is insane

What I noticed too were the times they enter spaces. They are cavernous. The apartments where Victor and John Doe live are a series of interconnected rooms. This adds to the atmosphere. A simple but effective mise en scène which reflects the depth of John’s actions.

Well analysed man

Nightlust

I love how we have no idea what city they are in.And from summerset its a horrible almost post apocalyptic nightmare of a city.Its Dirty loud constant rain and dangerous.The city itself is a character but it seems unfamiliar but familiar at the same time over populated with crazy disgusting people.I love how we have no clue where they are.No other film got the environment so perfect for the story they were telling.I wish mivies now would stop depending on green screens cgi environments.

Kevin Spacey. Kevin Spacey. Kevin Spacey!

🦁🙋🏻‍♂️HEY FIVE!

Why is it raining

Why was mills arrested

Im here because I think I missed something. Everyone told me what a great movie it was and that it has a really nice twist and stuff, and I found it riveting most of the movie but ultimately the ending was really dull to me and I saw it coming from a mile away and that really upset me because I don't tend to be the person who does. But I figured there must be something more to it that Im just to dumb to understand, hopefully this helps me put the movie into prospection

Awsome

I’ve tried so many times talking about Mills character to people and yet they still stubbornly latch onto the idea that he’s a clear-cut protagonist alongside Somerset. I guess it’s more comfortable for them to label him a protagonist..

12:20 apathy

2:40 No you're not.

That's not a sense of entitlement.

whats the fascination with the gore.. we dont see the killings but we see evidence of the killings.. we choose to watch the movie knowing whats in it.. do we have some weird morbid fetish with seeing the results of violence without seeing the actual violence? are we inquisitive as a detective into solving the crime? do i sound like your high school teacher?

Jon Doe envied a normal life. Kind of sad really.