Matisse van Rossum’s review published on Letterboxd:
Se7en (or what I have affectionately been referring to as Se-seven-en) has quickly skyrocketed its way up to being one of my all time favorite crime dramas (not cop dramas, there is a difference!) and sits alongside Silence of the Lambs. It's got everything a good crime drama needs: a well thought out, engaging story, convincing relatable characters, and most importantly, atmosphere. And boy, oh boy does Se7en have atmosphere. I love the look of classic films noir and more modern neo-noir films such as Se7en (god damn, typing that title is starting to become a headache). Everything is so gritty and visceral and each locale has its own distinct color. The play of light and shadows is beautiful, and while I wouldn't quite call it chiaroscuro, it's incredibly effective and creating a dark, oily atmosphere. Even when the characters are not at a crime scene, it's almost like you can feel the killer's touch and presence at all times, just in the way the film looks. Darius Khondji is a master of cinematography, and his attention to detail is staggering. Every single shot is powerful and filled with intricate symbolism. I love the way he used the camera to give John Doe the subtle appearance of a spider, with Mills and Somerset caught in his web.
I could babble on about everything I loved about the cinematography, but since I mentioned the characters, I think I'll move on to the cast. The cast is absolutely excellent. Each character has his (or her, in the case of Gwyneth Paltrow) own depth, and all of the actors do a wonderful job of fleshing out their characters on screen. There is excellent dichotomy between Somerset and Mills (who I promised a friend I would call Detective Twink in this review, so there it is Sydney) and Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt are perfect in their respective roles. While Mills is young, brash, rough around the edges, and quick to anger, Somerset is calm, intellectual, and almost too patient. David Fincher doesn't try to create the impression that either of these characters are perfect, and their flaws complement each other perfectly. Kevin Spacey is absolutely superb as John Doe, making him one of the best villains of the 90's. He doesn't get a lot of screen time, but he makes good use out of what he has, and milks every last drop of effect that he can from his scenes, which are incredibly powerful.
Se7en is an incredibly original film, and while it does utilize some common cliches of crime dramas, it doesn't feel at all contrived or indulgent. It creates a dark, disturbing, and bleak world that it can really call its own and it's easy to get all caught up in it. Overall, and incredibly effective and powerful film that I look forward to watching multiple times in the future.