FAQ for
Se7en (1995) More at IMDbPro »

The following FAQ entries may contain spoilers. Only the biggest ones (if any) will be covered with spoiler tags. Spoiler tags are used sparingly in order to make the page more readable.

For detailed information about the amounts and types of (a) sex and nudity, (b) violence and gore, (c) profanity, (d) alcohol, drugs, and smoking, and (e) frightening and intense scenes in this movie, consult the IMDb Parents Guide for this movie. The Parents Guide for Se7en can be found here.

No. Se7en is based on a script by American screenwriter Andrew Kevin Walker.

The location is purposely not revealed. It's a fictional city of constant rain and urban decay that mirrors the general tone of the film. In an interview with Cinefantastique magazine, however, screenwriter Andrew Kevin Walker stated that the primary influence for the film's screenplay came from his time spent in New York City while trying to make it as a screenwriter. "I didn't like my time in New York," he admitted, "but it's true that if I hadn't lived there I probably wouldn't have written Seven." Consequently, it seems fair to presume they live in NYC, as Tracy mentions to Somerset that she and David had lived "upstate", and few other metropolitan areas speak of "upstate" in the same manner as New York. Also, when Brad and Morgan's characters are in some sort of diner, you can see an advertisement for "New York Pizza."

They are the most deadly vices, according to Pope Gregory the Great in the 6th century. In no particular order, they are Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Wrath, Envy, and Pride. Lust may be specifically seen as excessive thoughts or desires of a sexual nature, which can manifest as sexual addiction, fornication, adultery, bestiality, rape, perversion, and incest. Gluttony is over-indulgence and over-consumption of anything to the point of waste. Greed (avarice) is the seeking of material gain over spiritual gain. Sloth does not refer to laziness, but to indifference, of an unwillingness to act, an unwillingness to care. Wrath/rage is inordinate and uncontrolled feelings of hatred and anger. Envy is jealousy. Pride is seen as the most serious sin, from which all others arise; a love of self perverted to hatred and contempt for one's neighbour. There are also Seven Holy Virtues which directly contradict each of the Sins. In parallel order to the sins they oppose, the Seven Holy Virtues are Chastity, Temperance, Charity, Diligence, Patience, Kindness, and Humility.

It was Tracy's head. John Doe kills her, fulfilling the sin of ENVY because he envied Det. Mills' "simple" life. He hoped that in turn Mills would then kill him, fulfilling the final sin, WRATH (which also makes sure John is punished by death for his sin). Mills is technically not punished by death for his sin, but he is obviously left a broken man (which is probably the life he is 'allowed to live', to which John Doe was referring in the car).

The "Gluttony" victim was an unnamed obese man who was forced to eat until his stomach bursts, killing him. The "Greed" victim was Eli Gould, a wealthy lawyer. He was purposely bled to death. The "Sloth" victim was Victor, a notorious paedophile. He was tied to his bed for an entire year, kept at the brink of survival only through the judicious usage of intravenous drugs and medications, the experience of which causes him untold physical anguish and renders him completely insane. He later dies in a local hospital. Incidentally, he once escaped conviction for raping a minor due to the successful efforts of his lawyer, Eli Gould. The "Lust" victim was a prostitute who was raped and killed by a man forced at gunpoint to use a strap-on dildo with blade attachment. The "Pride" victim was a model whose nose was cut off, disfiguring her. She was provided with a telephone (to call an ambulance, hence living life disfigured and scarred) and sleeping pills (to commit suicide and escape the life of disfigurement). She ostensibly chooses the latter option, though the telephone was glued to her hand, implying that choice was removed from the equation.