Essay About Detective Mills And Actual Murder

English 101 – one Hundred and Twenty Seven Minutes of Horror
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Brittany Revel
David Willis
English 101
7 October 2011
One Hundred and Twenty Se7en Minutes of Horror
According to Websters dictionary horror can be defined as the quality of inspiring
intense dread or dismay, but the serial killer in the 1995 film Se7en takes horror to new
heights. Detective Mills and Somerset, with the usual sound of dread in their voices, discuss
what few facts they know about the crime scene they are about to investigate. As they walk
through the door of an old apartment building, suddenly a multitude of roaches scatter across
the room. Detective Mills follows with a sarcastic comment “Better Homes and Gardens”
As they walk further into the room they see an oversized man face down in a plate of
spaghetti, who has been the victim of a heinous crime. Unsure of who is responsible or why,
the detectives conclude that the victim was force fed to death. This is only the beginning of
the suspense, mind games, and horror that unfolds throughout this movie.
This scene is a good example of why Se7en fits into the horror genre. The gruesome
crime scene leaves the viewer horrified. The detectives go from scene to scene uncovering
“John Does” victims, not knowing who will be next or why. This horror film leaves the
gruesome killings to the viewers imagination, not seeing the actual murder, but only the
aftermath. One would think this would take away from the thrill, but it keeps you on the edge
of your seat, wanting to know what happens next.
Detective Lt. William Somerset is one week away from retirement, as weary as he is he
stays on to train his replacement the ambitious young detective, David Mills.
Uncharacteristically these two are not at odds playing good cop bad cop. They are drawn
together and form an unusual bond as they are on the hunt for a serial killer. Tracy Mills is
the young innocent wife of Mills. She was reluctant about moving to the city, but did so for
her husbands advancement in his career. She brings life to the movie and hope for the
future. This is a staunch contrast to the dark visual elements surrounding the setting of the
unknown metropolitan city where the crimes unfold. The city appears to be dark and dirty
throughout the movie until the end scene.
John Doe is a stereotypical serial killer in a psychological thriller, who uses mind games
not only on the victims but the detectives as well. As the horror of this crime drama evolves,
the detectives realize they are dealing with an intelligent, complex serial killer, who is
choosing his victims based on the seven deadly sins; pride, greed, wrath, sloth, lust, envy and
gluttony. Who will be chosen next? The clues left behind by John Doe gave a hint to what
murder would follow. The murders continue and the detectives stay one step behind John
Doe. “If we catch John Doe and he turns out to be the devil, I mean if hes Satan himself, that
might live up to our expectations, but hes not the devil. Hes just a man, “Detective Mills
adds as he grows more disheartened.
Worried by her husbands obsession of the case, Tracey Mills sets up a meeting with her
new confidant Somerset. They meet at a restaurant near her apartment. At the meeting she
reveals she is pregnant and has yet to tell her husband. Somerset