Se7en Opening Analysis

Se7en opening scene analysis.

The movie “Se7en” was originally released to North America theatres on September 22, 1995. The Director of Se7en David Fincher made a nail bighting dark masterpiece of psychological terror. The basic story of the film is 2 routine cops investigating the murders of a serial killer whom is driven by is obsession of the seven deadly sins and kills the victims in the style that they are perceived as being guilty for. For example a gluttonous man is force-fed to death. Morgan freeman cast as the experienced detective along side his new younger less experienced sidekick played by brad Pitt are both perfectly cast to play these roles moreover the characters they play are typical of the thriller genre. It is set in New York in an urban metropolis. ‘Se7en’ is a traditional thriller and riveting detective story, however there is no other thrillers that are similar and has its own style.

 

In the opening there is a shot of a man shaving off the skin on his fingertips. This isn’t a usual thing to do and instantly provokes the audience to think that there is something strange about the person doing so and wonder why and how it may lead to the further storyline about to be revealed.

This is another shot from the opening; it appears to be someone developing photos. The photo which is being developed appears to be a man dead. This instantly enphasises the fact that it is thriller. It also enphasises the fact that the person doing this come across as a psycho.

In this shot it is an image of someone pulling a needle out there finger. The opening scene doesn’t reveal much about the person who is being portrayed as a psycho and why they’re doing the things they are. However it paints the picture of what kind of a person they are and their mental health. This is a typical convention of a thriller because it wants the audience to start guessing and wondering rather than giving too much information at once to spoil the thrilling side of the film.

In the opening sequence we an establish rather quickly that ‘se7en’ is a thriller due to the music and the images including the credits .It has a creepy eerie feel too it and everything portrayed is quick pace giving it more of a thrilleresque feel to it. The opening integrates with what is happening in the film, however doesn’t give away any of the narrative. And is very quick and flashy making the audience feel confused. Each quick flash imitates death almost like the death flashing before a person’s eye. The typography is very glitch and wonky adding more confusion and disorientation. The use of cinematography shows there are extreme close ups for an unclear view. The shots are also taken from the killers point of view and a lot are taken from above this could show power and control. The use of shadows creates and enigma. Everything in the scene is old fashioned, looks like it could be set in a study or a basement somewhere that could make you feel trapped and surrounded. The whole opening has an eerie feel. The none diegetic music sounds scratchy, which is also used as a sound, affect of a scratching pen. The tempo is fast pace to build tension of the start of the film.