Se7en is a crime/ detective story that follows a retiring detective, Detective Somerset (Morgan Freeman), and his replacement, Detective Mills (Brad Pitt), together investigating a series of linked murders inspired by the seven deadly sins. Within the movie there is a strange similarity that I noticed between Detective Somerset and John Doe (Kevin Spacey).
John Doe's relationship with Detective Somerset's character shows a certain connection that causes us to question who John Doe really is and his role in this movie. Doe and Somerset are almost mirror images of views and traits. Both men are educated, and have an appreciation for libraries and great literature. Also the men have a similar hatred for the city where they both live. Both of them recognize the ugliness of their world, and both try to change it in their own way (Doe kills, Somerset solves crimes). Even the characters' dialogues are similar to each other's. The similarities between Doe and Somerset are numerous throughout the film, but these connections lead me to ask the question, “why?" Why would Fincher create a seemingly psychotic murderer that had the same views and traits as a likeable and important character? Why?
With Doe’s and Somerset’s connection it also made me see how John Doe and Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt), from Fight Club, are also similar. They both see the wrong in things; Doe how much people sin and how much evil there is, and Tyler is all anti-consumerism. They both go forth and do their thing to fix the problem. Doe becomes a serial killer and links all his killings to the 7 deadly sins. Tyler starts a cult, “Fight Club”, and creates Project Mayhem, a plan to blows up all the major credit card companies in the city. Another thing is they both seem to be everywhere and nowhere throughout both movies. Last (SPOILER ALERT DO NOT READ IF YOU WANT TO BE SPOILED) they both get killed because of what they were both fighting for the whole movie.
