Tools for this page
Print

Seven

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

    Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version
    Not age appropriate for kids under 16, age appropriate for kids over 17; suggested age 16.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Grim, slick, shocking thriller. Older teens only.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 16–17

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Though justice is said to be "worth fighting for," the world is so bleak and full of horror that this doesn't seem believable.
  • Violence:

    The gory aftermath (and allusions to) horrific torture and murder. Gunshots. Off-screen murder. Rape.
  • Sex:

    References to prostitution, sex.
  • Language:

    Lots of swearing.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Seven was written by Elliot Panek

Parents need to know that this film contains graphic depictions of the aftermath of grisly murders involving the seven deadly sins. While none of this takes place on-screen, the vivid descriptions prove to be nearly as chilling. For example, an obese man is forced to eat until his stomach bursts. A man is forced to kill a prostitute by stabbing her reproductive organs with an 8-inch knife. A beauty queen's face is cut off. A lawyer must cut out his own stomach. A police officer's pregnant wife is beheaded. In the end, the line between good and evil is blurred, with evil more or less coming out on top.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about horror movies. How is this movie different than a slasher film? What makes it disturbing? Is it any less chilling because the violence is not shown on screen?
Did this review help you decide?

Are you going to see it?

Have you seen it? Review It!

More on Seven

What’s the Story?

SEVEN combines horror and film noir genres, with overconfident rookie David Mills (Brad Pitt) as the doomed detective of the noir tradition, and book veteran William Somerset (Morgan Freeman) as the desexualized, pedantic survivor familiar to slasher movie fans. The story follows the archetypal pair as they wind their way through a dark world of urban violence in search of a serial killer (Kevin Spacey). Mills and Somerset conclude that each murder corresponds to one of the seven deadly sins from the Bible, and that the killer is trying to preach his message of religious morality through his murders and the press they receive. Even after being willfully apprehended, the killer has one final trick up his sleeve -- a horrific gesture designed to goad Mills into crossing the line between lawful justice and sinful vengeance.

Is It Any Good?

Dark, disturbing and occasionally gory, Seven is a psychological thriller that, along with Chinatown, is among the bleakest films in mainstream cinema history.

The murders are not shown on screen, but the film has a morbid fascination with the pain inflicted on the victims. And it depicts a dark universe, where the lines between good and evil are blurred. There's no question that it aims to be more philosophical than other detective/horror films (namely The Silence of the Lambs). Attempts at deeper meaning might be pretentious or profound, depending on how serious you can take Brad Pitt as an actor.

Movie Details

Studio: Warner Bros., Director: David Fincher
Run time: 127 minutes
Theatrical release: 01/01/1995, DVD release: 06/07/2001
MPAA Rating: R for grisly afterviews of horrific and bizarre killings, and for strong language.

Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Our Members Say

Have you seen it? Review It!

What did you think about Seven?

or

to post a review

See all 6 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    I honestly think if you let your 8 or 9 year old watch this movie, they won't understand it at all. The only thing they'll see is the violence, but they won't understand the psychological points in this movie, or the ending. I say if your kids can handle Saw, & are mature enough to know what's right & wrong I say there's nothing wrong with them watching this movie. Awsome movie by the way...

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 4.0

    good movie

    this is about the seven sins it is very good and one of brad pitts bbest movies

  3. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Illinois
    I rate this title iffy for age 16 and give it 3.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    Intriguing and Gross, with a Good-Bad Ending

    This was a fine film. It has three novel twists which I didn't see coming. The performances are very well done. Parents: Almost all murders are off-screen, but the mutilated bodies are shown on-screen many, many times (mostly through photos repeatedly being seen). There are two startling jump scenes (one involving a corpse and another a gun); there is also an intense chase sequence which ends in injury. The ending is what prevented me from buying this. Now, it wasn't a bad ending; it was a good-bad ending. godd as in it was well-done with a good twist that took me by storm(!); the bad being it was very dark and very sad. If you don't like dark endings, this is NOT the movie for you. P.S., you'll never look at air freshners the same again!

  4. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 5.0

  5. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it 4.0

    Interesting concept with good acting

    Content flags include some strange distorted/bloodied bodies, which some people will find disturbing. Also, there is some language to contend with and the general idea of a murderer using the seven deadly sins as assassination tools will be enough to upset people.

  6. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 4.0

    modern day classic

    great great movie, i do think this movie was the reason for saw 1 and 2, this movie is awesome, never shows the grusome deaths, its purely fantastic,even though it dosent show anything its still horryfying, expertly plotted, great acting, not reccomended for kids under 8

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • Now Playing

    Avatar

    Avatar

    Action-heavy epic has dazzling effects, familiar story.

  • Advice for Parents

    Tips for a Healthy Media Diet

    Tips for a Healthy Media Diet

    New gadget gifts? Get help setting limits.

  • Book of the Week

    Beautiful Creatures

    Beautiful Creatures

    Dreamy, lyrical supernatural Southern romance.

  • Member Buzz

    Sending Mom a TXT

    Sending Mom a TXT

    Is it easier for parents to communicate with their kids via text?

  • Download This

    Pickin' & Grinnin': Great Folk Songs for Kids

    Pickin' & Grinnin': Great Folk Songs for Kids

    Fantastic folk favorites perfect for family road trips.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends

This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy
Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
I'm already a Common Sense member.
Kids under 13 must use a screen name