Common Sense Media Review
Grim, slick, shocking thriller. Older teens only.
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Seven
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 21 parent reviews
Based on 74 kid reviews
Kids say this is an incredibly disturbing yet well-crafted film that explores dark themes through the lens of a serial killer targeting victims based on the Seven Deadly Sins. While many reviewers praise the cinematography and performances, they caution that due to graphic violence, disturbing content, and mature themes, it's most suitable for older teens and adults who can handle intense psychological thrillers.
- dark themes
- graphic violence
- intense psychological
- suitable for older teens
- exceptional performances
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
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.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
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?
Movie Details
- In theaters : January 1, 1995
- On DVD or streaming : June 7, 2001
- Cast : Brad Pitt , Gwyneth Paltrow , Morgan Freeman
- Director : David Fincher
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Warner Bros.
- Genre : Drama
- Run time : 127 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : grisly afterviews of horrific and bizarre killings, and for strong language.
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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