What makes a thriller and how is this evident in se7en? A macro/ micro analysis of se7en (David Fincher)
In this essay I am going to explain what makes a thriller, which are the conventions and I am going to show evidence of the conventions using the film se7en. I will also be looking at the macro elements of the films and how the micro elements have been represented throughout the film.
The production Company that made the film 'se7en' was New Line Cinema, which is a visionary film company. The film was made in 1996 and directed by David Fincher; David Fincher has also made films such as Alien, the game, fight club, panic room, zodiac and the curious case of Benjamin Button. Most of the films that he has made are very similar to each other and they fit in to the same film genre, which is thriller. The main actors in the film 'se7en' are, Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman, both stars making a big difference to the film as it attracts a wide range of audience.
'Se7en' came in at number nine in the box office rating and its gross amount was $100,125,643. It has made $13,949,807 in the opening theatres. It had received lots of good critics. Also David Fincher has similar actors acting in various movies made by him which attracts the target audience.
The target audience of this film are male and over the age of 18. The reason I think this is because the two male protagonists of the film, detective Mill and William Somerset are over the age of 20 connoting the language will be mature and formal so the audience should be able to understand the film. Even though the target audience is males it also appeals to the female gender as Detective Mills is played by Brad Pit who is visually a handsome guy which means his fans from other movies he has made will also want to watch this. Also detective Somerset is play by the actor Morgan freeman who is very famous, he also will attract female fans of his age but In particularly males who look up to him as an idol or some sort of role model. The actual certificate for the film is 18. This is because of the content of the film; it includes images for example a 12 year old wouldn’t be able to see.
The narrative of this film is linear; it has a start, middle and an ending in the exact order. The evident of it being linear is shown through the days of the week coming up connoting that the next day is here. One of the narrative techniques that have been used a lot in the film is restriction connoting there’s something going on as the director is hiding it. Having restrictions doesn’t allow the audience to see the bigger picture so it builds up the tension; this also makes the audience question themselves and keeps them thinking and wondering what going to happen next? Which is one of the intensions of a thriller. Furthermore the film se7en uses Todorov’s theory, which is when there is equilibrium disequilibrium, attempted repair then a new equilibrium. The evident of it being used is when both the detectives Mills and Somerset are getting ready to go to work; this is the equilibrium. Then the first murder take place causing the disruption; the disequilibrium. The attempted repair take place when the antagonist has been caught and finally at the end of the film when the antagonist is killed and detective Mill find out his wife Tracy is dead the new equilibrium starts.
A thriller is a type of genre that makes the audiences tenses and suspicious; wondering what’s going to happen next? The films se7en is a thriller/ crime investigation, which is clearly pointed out by the name of the main characters ‘ detective Mills and Somerset. The setting of the film is dark and has a lot of dim lighting creating a mysterious atmosphere. The lack of lighting creates a negative mood. The color palettes used are grey, brown and black shades, which create mystery and add to the suspense. The name of the film ‘se7en’ connotes seven things could happen during the film and it does, so it foreshadows what the film is about. 7 murders take place and it’s based on the seven deadly sins. ‘Gluttony, greed, lust, envy, sloth, wrath and pride’ all of these words are the 7 deadly sins and we see these words in the film at least once connoting I significance. The diagetic sound of Detective Mills talking, when he is in the room of the second death creates an image that is foul and disgusting for the audience. Mills talks about the smell of the room connoting a gruesome atmosphere. The codes and conventions of a thriller genre include lots of non-diagetic music or silence, which is there to create suspense and a tense atmosphere. One of the conventions used is the color palette. The word greed was written on the floor in red writing connoting its blood, which signifies death. On day Wednesday there was a warning sign connoting danger ‘keep out’ however the protagonists didn’t connoting they are brave and dominant. This film is a thriller, which is connoted by the setting of the film. I denote dark colours and dim lighting, which is creating a mysterious atmosphere. This is a typical setting for a thriller film. A convention of a thriller usually includes images to pup a point across; near to the end of the film there was a room full of images and whilst it was shown to the viewers there was non-diagetic music playing which was slow and the editing was slow paced connoting the scene was significant and it also created a sense of mystery. A cheap surprise was used on day Thursday, when the ‘dead body’ representing sloth started coughing out of nowhere. Also there were lots of restrictions during this event allowing the viewers only to see what the character saw. Moreover Around the body and the room were lots of car air fresheners connoting the smell in the room is very vile. There is an upside down painting connoting there is something wrong. When the detective takes it down fingerprints are found connoting the film has a sub-genre of investigation as they have to use this to find out where to go next. When John Doe comes out of the prison and is walking towards the car there is a low angle shot, connoting he is dominant and powerful. Another shot used is a bird eye view of the helicopter moving allowing the audience to know where the film is set. There is a Christianity symbol in red, in the antagonists room connoting he Is religious however he could be following Satan.
The main characters are represented as complete opposites of each other. Detective Mills verbal codes are as follows. He wears casual clothing with a leather jacket and has an untidy hairstyle connoting he is a busy man and doesn’t really care about his image. Throughout the film Detective Mills vocabulary contains a lot of swear words such as ‘fuck’ connoting he is uneducated however is a serious determined man; very passionate about his work and also that he is a young detective. On the other hand detective Somerset’s dress code is formal he wears a suit mostly and wears glasses connoting he is an intelligent man and his image matters to him. This signifies that the character of Somerset is a stereotypical. He also shows his intelligent by going to the library and researching on the investigation. The guards at the library know him very well, this connotes he is at the library a lot. The character John Doe is also a main character however he plays the antagonist. When the audience first see him, they see him covered in blood which connotes he is dangerous and the villain of the film. The next time we see him is when he is wearing an orange uniform, this shows a negative representation as it connotes he is a murderer, a criminal as it is only worn by people who have committed acts like he has done. This also makes it easier for the audience to recognise him. John Doe isn’t a stereotypical murderer because he confessed to all his killings. John is a very calm natured person which connotes he could be insane. I think this because he doesn’t shout or scream and thinks what he has done is probably good and always tries to maintain a calm atmosphere around himself. “I’m not special, I was never special” when John Doe says this he says it with a calm manner, this connotes he could be doing this because he was never special.
In conclusion the film ‘Se7en’ shows evident of what makes a thriller. It contains the conventions of a thriller as it creates suspense and tension. The film makes the audience jump by using cheap surprise; restrictions to build up suspense and uses enigma codes to create mystery. All of theses are conventions of a thriller and is shown in ‘Se7en.’
