Rated 4.5 out of 5 The most iconic thriller of the 90s returns to cinemas and it’s more impressive than ever

The film that took Brad Pitt to the top of Hollywood. David Fincher’s coup (and his first effort in his own words, given that he’s still rejecting the nevertheless dishonorable Alien 3 ). Opening credits sound “close” by Nine Inch Nails. The absolutely unstoppable plan of his serial killer, which culminates in a finale so intense and brutal that many are convinced that they saw an image that does not appear on the screen.

What has yet to be said or written about Se7en, a thriller that is both iconic and remarkable, traces of which can still be seen today, even in the gray and rainy Gotham City of Matt Reeves’ Batman? If it took a little longer for Fight Club, David Fincher and Brad Pitt’s next film, to gain the status it has today, the shockwaves of David’s investigation into Mills and retired William Somerset (Morgan Freeman) are immediate.

Since its release in US theaters on September 22, 1995, audiences interested in this story of a serial killer whose murders echo the Seven Deadly Sins have been quick to engage. In terms of atmosphere, the twisted script of Andrew Kevin Walker, the precision of David Fincher’s direction or the charisma and beauty of Brad Pitt, which sharply contrasts with the sticky and nihilistic side of the whole, in front of which some admit they feel dirty. true

palpable discomfort

Looking back today, Se7en might not be as insufferable as we remember. No doubt, because Saw (which it was clearly inspired by) and other hostel, torture porn champions, made it a model for proposition and behind the camera. However, it leaves an impression not so much thanks to its shocking images, electric shocks, that leaves it from the beginning to the end.

And which, before the aforementioned finale, and which many enjoy quoting when a large gift package needs to be opened, culminates notably in the reveal of the killer’s face, which goes against the grain of this obligatory passage of gender. But that’s why Se7en holds its place in film history: mixing a serial killer plot (with Silence of the Lambs back in vogue) with film noir codes (Rain on the Head) and wrapping them in a distinct and, at the time, innovative aesthetic.

Released in French cinemas on January 31, 1996, Se7en has not lost steam as it prepares to celebrate its thirtieth anniversary. And every film that tried to follow in its toes only strengthened its status as a reference, and David Fincher himself did his best to distance himself from it every time he dipped back into the thriller genre (including The Last Assassin, which marked his reunion with Andrew (with Kevin Walker), undoubtedly knows that the comparison will not work in his favor.

Total immersion

If you saw it in theaters when it was released, its memory is certainly still fresh in your mind. And if your first viewing was on the big screen, you may not have actually seen Se7en. But its release, from January 22, will allow you to (re)discover it, more impressive than ever. Because it has been restored so that its dirt is even more beautiful and projected in IMAX theaters in France.

Very popular with Christopher Nolan, who no longer swears, this format encourages immersion in a feature film, and it couldn’t be more appropriate in this case, as David Fincher’s film owes part of its charm to the tenfold atmosphere. in IMAX. You may risk wearing your jacket, including the hood, because of the rain on the screen, but tell yourself that despite the discomfort you may feel during the session, this is a nice gift for yourself this birthday.