Somerset's Cynicism and Mills's Passion
Somerset's cold principled approach and Mills's passionate intuitionism represent more than mere detective contrast — they pose the fundamental philosophical question of 'the method of realizing justice.' The collision of these two detectives dramatically illustrates the gap between rational justice operating within the bounds of law and instinctive justice that explodes through emotional rage, forming the core narrative axis of the film.
The Clash of Law and Emotion: The Contrasting Views of Justice of Somerset and Mills
The most powerful driving force in Se7en arises from the fundamental clash of attitudes between the two protagonists, William Somerset and David Mills. Somerset, as a seasoned detective nearing retirement, tries to interpret everything within the framework of legal procedure and principle (warrants). Mills, as befits a passionate rookie, leads with emotional intuition and rage when confronting the horror of crime scenes and the killer's malice. This contrast functions throughout the film as the core device posing the question: 'What is justice?'
1. The Planting Point: The First Clash of Principle and Passion
The contrast of the two detectives is clearly established from early in the case. Somerset tries to maintain a kind of distance — expressing reluctance at taking the case as his last assignment. He believes upholding the legal framework is most important. Mills, on the other hand, becomes fully immersed in the case with emotional reactions.
- Somerset's Role: Somerset deeply engages in the investigation, combining scene clues and leading the case based on experience and knowledge, such as finding helpful materials at the library for Mills.
- Mills's Role: Unlike Somerset's cynical attitude, Mills trusts the rage and intuition at the scene's horror. He actively throws himself in to uncover the truth of the case.
This initial conflict was not merely a question of who works harder, but a methodological clash over 'how' to pursue justice.
2. The Recovery Point: The Moments of Crossing Law's Boundaries
The conflict of the two detectives explodes when the case reaches its peak. The most symbolic moment occurs during the process of entering the killer's residence. Somerset holds to the principle 'we need a warrant' and restrains Mills, but Mills kicks the door open, leading with emotion. This scene symbolizes the moment Somerset's belief in prioritizing legal procedure is demolished by Mills's instinct, desperate to miss nothing of the truth at the scene.
This conflict repeats in the final ending as well. Even when the killer turns himself in and everything seems resolved, Mills cannot control his rage. Somerset criticizes such emotional outbursts, but the film finishes by portraying Mills's final act — posing the question of whether expressing rage is right.
3. The Foreshadowing List: The Contrast of Indifference and Rage
The contrast of Somerset and Mills repeats in trivial moments.
- The City's Inflammation: Somerset feels the 'inflammation' of the city itself where all these horrible events occur and prepares for retirement. He tries to distance himself from a world where indifference has become the only means of preserving life.
- The Eruption of Emotion: Mills, on the other hand, cannot adapt to the atmosphere of this indifferent city. He explodes with rage and actively intervenes in the case — appearing like a desperate struggle to prove he is alive.
Somerset spends much time on methods of case resolution, packaged like a reincarnated Sherlock Holmes, but has limits in actually arresting the killer — and the crimes he cannot prevent ultimately lead to the film's bleak ending.
Why It Matters
The contrast of Somerset and Mills is this film's most important philosophical pillar. They are not merely the senior-junior relationship of an investigative team, but the two philosophical positions themselves in opposition over the abstract concept of 'justice.' What Somerset symbolizes is the vast structure of 'system' and 'rule of law,' and what Mills symbolizes is the primal energy of 'human emotion' and 'moral rage.' The film explores the gap that arises when these two forces collide — the domain of humanity's darkest desires that law cannot reach. Thanks to this clash, Se7en could establish itself as a work not merely as a crime thriller but exposing the moral confusion and the danger of indifference faced by modern society.
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The Killer's Disguise: Fingerprints and Photographs
The fingerprints, photographs, and murder journals left by Se7en's killer are not mere traces of crime but a meticulously designed theatrical stage aimed at investigators. The killer uses victims' fingerprints to stage crime scenes and creates an 'orchestration' that subtly deceives the police. This process shows that the killer has an intelligent plan to go beyond mere killing to deliver a grand message about 'justice' and 'truth.'
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Hard-Boiled Aesthetics and Gloomy Visuals
The core identity of Se7en is formed not merely by plot but by the overwhelming visuals of a drab gray cityscape in perpetual rain. This gloomy, oppressive color palette maximizes the hard-boiled crime thriller atmosphere and serves to visually project the moral decay and dark desires inherent in humanity that the characters face.
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The Seven Deadly Sins Serial Murder Structure
The Seven Deadly Sins serial murder structure — the core structure of Se7en — is not merely a crime plot but like a vast 'sermon' symbolizing humanity's fundamental guilt and moral collapse. The way the killer commits murders themed around each sin structures humanity's dark desires and guilt that law and justice cannot capture, posing philosophical questions to the audience.
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Se7en
13 deep dives in total