31 Days of Horror: Se7en (1995)

As the serial killers go, you'd be hard pressed to find one as grim and disturbing as Se7en from director David Fincher.

Se7en has a deranged creativity about it and with such a stellar cast that includes Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman, Fincher weaves the tale of a killer who's MO is that of the seven deadly sins. The film has an intriguing morbidity to it. Although you never actually see the killings, the aftermath is soul-sucking.

The film is gritty, cryptic and has a atmosphere as apocalyptic as it is creepy. Greed, sloth, gluttony, wrath, pride, envy and lust take on new meaning thanks to a killer utterly out of his mind. His lack of mental capacity, yet his Revelations-spouting tendencies makes the killer hopelessly menacing. This serial killer reaches new levels when he shaves off his fingertips to avoid leaving prints. That's simply messed-up.

The intense development simmers in this well written screenplay. Pitt and Freeman play the conflict nicely and deliver solid, focused performances. Kevin Spacey's turn is mind-blowing and demented. Visually, the film is flawless--the scratching opening credits are just a taste of things to come.

Se7en upped the ante in the genre. The concentrated bleakness and nihilism is overwhelming; however, you can't help be fascinated and repulsed as the story unfolds. As sick as gets, you are compelled to watch. Intense and emotionally-wrenching, Se7en lingers in mind long after the movie ends.