Se7en (1995)

Se7en parents guide

Extreme gore, which is more than most R titles carry. Beyond that, real scares and a jolt or two.

Scare

Properly scary

Frightening, not just tense.

Jump scares

A couple

One or two sudden jolts.

Gore

Extreme gore

Our top level for gore.

Violence

Brutal violence

Our top level for violence.

Sex and nudity

Mild

Mild means innuendo, or sex implied off screen, with no nudity.

Language

Strong

Frequent strong profanity or slurs.

How we rate: an AI reads what is known about each title and tags it 0 to 3; we check the tags against a hand-rated set and correct them by hand when readers tell us. Estimates, not a scene-by-scene review. Spot a mistake? Tell us.

Three questions

Is Se7en scary?

Yes, properly. Se7en is the real thing without being an endurance test.

How gory is Se7en?

Extreme gore and brutal violence. If graphic gore is a dealbreaker, skip it.

What is Se7en rated, and is it OK for kids?

Real scares, brutal violence and frequent strong language. The R is earned, so not for kids.

What is Se7en about?

Two homicide detectives are on a desperate hunt for a serial killer whose crimes are based on the "seven deadly sins" in this dark and haunting film that takes viewers from the tortured remains of one victim to the next. The seasoned Det. Somerset researches each sin in an effort to get inside the killer's mind, while his novice partner, Mills, scoffs at his efforts to unravel the case.

Cast and crew

More like Se7en

• The Silence of the Lambs (1991)Properly scary · graphic gore · strong violence · emotionally devastatingA brilliant, imprisoned psychopath offers chilling insights into a serial killer's mind, if a young agent dares to listen.
• The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)Gritty · graphic gore · strong violence · emotionally devastatingA disgraced journalist and a punk hacker uncover immense corruption in a bleak, gritty mystery.
• Eastern Promises (2007)Gritty · graphic gore · brutal violence · emotionally devastatingA midwife uncovers a brutal criminal underworld while protecting a newborn caught in its crosshairs.
• Chinatown (1974)Gritty · light gore · strong violence · emotionally devastatingA private eye navigates sun-drenched 1930s Los Angeles, uncovering a pulpy web of crime and deceit.
• L.A. Confidential (1997)Gritty · graphic gore · brutal violence · emotionally heavyThree Los Angeles detectives navigate 1950s corruption and pulpy violence to expose a dark conspiracy.
• Zodiac (2007)Suspenseful · light gore · strong violence · emotionally heavyJournalists and an amateur cartoonist obsess over an elusive serial killer, even as the public forgets.
• Shutter Island (2010)Suspenseful · light gore · strong violence · emotionally devastatingA marshal's investigation into a missing patient unravels amidst chilling visions and a pervasive sense of dread.
• Psycho (1960)Properly scary · light gore · strong violence · emotionally heavyA woman on the run finds a chilling, atmospheric motel where dread steadily builds to a shocking twist.

Se7en is on our Halloween, Goriest, Most violent, Noir and neo-noir and 1990s lists.

More like this feeling

Prompts we typed into CouchRot, and the lists that share its tags.

• “a thriller with a twist, no spoilers”
• “a horror movie that's actually scary”
• “scary but not gory”