There are some movies in life that are truly original, and Seven is one of those movies. Only a handful present a serial killer with such grimness and vivid detail, and create a world that is so dark it is hard to believe it is realistic, yet at the same time you feel it is realistic. Seven is one of those movies.

Seven is about a serial killer who is killing his victims after the seven deadly sins. The detectives following his murders soon catch onto what he is doing and they realize that the man wants to be caught, but not before he finishes his mission.

You know that Seven is not going to be lighthearted within the first five minutes as the first victim is found, strapped to a chair with his veins as dark as night to day against his skin. The movie doesn't let up for a minute in tone as director David Fincher (Fight Club) takes us on a journey into the mind of a madman as he kills each victim with grotesque detail.

A realistic movie cannot touch base without good actors, and Seven has them. Morgan Freeman, who brings such life to every movie he has been in, leads the way with a controlling performance of a strict but likeable character. Brad Pitt is the ambitious young cop trying to make a name for himself, and this is his best movie to date. Gwenyth Paltrow plays Pitt's wife, and while she has a smaller role she has a strong role. And then there's Kevin Spacey, who's won two Oscars to date, as John Doe; he plays a psychopath more memorable than John Malkovich's in In the Line of Fire.

Some people do not like this movie because how graphic it is, but that makes it all the more mesmerizing to watch. The more you watch it the more you want the killer to get caught, and when he does, you're relieved. But it's not over yet. Seven has one of the craziest, stupefying, memorable, and best endings ever in the history of cinema, something that will leave you breathless. I didn't see it coming the first time and neither will you.

David Fincher's vivid direction, Walker's terrific script, and a suspenseful and intelligent script makes Seven one of the best serial killer movies ever. It's hard to watch again and again, but everyone has to see this movie.

Review by Erik Samdahl unless otherwise indicated.