The shocking ending of Se7en is part of what makes it so unforgettable, but it was always completely different. Se7en is one of David Fincher’s best movies, and it showcases his flair for the crime genre. Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman both deliver compelling performances as a pair of detectives on the trail of a serial killer, and the strange nature of the murders allows Fincher to deepen his exploration of criminal pathology. The twist ending of Se7en is the perfect culmination to the story, even though it went through several changes during production.
Se7en ends with John Doe executing the final stage of his master plan, as he turns himself in only to reveal that he has already killed Mills’ wife. By committing the sin of envy and manipulating Mills into indulging his wrath, John Doe completes his mission to enact seven killings in the manner of the Bible’s Seven ᴅᴇᴀᴅly Sins. It’s a harrowing and characteristically bleak finale which caps a dark, twisted thriller, but it took a while for Fincher and his team to settle on this idea. There were other ideas in the mix during production, including one that was even more disturbing.
Se7en Was Originally Supposed To End With Detective Somerset Committing The Final Sin
Somerset Was Supposed To Be The One To Kill Doe, Not Mills
One of the rejected endings to Se7en saw Somerset shooting John Doe, rather than trying to talk Mills down. (via The Telegraph) It’s hard to imagine how exactly this would have played out, since it’s a complete reversal of the way Somerset acts in the film’s real ending. Whether it was a symbolic move to deny John Doe his victory, or a way of saving Mills from prosecution, it would have been a shock to see Somerset going from such a rational and cautious character to a killer in the film’s final scene.
While Mills can be quick to let his emotions get the best of him, Somerset is usually the more thoughtful of the two.
In a way, this ending would have been much darker than the ending that eventually made it into Se7en. While Mills can be quick to let his emotions get the best of him, Somerset is usually the more thoughtful of the two. The idea that he too could be corrupted by John Doe’s manipulation suggests that nobody is safe, and that anyone can be driven to egregious sin under the right circumstances. On another level, denying Mills his one moment of poorly-judged catharsis would make his story feel somewhat incomplete, as he can’t even have the consolation of revenge.
There were several other potential endings being tweaked before Fincher settled on the idea of Mills killing John Doe. These endings range from the sanitized Hollywood happy ending of Somerset and Mills rescuing Tracy to the anticlimactic idea of the head in the box belonging to Mills’ dog. Brad Pitt pushed for Se7en‘s ending to remain the way that it is, and it seems as though this was for the best. Although none of these other plans were actually filmed, they could have ruined the entire movie in the very last minute.
Why Se7en’s Actual Ending Is Better Than The Cut Ending
The Real Ending Feels More Complete
Se7en‘s real ending is more poetic than any of the other proposed endings, as Mills is unable to resist his primal urges to take revenge for his wife’s death. The idea that John Doe’s plan was crafted to perfection offers the grim realization that human behavior is all too predictable. Doe’s thesis is that nobody is free from sin. As unhinged as he is, he can predict Mills’ reaction easily. This also brings his skewed vision of the Old Testament full circle, and it frames Se7en‘s moral struggle as the final battle between good and evil, overseen by an omniscient higher power. Having Somerset kill Doe instead would have changed the complexion of the whole story.
As it is, Se7en‘s ending is the kind that can stay with audiences for a long time after the credits roll. While seeing Somerset shoot Doe might have been more shocking in the moment, it wouldn’t have felt as darkly satisfying, and it probably wouldn’t still be talked about as much as Se7en is today. Mills’ arc would feel incomplete, and Somerset’s story would take a drastic turn that doesn’t fit with his character. Fortunately, Fincher got his way, and Se7en is now regarded as a classic crime thriller. A different ending might spoil this reputation.
Source: The Telegraph
