As David Fincher commemorates the re-release of his 1995 classic, he reflects on the industry’s perplexity regarding one of his true-crime films not fitting the mold of Se7en. This critically acclaimed film, which marked a pivotal comeback for Fincher following the setbacks of Alien 3, features Brad Pitt as homicide detective David Mills, who teams up with Morgan Freeman’s seasoned detective William Somerset. The duo embarks on a harrowing quest to apprehend a serial killer who draws inspiration from the seven deadly sins. Almost 30 years after its initial success, Fincher has unveiled a meticulously restored 4K version of Se7en, which debuted in theaters on January 3.
Following the acclaim of Se7en, Fincher established himself as a prominent figure in the thriller genre, directing noteworthy films such as The Game, the American adaptation of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and Netflix’s The Killer. He is also recognized for transforming true stories into cinematic experiences, including The Social Network, Mank, and the investigative series Mindhunter. However, before Mindhunter made its mark on Netflix, Fincher delved into another infamous true story through film.
David Fincher Reflects on Studios Confusing Zodiac with Se7en
“This Isn’t Se7en”
Fincher’s Zodiac, inspired by Robert Graysmith’s books Zodiac and Zodiac Unmasked, recounts the story of investigators and journalists haunted by an unidentified serial killer, responsible for five known murders in the San Francisco Bay Area during the late 1960s. To ensure authenticity, Fincher’s team conducted thorough research, poring over official records and interviewing those involved in the Zodiac investigation.
During a discussion with Variety coinciding with Se7en’s re-release, Fincher shared insights about the mixed reactions from studios that compared Zodiac to his earlier film. When he presented the 2007 production to Warner Bros., he recalled their assertion: “This isn’t Se7en.”Fincher elaborated that his goal was for the audience to experience the weight of a “35-year failed investigation”and how it led the characters to confront their concepts of justice. Below is an excerpt from his commentary:
I do remember on multiple occasions sitting with [executives] Jeff Robinov and Lynn Harris and Marc Evans and Brad Weston and Brad Gray and saying, “This is not Se7en. This is a different thing. We need to feel when we walk out of the movie and go try and find our car that we’ve been through a 35-year investigation.” Now, we want people to enjoy the ride. I don’t want them to endure the movie. But I do want them to endure the length of the movie and I want them to get lost in parts of it. That’s what it was about.
We bought a book by a cartoonist about his personal perspective on a 35-year failed investigation into Arthur Leigh Allen. The attempt here was not to recreate the ‘70s or even recreate San Francisco. It was to say, “You’re going to meet this guy, and we’re going to see him try to poke his way into the tent and be part of something that isn’t about cartooning, and we’re going to see how this investigation takes all of them to the edge of what seems like a reasonable expectation for justice.”We talked about that ad nauseam.
I remember when we showed the film to Warner Brothers, and they were like, “This isn’t Se7en.” I was like, “Oh boy.” Look, I love the script to “Se7en.” There’s a pulpiness to it, and I like pulp. “Zodiac” is not that. I don’t know how much I was thinking in terms of, “well, this’ll close out the aughts.” I just felt like there’s that kind of serial killer movie, and then there’s this. And I don’t even know if “Zodiac” really is a, I mean, certainly, it’s about a serial killer, but it’s really, it’s a newspaper movie at its marrow.
Insights on the Comparisons Between Zodiac and Se7en
Zodiac Highlights the Infamous Manhunt
Viewing Zodiac may evoke frustration, particularly when juxtaposed with Se7en. Jake Gyllenhaal’s portrayal of the obsessed cartoonist serves as a focal point near the film’s conclusion. Although Zodiac revolves around the enigmatic identity of the Zodiac Killer, the movie deliberately leaves the killer’s identity unresolved, mirroring the ongoing real-world mysteries surrounding the case.
Both Gyllenhaal and Robert Downey Jr.’s characters inhabit the same building where the Zodiac Killer sent his cryptic messages. This proximity to the case drives them into a spiral of obsession and personal destruction—the latter transitions from a reputable Times editor to a figure of disdain, while the former’s relentless pursuit leads to a series of dead ends. Ultimately, the film presents a singular prime suspect, Arthur Leigh Allen. Fincher’s Zodiac masterfully conveys the emotions he intended for the audience: a mix of frustration and obsession, encapsulating the true essence of the serial killer narrative.
Source: Variety
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