John Doe from 'Se7en' is the best killer ever.

John Doe. What can we say about John Doe that hasn't already been said? One of the most devious, petty, and twisted serial killers and villains in cinematic history. So much so that even if he surrenders to the police, it will be to complete his evil plan and win the game. It's impossible not to admire him, despite his wickedness. Or because of it.

He was masterfully portrayed by a Kevin Spacey in top form, who followed this superb Se7en (David Fincher, 1995) with another equally superb The Usual Suspects (Bryan Singer, 1995), before continuing at the peak with two more gems from the brilliant 1990s decade: L.A. Confidential (Curtis Hanson, 1997) and American Beauty (Sam Mendes, 1999).

David Fincher, who made his film debut at the age of 30 with Alien 3 (1992), was able to successfully helm this dark and fatal thriller at 33 years old. His career is remarkable, and few recent directors can compete: The Game (1997), Fight Club (1999), Zodiac (2007), The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008), The Social Network (2010), The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011), and Gone Girl (2014) all demonstrate his versatility and excellence. One of the top living directors.

Let's discuss about Se7en, unquestionably one of the darkest and most horrific thrillers in cinema. The veteran Lieutenant Somerset (played by the always reliable Morgan Freeman) is ready to retire and will be succeeded by the ambitious and impulsive Detective David Mills (a great Brad Pitt). Both work together to solve a string of murders perpetrated by a psychopath named John Doe, who draws inspiration from the seven biblical capital sins: gluttony, sloth, pride, greed, lust, envy, and wrath.

The bodies of the victims, which the killer brutally savages, become the sole clues for the cops in a mystery that leads them to witness the most heinous terror and brutality. After five killings associated with their respective capital sins, John Doe turns himself in to the police , only for them to unwittingly assist him in finishing his "masterpiece."

Doe convinces the cops to go with him to a section of the desert, where he claims the remaining bodies are located. While there, Doe admits that because of his sin of envy—envy for Detective Mills' ideal life and ideal wife— he deserves to die.

After that, they receive a postal package. Inside is the head of Detective Mills' wife. Doe adds that she was pregnant, something the detective didn't know. Mills’ 'wrath' ultimately closes the circle of the seven deadly sins shooting John Doe. A tragically stunning end.

An alternative ending was proposed in which Somerset prevents Mills from killing Doe by shooting him first, followed by a final "I'm retiring" in response to Doe's disappointment that Mills had not fulfilled his 'wrath' as the seventh deadly sin. It wasn't a bad option, but I prefer that Doe wins.

In another discarded ending, the trio fights in a burning church, with Doe capturing Mills, slashing a cross on his chest, and hanging him on the altar before shooting him. Somerset shoots Doe after Mills dies in his arms and sets his body on fire next to a painting of the seven deadly sins

Thank goodness they did not ruin one of the best endings ever, as I previously stated, of one of cinema's most cunning, petty, and twisted villains. Long live John Doe.

Bibliography: In the box there was another head: This was the shocking alternate ending of 'Se7en' that Brad Pitt refused to shoot. By Fran Chico, in the magazine Fotogramas. Published: 09/19/2023.