Ben Affleck Says This 95%-Rated Cult Thriller Wasn't Praised Enough: "Great Underrated Kind"

Ben Affleck is often portrayed as a perpetually tired and miserable internet meme. However, behind this facade lies one of Hollywood's most insightful minds.

The actor, screenwriter, and director predicted the success of subscription models like Netflix as early as 2003, and he is challenging conventional wisdom once again.

Ben Affleck Says David Fincher's 'Seven' Is Underrated Because It's a Serial Killer Movie

This time, he has taken it upon himself to defend the reputation of a film he calls an underrated masterpiece of modern cinema: David Fincher's dark and impeccable thriller, Seven.

In a conversation with Alamo Drafthouse, Affleck shared an apparently paradoxical idea: the cult hit from 1995, which grossed nearly $330 million at the box office and received an Oscar nomination, didn't receive the recognition it deserved:

“I think Seven is probably one of the great underrated kind of masterpieces. I think people don't include it sometimes in the lists they make of great movies because it's a serial killer movie.”

Affleck added:

“The screenplay, the execution, the performances, they all work beautifully in concert with one another. The acting is great.

The plot and the reveal and the tension actually have a reveal and a point. There's a denouement that's incredibly resonant. It's iconic. It's stayed with us.”

'Seven' Almost Lost Its Iconic Shocking Finale During Test Screenings

One of the key elements that made Seven an icon of the genre, its merciless, chilling ending, almost got cut. Studio test screenings, in which audiences watched the original version, provoked shock and negative reactions.

They demanded a softer, more optimistic ending. However, the creators, especially star and producer Brad Pitt, stood firm. As it later turned out, Pitt accepted the role of Detective Mills precisely because of the final script.

Their decision to go against the test audiences' wishes proved to be a stroke of genius – it was this shocking ending that gave the movie its devastating emotional power and its status as a timeless classic.

'Seven' Gave Us One of the Most Cult Movie Villains

At the heart of this flawless machine is the antagonist, John Doe, played by Kevin Spacey. Despite the risk of creating a one-dimensional maniac, Fincher and Spacey crafted one of the most charismatic, intelligent, and terrifying villains in cinematic history.

Viewers never learn his real name, past, or motives in the traditional sense. He is a personification of the biblical concept of evil, an artist who uses society's sins as a canvas for his horrific "works."

He is reminiscent of real-life maniacs like Charles Manson but is devoid of everyday psychology. This elevates him to the level of an archetype, making him all the more terrifying.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Seven'?

• Seven has 84% from critics and 95% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the movie has a score of 8.6/10.

• On Letterboxd, Seven scored 4.4/5.0.

Where to Watch 'Seven'?

Seven is available to stream on Hulu, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.