<P> Released on September 22, 1995 by New Line Cinema, Seven was the seventh - highest - grossing film of the year, grossing over $327 million worldwide . It was well received by critics, who praised the film's darkness, brutality and themes . The film was nominated for Best Film Editing at the 68th Academy Awards, but lost to Apollo 13 . </P> <P> Soon - to - retire detective William Somerset is partnered with short - tempered but idealistic David Mills, who has recently moved to the city with his wife Tracy . Tracy confides to Somerset that she is pregnant and has yet to tell Mills, as she is unhappy with the city and feels it is no place to raise a child . Somerset sympathizes, having had a similar situation with his ex-girlfriend many years earlier, and advises her to tell Mills only if she plans to keep the child . </P> <P> Somerset and Mills investigate a set of murders inspired by the seven deadly sins: a man forced to eat until his stomach ruptured, representing gluttony, and a defense attorney killed after a pound of flesh was taken from him, representing greed . Clues at the murder scenes lead them to a suspect's apartment, where they find a third victim, a drug dealer and child molester, strapped to a bed, emaciated but alive, representing sloth . Daily photographs of the victim, taken over a year, show the crimes were planned far in advance . </P> <P> The detectives use library records to identify a John Doe and track him to his apartment . Doe flees and Mills gives chase . Doe turns to hold Mills at gunpoint for a moment before escaping . The apartment contains hundreds of notebooks revealing Doe's psychopathy, as well as a clue to another murder . The detectives arrive too late to stop a man forced to kill a prostitute by raping her with a bladed strap - on, representing lust . They are told of a fifth murder, a model whose face has been mutilated by Doe; she was given the option to call for help and be disfigured, or commit suicide by taking pills, representing pride . </P>

The seven deadly sins in the movie se7en