David Fincher’s 1995 psychological crime thriller ‘Seven’ (stylized ‘SE7EN’) chronicles the journey of rookie investigator David Mills (Brad Pitt) and his seasoned partner William Somerset (Morgan Freeman) as they pursue a ruthless killer who targets the seven deadly sins.
Every crime scene embodies the theme of one of the seven deadly sins, compelling the two detectives to go into a profound and sinister investigation to apprehend the murderer.
The film’s bleak metropolitan environment provides an ideal backdrop for the macabre narrative, since the majority of scenes convey a sense of foreboding, enhancing the menace of the killer and his surroundings.
If you are interested in the filming locations of the thought-provoking movie, here is a comprehensive overview of all the sites utilized to create ‘Seven.’
Filming Locations of Se7en
‘Seven’ was filmed exclusively in California, particularly in and around Los Angeles. Principal photography allegedly began on December 12, 1994, and concluded approximately 55 days later on February 5, 1995.
Although set in New York, the production team utilized various sites in Los Angeles and nearby regions to depict a sinister interpretation of the Big Apple.
In this film, David Fincher aimed to visually and stylistically portray a grimy, violent, polluted, and bleak urban environment. Let us examine the particular sites utilized for filming.
Los Angeles, California
A significant portion of the picture was filmed in Los Angeles, California, while endeavoring to portray it as New York City on screen. The murder classified as a “crime of passion,” which serves as the initial crime scene in the film and the location where detectives Mills and Somerset first encounter each other, was filmed at 746 South San Pedro Street at Agatha Street, near downtown Los Angeles.
Various additional locations in the downtown area served as filming sites, including the Alexandria Hotel at 501 South Spring Street, the Giant Penny Building at the intersection of 3rd Street and Broadway, and Spring Street Towers at 650 South Spring Street.
Additional shooting locations in Los Angeles comprise the Pacific Electric Building at 610 South Main Street, the Rosslyn Hotel at 112 West 5th Street, and the Ambassador Hotel at 3400 Wilshire Boulevard.
In the film, observant viewers may also notice appearances of the Chester Williams Building located at 215 West 5th Street and the Quality Coffee Shop situated at 1238 West 7th Street.
The crew recorded at several obscure locations in Los Angeles; portions featuring Wild Bill’s Leather Shop were filmed at 123 East 6th Street, while the barbershop depicted in the film is Salon Pure at 117 East 6th Street.
Several scenes were recorded at 673 Mateo Street and the limousine lane of the Biltmore Hotel situated at 530 South Grand Avenue. The New York Pizza establishment depicted in Somerset and Mills’ dining scene is, in fact, a New York Pizza Express branch located at 6302 Hollywood Boulevard, which has since been razed.
Burbank, California
Certain segments of the film necessitated studio filming, which was predictably conducted at the renowned Warner Brothers Burbank Studios, situated at 4000 Warner Boulevard in Burbank.
Established in 1926, the advanced production facility features 36 sound stages, 14 exterior sets, 20 re-recording stages, six ADR stages, and a comprehensive array of production-related rental and support departments.
Throughout the years, the studios have included numerous acclaimed films such as ‘Animal Kingdom,’ ‘Shameless,’ and ‘Friends.’
Lancaster, California
The last sequence of ‘Seven,’ a quintessential moment in psychological crime cinema, was filmed in Lancaster, located in northern Los Angeles County. The sequence was filmed slightly outside the city, on West Avenue, about east of 110th Street and west of Lancaster.
The desolate environment and powerlines depicted in the final shot appear to be characteristic of the Mojave Desert. Additionally, the cast and crew traveled to Mojave, an unincorporated city in Kern County located merely 42 kilometers from Lancaster.
Look into haunting aura of David Fincher’s ‘Seven’ by visiting its renowned filming sites. The film’s menacing tone is amplified by the contrasting settings, from the shadowy metropolitan areas of Los Angeles to the barren terrains of Lancaster.
Find the locations where Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman realized this psychological thriller. Experience downtown landmarks such as the Alexandria Hotel and lesser-known establishments like Wild Bill’s Leather Shop, in addition to the eerie concluding sequences filmed in the Mojave Desert.
Want to explore these intriguing areas further? Visit our website for a comprehensive guide and immerse yourself in the unsettling realm of ‘Seven’ today!