Binary Opposition In Se7en

How does Detective Mills subvert the binary opposition good and bad in the film Se7en?

Introduction
In this essay, I am going to be analysing a character from the thriller film ‘Se7en’ (directed by David Fincher). The character of my choice is one of the lead roles of this film, Detective Mills. This character is portrayed as a homicide detective, taking the place of experienced retiring detective Somerset. The theoretical analysis I have chosen to use is the use of binary oppositions, particularly the opposition good and bad, but also exploring the binary opposites young and old combined with the opposites wise and foolish.

Binary opposition is two theoretical examples that are defined as opposites and set off against each other. Opposites
This is relevant due to most artefacts that rely on a storyline use binary opposites to keep the viewers watching and for the story to advance. Often, with binary opposites, the two opposites collide and rely on each other to define the
Somerset is shown as the old, wise character, whilst Mills is portrayed as the young and foolish opposite. Throughout the film, there are a range of situations in which this is depicted, but in particular, the focus of lifestyle and occupation determine these opposites. Mills is portrayed as a stray, lost animal following the only person to show him interest; Somerset. Alongside this point, both detectives’ private apartments are shown at points in the film. Somerset’s’ apartment is visually appealing, clean, neat and organised. On the other hand, Mills apartment is shown to be visually messy, unclean and disorganised; demonstrating the binary opposite. Another two examples of where this binary opposite is portrayed is during the investigation of one of the murders. After coming to the conclusion that the serial deaths were being based on the seven deadly sins, Somerset headed to the library to research into the sins and what to expect next. However, Mills did the opposite, headed home and is shown to drink an alcoholic drink, showing the divide between wise and foolish. The final example of the use of the demonstrated opposites is when Mills pregnant wife approaches Somerset (who is a stranger to her) for help with what to do with the baby. Based on Levi-Strauss’ theory about the development of the story, these opposites lead the viewer on to realise the difference between Somerset and Mills and also