David FincherIt is Se7en was a reference for the best horror movies and one of best movies of the 90s– proving its longevity almost three decades later. With its carefully crafted atmosphere—with incessant rain– captivating performances and haunting themes, the film is as chilling and unforgettable today as it was in 1995. The upcoming 30th anniversary 4K Ultra HD release, scheduled for January 7, offers fans the chance to experience this dark classic with stunning new clarity. Rewatching it in preparation for reissue, one thing is clear: John Doe is still one of the the most terrifying villains in cinema history. Here’s why his take on the Seven Deadly Sins still hits harder than any modern horror antagonist.

Crimes are personal and personalized

By Bloody disgusting, Se7en gets a killer 4k release for the 30th anniversary, which made me want to watch the film again. After re-watching the film, I was struck by the fact that, unlike the random violence often seen even in best slasher moviesthe John Doe murders are disturbing and personal. Each crime is meticulously crafted to reflect the victim’s perceived sin, making it deeply symbolic and horrifyingly specific. For example, the victim of gluttony is not only killed: she is force-fed to death in a grotesque display of excess. Likewise, the victim of greed, a lawyer, is faced with a cruel choice: mutilate himself or die. A harrowing storyline serves as a dark allegory for his greed and, interestingly, evokes the kind of twisted moral dilemmas seen in Sawa franchise that Se7en clearly inspired.