Mystic River (2003) - Movies Like Se7en | Filmiway

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Why This Matches the "Se7en" Aesthetic

Like Se7en, Mystic River is about how a single act of violence poisons an entire community and warps good people into doing terrible things.

Mystic River

2003•Clint Eastwood•120 min•R

The Experience

The lives of three men who were childhood friends are shattered when one of them has a family tragedy. As a detective investigates the murder of his friend's daughter, old wounds from a childhood trauma are ripped open. 'Mystic River' is a Greek tragedy set in Boston, exploring how a single moment of violence ripples through decades, destroying families and poisoning souls.

Cast & Crew

Director: Clint Eastwood

Starring: Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, Kevin Bacon

Production Details

Budget: 30 million

Box Office: 156.6 million

Age Rating:R
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SE7EN DNA SCORE

86
NOIR DARKNESS INDEX
7.9
IMDB RATING
PSYCHOLOGICAL GRIT LEVELHIGH

Sophisticated cinematic storytelling with advanced non-linear elements.

Clean Content Record

Mystic River: No sexual content or graphic scenes present in this film.

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INTENSITY GRAPH

Narrative Analysis
Kidnapping(40%)
Murder(70%)
Interrogation(85%)
Confrontation(95%)
Parade(80%)
Drama: 50%Drama: 50%Drama: 50%Drama: 50%Drama: 50%Drama: 50%Drama: 50%Drama: 50%Drama: 50%Drama: 50%Drama: 50%Drama: 50%Drama: 50%Drama: 50%Drama: 50%Drama: 50%Crime: 30%Crime: 30%Crime: 30%Crime: 30%Crime: 30%Crime: 30%Crime: 30%Crime: 30%Crime: 30%Crime: 30%Mystery: 20%Mystery: 20%Mystery: 20%Mystery: 20%Mystery: 20%Mystery: 20%

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CINEMATIC DNA

Genre Analysis
Drama
50%
Crime
30%
Mystery
20%

Genre DNA Distribution

  • Drama: 50%
  • Crime: 30%
  • Mystery: 20%

Movie Intensity Arc

  • Minute 10: Kidnapping (40/100 Intensity)
  • Minute 35: Murder (70/100 Intensity)
  • Minute 75: Interrogation (85/100 Intensity)
  • Minute 110: Confrontation (95/100 Intensity)
  • Minute 135: Parade (80/100 Intensity)

Community Reviews

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FAQ About Mystic River

Common questions about Mystic River, its ending, and its place in noir cinema history.

Is Mystic River a murder mystery?

Yes, but it is primarily a character study about how trauma destroys lives and how the past can never truly be buried.

Who is the killer?

The reveal is tragic and accidental, emphasizing the senselessness of the violence and how misunderstandings can lead to irreversible consequences.

Why is the ending controversial?

It shows life moving on despite the tragedy, with justice remaining elusive and the guilty going unpunished, reinforcing the film's bleak worldview.

How does it fit the Se7en theme?

It shares the oppressive, dark atmosphere and the theme of the past destroying the present, where good people are warped by circumstance.

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Curated by Filmiway Editorial Team

Expert analysis of noir & procedural thrillers

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