In general Fincher deviates from what could be termed a "Hollywood" ending, and is unafraid to offer controversial resolutions. At the end of Se7ven Brad Pitt's character executes the man who killed his wife, to the horror of his partner, and ends up mentally broken. In a similar fashion, Edward Norton's character finds redemption from his mental dementia by shooting himself in the face, and despite his salvation the city erupts into a fireball around him as a result of his alter-ego's action. Panic Room ends with the "good" thief saving the life of Jodie Foster and her family when he kills his violent partner. Despite his good act, he does not escape the house and is arrested by the police.
David Fincher's unique methodology for film-making strong supports the Auteur theory and distinguishes him from other film makers. Whether it is his use of weather, shadows, his unique camera movements, single-frame inserts, or his pension for non-generic endings Fincher has a style all his own, and is not likely to be confused with other directors.
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