Sam Spade (Maltese Falcon) leads with 68% of votes
See full Movie Detective rankings →VS
Your GOAT List
William Somerset from 'Se7en' is a world-weary detective facing the darkest sides of humanity, while Sam Spade from 'Maltese Falcon' navigates the gritty, deceptive underbelly of crime with a charismatic, sharp-witted edge. This battle pitches Somerset's methodical, philosophical approach to solving serial crimes against Spade's cunning and street-smart tactics in a classic clash of old-school noir versus modern psychological thriller. Fans are deeply divided, rallying behind Somerset's soul-searching resilience or Spade's charismatic rule-bending. Whose methods resonate more in the world of cinematic sleuths? Choose your champion and cast your vote!
In this battle:
Fans currently prefer Sam Spade (Maltese Falcon) over William Somerset (Se7en) when it comes to the greatest Movie Detectives. In head-to-head matchups, fans pick Sam Spade (Maltese Falcon) 68.2% of the time over William Somerset (Se7en).
Across all battles:
Sam Spade (Maltese Falcon) win rate: 49.6%
William Somerset (Se7en) win rate: 38.6%
It's a classic old school vs. new school showdown. Sam Spade represents the hard-boiled, no-nonsense detective of the early film noir era, while William Somerset brings a contemporary, cerebral approach to the detective genre. Fans are really split over which style makes for the more intriguing sleuth.
Somerset’s thoughtful, methodical approach to solving grisly crimes in a dark, rainy city captivates fans who prefer complex characters and modern psychological twists. His profound emotional depth and moral struggles make him a standout.
Sam Spade's edge in the votes probably comes from his iconic status as the quintessential detective in 'Maltese Falcon.' Fans love his witty, gritty persona and the way he embodies the noir detective archetype, which resonates more with the classic film buffs.