As film fans, there’s always a handful of films that we allow to pass us by. This usually isn’t at all indicative of their quality – sometimes, like with Gone Girl, we’re just a little Late To The Party.
Despite being adapted from a bestselling novel and having been the cause of much discussion since its release, somehow Gone Girl has evaded us here at Corner of Film. Having earned itself the distinction of being labelled a “cult postmodern mystery“, its tightly-woven plot has contributed to a stellar reputation. It’s a movie renowned for being intricately written and psychologically tense, but what is it like watching it for the first time a decade after its release?
Directed by David Fincher and written by Gone Girl‘s original author Gillian Flynn, the movie adaptation was already in the perfect creative hands before it was even made. Factor in two recognizable and capable stars in Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike, with supporting actors in Carrie Coon, Neil Patrick Harris, and Tyler Perry, and it has the makings of a classic. It follows a husband’s search for his missing wife. The nature of their strained marriage casts suspicion on him as his secrets are gradually uncovered.
It’s a film known for its well-crafted twists and turns, brought to life as they are by the incredibly talented Rosamund Pike. Affleck’s nuanced performance also earned significant praise, with the pair’s screen chemistry undeniable throughout. However, their performances alone aren’t what makes Gone Girl great.
Gone Girl Is A Perfectly Written David Fincher Thriller
Perhaps the most striking element of the film is just how perfectly it all came together. Fincher was without doubt the best director for the project, and Flynn’s adaptation of her own novel helped to keep its thrilling story perfectly intact. Built on that solid foundation, Pike and Affleck’s incredibly nuanced performances are able to elevate the film to become one of the best modern mystery thrillers in existence.
It’s a credit to the film that the creeping sense of paranoia it instils extends to almost every character, begging difficult questions about modern society, relationships, and gender perceptions. With such delicate subject matter being examined, Gone Girl is a daring film, but it’s one that strikes the delicate balance required to comment on the nature of abuse and control without taking a potentially controversial stance. In an society that has become increasingly sensitive to such matters, Gone Girl‘s handling of these themes still holds up impressively.
When considering what makes the film so appreciated, it’s not easy to nail down a single aspect. It’s dark, it’s shocking, and it’s brilliantly paced, with just the right amount of twists and turns. Keeping the audience guessing as to who to root for is another masterstroke, and it’s one that makes Gone Girl‘s story one of cinema’s truly unforgettable experiences.
Rating: 90%
Summary: Dark and powerful, Gone Girl taps into the deeply paranoid nature of strained relationships and the lengths humans can go to when they feel betrayed.
Highlight: Gone Girl‘s execution of its multiple twists is truly astonishing, but perhaps the greatest is its most violent third-act scene that reveals the truly depraved nature of the film’s protagonist.