Gone Girl is a must-see

From Se7en, to Fight Club, to The Social Network, just about everything director David Fincher touches turns to gold. Gone Girl is no exception to that. This thriller is jaw-dropping, beautiful, edge of your seat entertainment that will leave audience members wanting more.

Gone Girl centers around the enigmatic marriage of Nick and Amy Dunne (Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike) and the fallout when Amy goes missing on their fifth wedding anniversary. Suddenly the spotlight is on Nick because his contextually inappropriate behavior leads everyone, including local detectives and national reporters, to believe he was involved in her disappearance. The plot is filled with twists and turns that will constantly leave you guessing and wondering what will happen next. Fincher and screenwriter/author of the book, Gillian Flynn do an outstanding job of expertly manipulating viewers’ emotions until it becomes impossible to trust any of the characters, much less one’s own judgment.

The acting in this film is surprisingly brilliant. Ben Affleck slowly improves as the plot thickens and, by the end, is undeniably praiseworthy. Rosamund Pike’s portrayal of Amy Dunne is more than likely the greatest performance of her career. Other major name actors, Tyler Perry and Neil Patrick Harris, exceed expectations, and, despite being well-known for previous projects, manage to transcend their respective reputations and seamlessly play their parts. There are also some lesser known actors, such as Kim Dickens and Carrie Coon, who stand out despite the fact that they’ve never had any particular cinematic success before now.

Each cast member seems to have a deep understanding of what is going on in their character’s head at all times, which adds another layer to the already impressive performances. As with most David Fincher movies, the entire ensemble is commendable, immersing the audience in their world with no weak links, which is a daunting task for a story with so many crucial roles.

Though it’s two and a half hours long, the story never lags and the pacing is all but perfect, with no moments wasted or rushed. Although they may not have been likable, every character is written to be utterly fascinating. The screenplay, direction, and the expectedly incredible score courtesy of Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross all combine to make this nearly flawless film. The story is so intricate and compelling that by the time the credits roll, you’ll want nothing more than to watch the entire film all over again.