Posted by Jonathan Klotz | Published
It’s 12 years old, has been off and on various streaming services over the years, however, David Fincher’s 2014 hit. Gone Girl it’s also in the Netflix Top Ten. There is something about the story of a missing wife that tickles the true crime center of the brain. That’s before the first twist, then the second, and then a few more. By the time the credits roll, you’ll be shocked and impressed in equal measure.
Everyone’s Worst Nightmare
Gone Girl begins with the disappearance of Amy (Rosamund Pike). Her husband, Nick (Ben Affleck) soon becomes the prime suspect. It doesn’t help that there are signs of struggle in their kitchen, the small fact that he was actually in love with one of his students played by Emily Ratajkowski, and the complete breakdown of their relationship left him feeling, at best, completely useless inside. Worse, he thinks Amy has stopped him.
No one listens to anything Nick says or does to protect himself. What he says is less important than how he says it. His inability to deal with the show and being a sad, frustrated husband every major news outlet wants to interview is worse than all the evidence the police are making up. It is everyone’s nightmare to be accused of a serious crime.
That’s why too Gone Girl it works as well as it does. Everyone involved in Amy’s disappearance is a bad person, except for Nick’s sister, Margo (Carrie Coon), including Nick and Amy herself. No one listens to Nick’s defense, and no one listens to Amy.
Every Woman’s Worst Nightmare
David Fincher was using some very powerful sources when he put together one of the funniest, darkest things about the breakdown of a marriage. Author Gillian Flynn wrote the screenplay for her 2012 blockbuster novel herself. It’s a testament to the skill and expertise of everyone involved that at a time when older artists were fading, the film grossed $370 million at the box office.
Rosamund Pike’s best film, arguably Ben Affleck’s best performance, and 12 years on, nothing comes close. A wave of thriller novels hitting the big screen includes The Girl on the Trainbut nothing hits the edge-of-your-seat sweet spot of “what’s going on here” with wild twists and characters you’ll love to hate. Or love to love. Gone Girl roschach test of the film and you will end up seeing what you want to see.
The film’s success in broadcasting cannot be denied. For every streaming service it has been a part of Gone Girl it was a hit. The rise in popularity of true crime podcasts over the past decade has helped the film stay at the top of the most watched list. Those haven’t faded in popularity sadly, every year brings new material for legions of podcasters out there to pour over. Gone Girl it will always be important.
Gone Girl is currently streaming on Netflix.
