Starring: Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Kim Dickens, Carrie Coon, Tyler Perry, Neil Patrick Harris, Patrick Fugit, Casey Wilson, Sela Ward, David Clennon, Lisa Banes, Missi Pyle, Lee Norris

Directed By: David Fincher

I’m glad I managed to avoid spoilers and not read the book. We already know it’s a great book. Everyone loved reading it. My mother wouldn’t stop talking about it. So I went into the movie not knowing anything about the twists and turns that Gone Girl has to offer. And… if you go in blind… you’re in for one mindfuck of a ride.

Congratulations to Gillian Flynn for writing one heck of a crime thriller (/comedy?). It’s actually transcendent of genre. I found myself laughing at several points in the film, because what was transpiring was actually funny. But then there are shocking moments too, and real moments where you’re pretty sure that no one is going to make it out of this OK.

The film trailer has barely scraped the surface of what the film is about. Sure, Nick Dunne (Affleck) is suspected of murdering his wife Amy (Pike). But there’s more to both of these people than what you get at the start of the film. If you think you know what’s going to happen, you’re probably wrong. At least… half wrong.

Affleck is great as Nick Dunne. It’s that kind of likeable smarmy role he’s great in. He’s just likeable enough to relate to, and just enough of a prick for you to hope that he did it. And Rosamund Pike? Forget about it. Star making role here. If anyone gets nominated for an Oscar coming out of Gone Girl, it’s Pike as “Amazing Amy”. I can’t begin to describe her character, because it’s so spoilery, but she’ll be the one everyone remembers.

Which is a little bit of a shame, because there are two supporting performances that should be getting a lot more notice. I thought Carrie Coon as Affleck’s sister was perfect, and in a year lacking in great Supporting Actress roles, she was a standout. Also, Kim Dickens is great as the detective who doesn’t just immediately believe what cable news tells her to believe. Also, Tyler Perry. TYLER PERRY. This is the best Tyler Perry has ever been.

Gone Girl is as much a send up on how quick we are to condemn through sensationalized cable news stories as it is a deconstruction of modern marriage. Nick and Amy are only at the five year mark, and their marriage is already full of holes. The ship is sinking fast, and this doesn’t help matters.

I would say this is the first “must see” film of 2014, because if you haven’t read the book, you owe it to yourself to see this before someone spoils it for you. If you just love good storytelling, Gone Girl is the best kind of good storytelling.

I’ve read countless critics trying to knock Gone Girl because it isn’t David Fincher’s best. Well, the guy has directed Seven and Fight Club. Is this a better movie than Seven? No. Is this one of David Fincher’s Top 5 films of all time? Sure. For me, it’s actually in his Top 3.

Is Gone Girl the Best Picture of the Year? Probably not, but it’ll help give the others a run for their money.

FINAL GRADE: A