I must say, if you’re still reeling from the mind-bending twists and turns of “Gone Girl“, fear not! I have two gripping psychological dramas that are sure to keep you guessing long into the night.
This piece explores topics such as addiction, acts of mass violence, mental health issues, incidents of sexual assault, and thoughts on suicide.
In 2014, David Fincher brought Gillian Flynn’s bestselling novel “Gone Girl” to life on the big screen, unintentionally or not, paving the way for a unique genre, albeit a relatively narrow one. Over time, numerous novels and books featuring flawed female protagonists, untrustworthy narrators, intricate mysteries with shocking mid-point twists, or a mix of these elements began to flood the market. Given that “Gone Girl” received widespread critical acclaim and was a commercial success as well, this trend seems logical.
To provide a concise summary, “Gone Girl” commences with Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) preparing for his fifth wedding anniversary with Amy Elliott Dunne (Rosamund Pike), only to find a puzzling scene at home and no trace of Amy. The narrative that unfolds thereafter combines Amy’s diary entries from the start of their relationship with Nick’s frantic, clumsy search for his vanished wife, all while he becomes the primary suspect in her disappearance. Despite being an anti-hero and a psychopath, Amy is incredibly captivating. If you haven’t seen the twist involving Amy yet (first-time viewers only), you’ll be left speechless. Whether you’re revisiting “Gone Girl” for the umpteenth time or finally watching it after years, here are some movies to watch next, ranging from David Fincher’s other works to films clearly influenced by “Gone Girl.
Luckiest Girl Alive (2022)
The 2022 Netflix film “Luckiest Girl Alive,” similar to “Gone Girl,” is based on a bestselling novel and has its author, Jessica Knoll, as the primary screenwriter. Directed by Mike Barker and produced by its leading actress Mila Kunis, this movie stars Kunis as Tifani “Ani” Fanelli, a magazine editor in New York living her dream life with a wealthy fiancé, Luke Harrison (Finn Wittrock). However, Ani’s peaceful existence is disrupted when documentary filmmaker Aaron Wickersham (Dalmar Abuzeid) seeks to explore her high school years. As it turns out, Ani attended the elite Bentley School, but a deeply traumatic sexual assault by three of her classmates left a lasting impact on her life. This horrific incident was followed by a school shooting committed by one of her classmates and friends, Arthur Finneman (Thomas Barbusca), which resulted in numerous casualties among the students.
The movie skillfully weaves the story of Ani, portrayed by Chiara Aurelia from “Cruel Summer”, as both a present-day character and her teenage self. This narrative technique gives us a comprehensive view of a woman wrestling with her past, despite being aware of the tragic events that occurred in her high school. However, unexpected twists and turns throughout the film will still keep you on the edge of your seat. Unlike Amy Elliott Dunne from “Gone Girl”, Ani is not a psychopath, making it easier to empathize with and root for her as the protagonist.
The Girl on the Train (2016)
Drawing inspiration from another bestselling novel by Paula Hawkins, Tate Taylor’s 2016 film “The Girl on the Train” can be seen as a significant successor to “Gone Girl.” Sharing similar narrative elements such as an untrustworthy protagonist and incorporating “girl” in the title, this movie adaption follows Rachel Watson, portrayed by Emily Blunt, who is a struggling alcoholic. Despite having no job, she commutes daily between her home and the city on a train, spying on a seemingly perfect couple – Scott and Megan Hipwell (played by Luke Evans and Haley Bennett) – whose lives she envies, and observing her own ex-husband Tom Watson (Justin Theroux) and his new wife Anna (Rebecca Ferguson) with their daughter. The story shifts from London to New York City in the film version. When Megan mysteriously vanishes, Rachel becomes overly engrossed in the investigation, but due to her excessive drinking and Tom’s slanderous campaign against her, her credibility is questioned, leading to a significant decline in her mental health.
Similar to “Gone Girl,” “The Girl on the Train” delivers an exhilarating climax filled with unexpected twists and turns. Just like its counterpart, it eventually unveils that Rachel may not be the most credible observer out there, while Tom also fails to live up to his image of integrity. If you’re searching for a film where characters aren’t always what they appear to be, “The Girl on the Train” is definitely worth watching.
A Simple Favor (2018)
Paul Feig’s 2018 movie “A Simple Favor” is more playful and whimsical compared to “Gone Girl,” but it’s incredibly entertaining! The story revolves around Stephanie Smothers, a mommy blogger portrayed by Anna Kendrick, who strikes up an unlikely friendship with the stylish Emily Nelson (played by Blake Lively, enjoying herself immensely). They meet at their sons’ school pickup and, surprisingly, become friends over numerous gin martinis. When Emily suddenly vanishes, leaving her son Nicky (Ian Ho) with Stephanie, she initially doesn’t give it much thought. However, as days pass, Stephanie grows concerned, as does Emily’s novelist husband Sean Townsend (Henry Golding). As it turns out, the circumstances surrounding Emily’s disappearance are far more complex and sinister than Stephanie could ever have imagined, even while she develops a romantic connection with Sean. Stephanie then embarks on a mission to discover the truth about Emily.
Enjoying ‘A Simple Favor’ is like savoring an extravagant rollercoaster ride. Both Lively and Kendrick shine exceptionally in this film, with Kendrick masterfully portraying the ‘goody two-shoes’ character and Lively delivering a captivating performance as the ‘cool girl’ reminiscent of Amy Elliott Dunne from ‘Gone Girl.’ If you fancy it, serve ‘A Simple Favor’ alongside an icy cold gin martini – they make a delightful pair.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)
In 2005, Stieg Larsson’s acclaimed novel “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” was transformed into two distinct movies. The first, a Swedish production from 2009, starred Noomi Rapace as the fierce hacker Lisbeth Salander. Later in 2011, director David Fincher brought his own interpretation of Larsson’s book to life with Rooney Mara playing Lisbeth. Given that Fincher is also known for directing “Gone Girl,” we will concentrate on his version in this compilation (although it’s strongly recommended you watch the Swedish adaptation if your schedule allows).
The film, titled “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” presents us with Lisbeth, a resilient woman scarred by decades of sexual assault and violence. Alongside her, we meet Mikael Blomkvist, portrayed by Daniel Craig, who is approached by Henrik Vanger (Christopher Plummer), a wealthy businessman, to help find his missing granddaughter. Mikael’s reputation has been tarnished by Hans-Erik Wennerström (Ulf Friberg), another businessman, and Henrik holds damaging information about Hans-Erik that could assist Mikael in bringing him down. As Mikael delves into the search for the granddaughter, Harriet Vanger (Joely Richardson), he encounters Lisbeth and they form an unstable alliance, eventually developing a romantic connection as well. It’s important to note that the film portrays graphic depictions of sexual violence, although it should be mentioned that “Gone Girl” also tackles heavy themes. Despite its disturbing content, the film is praised for its honesty in addressing the trauma faced by women like Lisbeth. Regrettably, a sequel to “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” is unlikely as the author, Stieg Larsson, passed away before completing a full series, but Fincher’s 2011 adaptation remains available for viewing when you are ready.
Zodiac (2007)
At first glance, “Zodiac” and “Gone Girl” may seem unrelated, as they are both films directed by David Fincher. However, upon closer inspection, they share a common theme: they both depict resourceful yet frustrated men pursuing an intelligent, cunning, and evasive killer who always manages to stay one step ahead. “Zodiac” is based on real-life author Robert Graysmith’s books “Zodiac” and “Zodiac: Unmasked,” with Jake Gyllenhaal portraying Graysmith himself. The movie encompasses a period of fourteen years, starting in 1969, the year the actual Zodiac killer began his killing spree and sending cryptic letters to the police filled with puzzling ciphers. Despite being just a political cartoonist at the San Francisco Chronicle, Graysmith becomes consumed by the Zodiac case after receiving some of those letters; he eventually persuades crime reporter Paul Avery (played by Robert Downey Jr.) to collaborate with him in an attempt to identify the killer.
Boasting an impressive ensemble of actors such as Mark Ruffalo, Brian Cox, Anthony Edwards, and Chloë Sevigny, it’s indisputable that “Zodiac” stands among David Fincher’s finest works. Unlike his film “Gone Girl,” where we encounter the villain directly, in “Zodiac,” the intrigue lies in observing multiple characters attempting to solve a mystery, only to be consistently outwitted by a cunning psychopath. Whether you’re a fan of “Gone Girl” or aiming to create a David Fincher retrospective, “Zodiac” is an excellent selection.
Prisoners (2013)
In the film “Prisoners,” which shares a grim atmosphere with “Gone Girl,” a man named Keller Dover becomes fixated on finding the truth after a heinous crime occurs, much like Nick Dunne when he suspects his wife of framing him. The 2013 crime drama by Denis Villeneuve revolves around two families, the Dovers and the Birches, residing in a small Pennsylvania town. After celebrating Thanksgiving together, young Anna Dover and Joy Birch vanish while playing outside. Initially, a man named Alex Jones is detained but released due to lack of evidence linking him to the kidnapping, causing Keller Dover, Anna’s father, to become increasingly frantic. Throughout the movie, Keller pursues and torments Alex in search of information, while Detective Loki (Jake Gyllenhaal) tirelessly searches for the missing girls in hopes they are still alive.
Prisoners” is chock-full of unexpected twists and turns, so if you believe you’ve figured out the true kidnapper, think again! This thriller boasts exceptional central performances from Gyllenhaal, Dano, and particularly Jackman, who delivers a remarkable portrayal as a relentless father, ready to push boundaries and even disregard the law in search of his lost daughter. If you enjoy being kept on your toes and appreciate a riveting psychological drama, give “Prisoners” a watch, especially if you’ve already seen “Gone Girl.
Side Effects (2013)
In the thriller “Gone Girl,” character Amy Elliott Dunne experiences deception from both her spouse Nick and her parents, it’s worth noting this doesn’t excuse any of her questionable actions. Similarly, in Steven Soderbergh’s psychological drama “Side Effects,” character Emily Taylor (Rooney Mara) encounters manipulation and falsehoods not only from her husband but also medical professionals. The movie opens with Emily intentionally crashing into a wall in what appears to be a suicide attempt, as her husband Martin (Channing Tatum) is about to be freed from prison for insider trading. This incident leads Emily to receive a mix of medications from her psychiatric team, Dr. Jonathan Banks (Jude Law) and Dr. Victoria Siebert (Catherine Zeta-Jones). When Emily accidentally kills Martin during one of her sleepwalking episodes – a side effect of the drugs – she is found not guilty, but it damages Dr. Banks’ reputation, causing him to suspect that Emily may have been less than truthful during their treatment.
“Side Effects” offers an intriguing, tangled narrative where it becomes challenging to discern truth from deception, and pinpoint accountability – similar to “Gone Girl,” where multiple characters often share the blame at any given point. The suspense remains until the very end, leaving viewers in a state of continuous speculation. If you enjoyed the eerie sensation evoked by David Fincher’s “Gone Girl,” then “Side Effects” provides an equally compelling follow-up with its complex characters and morally ambiguous female leads.
If you’ve been affected by tragic events involving mass violence, or if you’re feeling emotionally distressed due to such occurrences, feel free to reach out to the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 for assistance.
Hey there, if you or someone close to you is struggling with mental health issues, remember that you’re not alone. Reach out for help by texting ‘HOME’ to 741741 on the Crisis Text Line, calling the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) helpline at 1-800-950-6264, or exploring resources on the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) website. Take care and keep fighting!
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2024-10-14 21:00