Director David Fincher’s film adaptation of the best-selling novel, “Gone Girl”, is arguably one of the most thrilling and mind-boggling films of the year. Stellar acting creates gripping mystery and enticing themes of revenge and deceit in “Gone Girl,” a two and half hour roller coaster ride from start to finish.

Gone Girl, written by Gillian Flynn, tells the story of a former writer, Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck), who moves from New York City to North Carthage, Missouri with his wife Amy (Rosamund Pike) to care for his dying mother. On the morning of the Dunne’s fifth wedding anniversary, Amy vanishes from the home and Nick becomes the prime suspect in her disappearance. While he enlists the help of his family and a crafty defense attorney (Tyler Perry), Nick struggles to prove his innocence to Amy’s family, friends, and the entire community.

The acting throughout the film drove the plotline and brought forth the eerie suspense surrounding Amy’s disappearance. Ben Affleck portrays the character of Nick perfectly as confused and anxious, yet determined to uncover the real truth about his wife. Nick is unaware of how to behave under the circumstances, causing others to be suspicious of him because of his supposed lack of concern. Affleck’s performance was engaging and interesting because of his ability to act as both the victim of a cruel hoax and the deceptive liar that the community views him as.

While Affleck’s performance is definitely noteworthy, Rosamund Pike’s equally as impressive. Pike’s portrayal of both the scared victim and the deceptive antagonist contributes to the mystery that captures the audience’s attention. For the rest of the film, viewers begin to question Amy’s actions and watch with both horror and awe as she creates the perfect plot to destroy her husband.

“Gone Girl” is an emotional and physical thrill ride that is certain to receive a few Academy Award nominations later this year.

Nicole Williams | Editor-in-Chief
[email protected]