★★★★ 

Watched 03 Mar, 2020

This is a really messed up movie. It can really get your head in a knot. David Fincher is one of the most talented and interesting filmmakers out there and he proves this yet again with Gone Girl. I was on the edge of my seat for all two and a half hours of this movie. It is a nail-biting, gut-wrenching watch, with plot twists and new details emerging every scene. Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike are simply phenomenal in their respective roles. They constantly mesmerise the audience with their unique performances. But what really makes this stand out or be special is the amazing writing by the author of the book it’s based on, Gillian Flynn. She’s masterful in her use of structure and the way a scene is framed. She understands all the key screenwriting rules and writes in a very nuanced way that makes you constantly doubt whatever you’re watching. It’s a very well made movie overall, especially with its visual storytelling techniques. The only weak link in this movie, as much as it pains me to say this, is Neil Patrick Harris, who is probably my favourite actor. He is horribly miscast and his performance seems out of place and off-putting in this story. His initial scene is excellent but his acting seems to go in the wrong direction in every scene afterwards. Otherwise, the movie is still incredibly entertaining and extremely well-made, and you should definitely watch it (unless you just got into a relationship).