The Game

Name: The Game
Genre: Action, Adventure, Mystery, Thriller
Released: September 12, 1997
Duration: 129 min
Rating: 63
Cast: Deborah Kara Unger, Michael Douglas, Sean Penn

1997

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 19 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 395 Ratings

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8.5

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8.5	User Score Universal acclaim based on 395 Ratings

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The Game

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Movie Details & Credits

Polygram Filmed Entertainment | Release Date: September 12, 1997 | R

Starring: Deborah Kara Unger, Michael Douglas, Sean Penn

Summary: There are no rules in ?the game.? And that will make life very difficult for Nicholas Van Orton (Douglas), a successful businessman who is always in control. Van Orton lives a well-ordered life, until an unexpected birthday gift from his brother destroys it all. (Universal)

Director: David Fincher

Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Mystery, Thriller

Rating: R

Runtime: 129 min

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Critic Reviews

David Ansen

This is not a movie that can bear much postgame scrutiny. The minute you begin to question one element of the plot, gaping holes of logic appear throughout. Read full review

Owen Gleiberman

An intensely exciting puzzle-gimmick thriller, the kind of movie that lets you know from the start that it's slyly aware of its own absurdity. Read full review

James Berardinelli

As it's unspooling on screen, the film is hugely entertaining, but there are several significant plot holes that grow wider the more closely they're investigated. Read full review

Elvis Mitchell

Mr. Douglas, who delivers a new shade of cruel elegance each time he plays another urbane monster, is the ideal star for this vigorously contrived thriller. Read full review

Keith Phipps

It's a stylish, cleverly plotted, perpetually unpredictable film with another electric (albeit brief) performance from Penn. So why is it so unaffecting? Read full review

Charles Taylor

Fincher is still working on the assumption that he has better things to do than entertain an audience. Which would be fine if he weren't drawn to such schlocky material. Read full review

Stephen Hunter

Certainly handsome, well made and for most of its running time gripping, the film ultimately turns into a $60-odd-million piffle. Read full review

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User Reviews

Embalmer98

Jun 9, 2021

●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●
÷,÷,÷,÷,÷,÷,÷,÷,÷,÷,÷,÷,÷,÷,,+.+.+.+.+.+.+.=.=.=.=.=.,,,

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

Appendage7

Jan 15, 2020

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Among the tests that Nicholas is asked to take when he interviews at CRS is the MMPI. This is the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory which is one of the most commonly used personality tests in mental health. The test is used by trained professionals to assist in identifying personality structure and psychopathology.… Expand

4 of 7 users found this helpful43

TylerDurden900

Jul 9, 2014

The Game is a smart psychological thriller. Michael Douglas plays Nicholas and he receives an unusual
birthday present from his brother Conrad. Shortly after he sees him odd events start happening to him.
He doesn't know why the events are happening but apparently it's part of the game. ToThe Game is a smart psychological thriller. Michael Douglas plays Nicholas and he receives an unusual
birthday present from his brother Conrad. Shortly after he sees him odd events start happening to him.
He doesn't know why the events are happening but apparently it's part of the game. To uncover the
object of the game defeats it's purpose. Overall a tightly wound thriller from the director of Fight Club,
David Fincher.… Expand

21 of 24 users found this helpful213

Riren

Apr 21, 2007

If you want to make thrillers, watch The Game three times: watch it once for the love of a good movie, watch it a second time to study how its plot twists are organized, and watch it a third for one of the best collections of dream-like scenes in modern film. The Game is a smart, capable If you want to make thrillers, watch The Game three times: watch it once for the love of a good movie, watch it a second time to study how its plot twists are organized, and watch it a third for one of the best collections of dream-like scenes in modern film. The Game is a smart, capable thriller that earns its slick, dark appearance. It's cast is at first competent and quickly grows into a universally interesting group of faces. The plot is layered in a great execution of a wonderfully novel premise: how much of this horror story is the game? The Game earns every inch that it takes, and while it is far-fetched, you can't sit down to watch a movie about an organization that uses conspiracies and mobs of actors to infiltrate and ruin your entire life without suspending disbelief. The Game deserves that suspension, thanks to superb suspense.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful

Spangle

Jun 30, 2013

This is just...what. Talk about a crazy movie that really, truly makes you think. Michael Douglas was awesome in the lead role and Fincher dominated as director. The ending was a little strange and felt unfitting for the rest of the movie, but all in all, a very good film that really has youThis is just...what. Talk about a crazy movie that really, truly makes you think. Michael Douglas was awesome in the lead role and Fincher dominated as director. The ending was a little strange and felt unfitting for the rest of the movie, but all in all, a very good film that really has you on the edge of your seat.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

alejandro970

May 8, 2021

What to give the man who has everything? The idea of creating a Hitchcock-style suspense plot looked good from the surface; the intention was good even though the plot is not entirely perfect. What is appreciated is that the film manages to keep the viewer's attention. For a weekend evening.

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

amheretojudge

Sep 12, 2019

I use the word "bratty" for the way it is endorsed, there is no thrill if there is no empathy.

The Game Fincher's bratty film is in no way near the genre it claims for. Not thrilling, nor mysterious, no drama. The only possible way it would fall under the section "crime" is if we arrest itI use the word "bratty" for the way it is endorsed, there is no thrill if there is no empathy.

The Game

Fincher's bratty film is in no way near the genre it claims for. Not thrilling, nor mysterious, no drama. The only possible way it would fall under the section "crime" is if we arrest it for forging the documents on applying it under those above mentioned genres. That was way too harsh. So I should take some heat off and put someone worthy on the stand. And it is not the director David Fincher. He shouldn't be blamed at all. I wouldn't even call it his choice. And instead it is the writer whose desperate pointless venture of creating a mind bending experience for the viewers fails repeatedly in the film.

And it grows annoying to be honest, after a while. The eye opening revelations are hair pulling disasters where the predictability is just a cherry on top. Where the only thing sad above the fact that Fincher has to keep all this mess togethers, is that someone talented as Michael Douglas has to go through the banal set of rules for The Game.

Mostly, I find people around me gushing over the nail biting climax and to be honest I don't mind the old flip and turn show. I couldn't care less. No matter how much hard Christopher McQuarrie tries in Mission Impossible: Fallout, he could barely draw out a nod from me. But that is only because we know that those fireworks won't ever glorify your night. The real crux is on how clean and precise you are on spiraling out the web of lies. Especially a film like this that has to keep its audience in the dark all the time. And that is why I love the first act of the film, it is properly polished, beautifully edited and smartly directed. The obvious things never go loud and if they do, they are intended to be.… Expand

0 of 8 users found this helpful08

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59	#59 Best Movie of 1997
15	#15 Most Discussed Movie of 1997
23	#23 Most Shared Movie of 1997