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Film fans urged to watch ‘incredible mindf**k’ 90s movie that viewers think was ‘life changing’
Home>Entertainment>Film
Updated 18:10 20 Jul 2024 GMT+1Published 17:53 20 Jul 2024 GMT+1

Film fans urged to watch ‘incredible mindf**k’ 90s movie that viewers think was ‘life changing’

Michael Douglas and Sean Penn star in the movie from 1997

Joe Harker

Joe Harker

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Film fans digging back through the treasure trove of 90s movies might want to know about one from the guy who directed Se7en, Zodiac, Fight Club and The Social Network.

The guy we're talking about is David Fincher, who directed the movie of which you're being encouraged to watch by reading this thing.

Basically, we start with Michael Douglas playing a b**tard of a banker in San Francisco whose birthday is coming up.

It doesn't look like they're having much fun. (PolyGram Films)
It doesn't look like they're having much fun. (PolyGram Films)

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His brother (Sean Penn) shows up with a gift, a voucher for a company that will offer a game tailored to each individual person.

Obviously, in a film called The Game, our main character decides to give it a go as his life spirals further and further out of control and he has no idea whether it's all part of the game or not.

What else goes on we couldn't possibly tell you, you'll just have to watch the movie if it's sufficiently piqued your interest.

If you are curious though, you can watch the trailer here:

It certainly got a good critical reception when it released as it was called a 'sterling example of David Fincher's iron grip on atmosphere and storytelling' and the movie was praised for its ability to be 'playing to the paranoia'.

Leading actor Douglas said that in his time in the world of entertainment, it was 'one of the very few movies that you could not guess the ending', though the director wasn't quite such a fan of his own work.

Fincher said his wife told him 'don't make The Game' and suggested that in hindsight she was right despite the positive reviews it got.

While critics might have liked the movie, it didn't quite end up as such a smash hit at the box office and has probably ended up as one of the lesser known movies among the works of both actor and director.

That is one creepy looking doll. (PolyGram Films)
That is one creepy looking doll. (PolyGram Films)

You never hear anyone say, 'David Fincher, the guy who directed The Game' do you?

Still, the film is highly praised in some circles as people who've seen it have said it was 'life changing' and 'a must watch'.

Another viewer said it 'made me call every single one of my family and friends and let them know I love them'.

It really is an 'incredible mindf**k' of a film if that's your cup of tea, so perhaps it'd best be described as a cult classic.

Do we really get 'cult classic' movies any more, or has that portion of the moviegoing experience been sliced out by ballooning budgets and a need to get as many bums on seats as possible?

The Game is available to watch in the UK on Amazon Prime, Apple TV and the Sky Store.

Featured Image Credit: Walt Disney Studios

Topics: TV and Film, Film, Celebrity

Joe Harker
Joe Harker

Joe graduated from the University of Salford with a degree in Journalism and worked for Reach before joining the LADbible Group. When not writing he enjoys the nerdier things in life like painting wargaming miniatures and chatting with other nerds on the internet. He's also spent a few years coaching fencing. Contact him via [email protected]

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@MrJoeHarker

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