The Game

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2:26

The Game

R

1997

2h 8m

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

77%

Tomatometer

64 Reviews

84%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Nicholas Van Orton (Michael Douglas) is a successful banker who keeps mostly to himself. When his estranged brother Conrad (Sean Penn) returns on his birthday with an odd gift -- participation in a personalized, real-life game -- Nicholas reluctantly accepts. Initially harmless, the game grows increasingly personal, and Orton begins to fear for his life as he eludes agents from the mysterious game's organizers. With no one left to trust and his money gone, Orton must find answers for himself.

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Critics Consensus

The ending could use a little work but this is otherwise another sterling example of David Fincher's iron grip on atmosphere and storytelling.

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Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

06/07/2021

4/5

It looks stunning, with every shadowy scene seemingly dipped in ink and some rapid-fire edits balanced by more experimental touches (super slow-mo squash, anyone?).

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Anton Bitel

Little White Lies

07/27/2020

The more we invest in Nicholas' bank of experiences, the more we display our willing complicity with, even subservience to, a system that lets cocooned elites merely play games (on an urban, even international scale)

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David Ansen

Newsweek

02/28/2018

The rational side of my brain can pick this movie apart until all that's left is incoherent threads. The movie-mad side, happy to lose control, had a hell of a good time.

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Quentin Falk

Sunday Mirror (UK)

12/18/2024

4/5

The plot develops into a nerve-tingling thriller of bluff and double bluff set in San Francisco.

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Erick Estrada

Cinegarage

04/26/2023

One of Fincher's best. [Full review in Spanish]

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Dan DiNicola

The Daily Gazette (Schenectady, NY)

01/10/2023

C

Douglas works hard, and even if it's at first enticing, the movie is shallow and much ado about nothing.

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Amber D.

@Amber.Rochelle86 3d

Oh my goodness- the score was AWFUL! You know how when a teenager thinks they’re gonna be the next Mozart so they “play” piano every chance they get… it’s not terrible music but it is kinda bad? This sounded like that but INCESSANTLY! It didn’t even fit what was happening in the movie!! The acting was very good. I personally felt it was all pretty predictable, but still an enjoyable watch.

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Kylo Ren 0

Jan 19

Ich habe diesen Film heute das erste Mal gesehen und bin begeistert er sieht immer noch top aus hat eine Top schauspielerische Leistung von Michael Douglas und als Thriller funktioniert er obwohl nicht mal Horror artige Thriller Elemente drin vorkommen. Er überrascht von seiner Idee diesem Spiel dass du nicht weißt wie weit es geht und wenn du glaubst du hast dass du durchschaut merkst du dass du es nicht durchgeschaut hast. Das macht den Film so interessant und clever das fand ich richtig toll. Kann ich sowas von empfehlen 8,5 von 10 Punkten 😊

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Rich F.

@richfrein Jan 19

David Fincher’s early work but shows where his career started and how he became one of my favorite directors. I love the twists and turns that keep you guessing.

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James S

@L010qa00q01 Jan 18

My favourite movie of all time. I can vividly remember shifting around my seat, on edge with suspense. So much so, I cared absolutely none for the inconsistencies in the plot. I can also remember balling my absolute eyes out with a ton of emotions during the ending. I think its a movie that sticks with you for a long time, and cannot recommend it enough.

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Miles W.

@mileslovesmovies99 Dec 23

This movie is very twisty and keeps you guessing. It’s a suspenseful thrill ride and I would definitely check it out.

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Sphincter M.

@SphincterMagic Nov 19

Original and keeps you on your toes. Crazy ending.

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David Fincher

Director

Michael Douglas

Nicholas Van Orton

Sean Penn

Conrad Van Orton

Deborah Kara Unger

Christine

James Rebhorn

Jim Feingold

Peter Donat

Samuel Sutherland

The Game: Official Clip - Happy Birthday, Nicky

2:59

The Game: Official Clip - Back from the Dead

2:54

The Game: Official Clip - He's Got a Gun

2:24

The Game: Official Clip - Deadly Cab Ride

3:00

The Game: Official Clip - You're With Them

2:52

The Game: Official Clip - She's In On It

2:42

The Game: Official Clip - Bad Waitress

2:11

The Game: Official Clip - A Profound Life Experience

2:53

The Game: Official Clip - The Game Begins

2:56

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Synopsis

Nicholas Van Orton (Michael Douglas) is a successful banker who keeps mostly to himself. When his estranged brother Conrad (Sean Penn) returns on his birthday with an odd gift -- participation in a personalized, real-life game -- Nicholas reluctantly accepts. Initially harmless, the game grows increasingly personal, and Orton begins to fear for his life as he eludes agents from the mysterious game's organizers. With no one left to trust and his money gone, Orton must find answers for himself.

Director: David Fincher
Producer: Steve Golin, Ceán Chaffin
Screenwriter: Michael Ferris, John D. Brancato
Production Co: PolyGram Filmed Entertainment
Rating: R
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 15, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $48.3M
Runtime: 2h 8m
Sound Mix: Surround

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