The Game

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2:26

The Game

R

1997

2h 8m

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

77%

Tomatometer

66 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

Times (UK)

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?).

Rated: 4/5

Jun 7, 2021

Full Review

Anton Bitel

Little White Lies

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)

Jul 27, 2020

Full Review

David Ansen

Newsweek

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.

Feb 28, 2018

Full Review

Quentin Falk

Sunday Mirror (UK)

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

Rated: 4/5

Dec 18, 2024

Full Review

Erick Estrada

Cinegarage

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

Apr 26, 2023

Full Review

Dan DiNicola

The Daily Gazette (Schenectady, NY)

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

Rated: C

Jan 10, 2023

Full Review

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Yash B

David Fincher's "The Game" is a mystery thriller that kept me guessing and also in suspense. I felt the consistent intrigue of this story and I felt it is actually a film I would really like to watch again. The movie had a finale that I personally liked and think it all came together in a way that made some sort of sense. Even though it is a bit ridiculous in its premise, I think it has a lot of themes it presents and the main character is a fascinating one to study and unpack. Overall, it is a solid part of the David Fincher library and is just as original as some of the acclaimed director's other works.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/23/25

Full Review

Max W

That was a RIDE. Whenever you think they can't go further, they outdo themselves. Surely there are some inconsistencies, but who cares? Going to be thinking about this for a long time to come.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/07/25

Full Review

Laurian D

Brilliant filmmaking on all aspects. It looks great, the cast is perfect, the plot will keep you guessing right until the very end. An absolute gem of the 90's. Don't miss it!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/26/25

Full Review

Daniel J

Interesting thriller that holds, sustains, and increases the tension. I'd give it 4.25/5 if the star system here allowed 1/4 score increments.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/14/25

Full Review

M7AMD A

i dont know how this movie got a high rating! i felt bored as i watched this nonsense and only stayed to see what the big reveal was and i was disappointed, i probably would have rated it higher if i had watched it in 1997, it was flat and long and boring, i cant say i enjoyed this movie at all and felt like i wasted 2 hours of my time, especially that ending its just is not logical and a complete nonsense Only things that were good were acting and direction

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

11/18/24

Full Review

Fer S

Very good! I just wanted a different ending. The beginning makes you think the movie is gonna suck, but as it progresses you will totally change your mind.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/16/24

Full Review

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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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