The Game

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2:26

The Game

R

1997

2h 8m

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

77%

Tomatometer

65 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)

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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Robin R

It is entertaining enough to sit through, but some of the twists are predictable. The premise of the movie is somewhat dumb, as is the ending. But it's an ok watch overall.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/01/25

Full Review

Raymond S

Well acted and well shot, but the screenplay is ment for the cartoons, so incredibley silly - if you're not 13 or younger.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

07/16/25

Full Review

Mikael H

Can’t really get sucked in when you know it’s a game.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

06/10/25

Full Review

John C

a top-tier thriller that doesn't always seem to get the respect and admiration it clearly deserves.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/21/25

Full Review

Jelisije J

What I love about this film is that I never could guess its ending or what the next scene was going to be. The ending while very good could have been unforgettable if they stuck to their guns and give the audience a more sadder ending that would have fitted the films end goal that I though we were going for.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/30/25

Full Review

Troy R

Bit of a predictable ending when it finally gets there, otherwise a decent thriller till then. Good acting of course as well as some decent action.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/11/25

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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The Game: Trailer 1

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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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