I’m going to be completely honest here even though I’m about to lose some of my movie buff credit – this is my first David Fincher film. I know it’s disgraceful, and if it helps, after seeing this movie, I KNOW I’m going to check out more Fincher. Because what he did with Gone Girl is nothing short of brilliant.

I’m not even sure what I can say about the plot. This is one of those movies where the less you know going in, the better. But I will say that this film is a brilliant social commentary on marriage and the media. The directing, the editing, the writing… it’s all so good, but I don’t know how to discuss it except by saying that the story is great and it’s pulled off in such a spectacular fashion.

I guess I could talk about the acting. Ben Affleck offers a very strong turn in portraying what may or may not be an unreliable narrator, Carrie Coon is also wonderful and his sister, and it’s nice to see Neil Patrick Harris and Tyler Perry branch out into more serious roles. Expect this film to get a SAG Ensemble nomination.

However, the number one reason you should see this movie is Rosamond Pike. Pike is absolutely mesmerizing in the role of Amy Dunne, and she’s going to make things very tough for Julianne Moore & Amy Adams in the awards circuit.

Now initially I had this pegged as the possible Best Picture Winner, but now I highly doubt that will happen. It’ll get a nomination, but it’s not the type of movie that wins. But it will almost certainly get a nomination. I wish I could talk more about the film in depth, but that would require spoilers, and I’m not gonna go there. All I can tell you is to see this movie. You just have to trust me on this.

*****