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The Game

Play trailer 2:26 Poster for The Game R 1997 2h 8m Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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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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Critics Reviews

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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 Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Alain E This has the same relevance to reality as a Superman movie. It is very well photographed by the prematurely lost Harry Savides. Michael Douglas is a financier whose only interest is moving money around. Divorced, lives alone in a mansion and eats what his housekeeper prepares. For his upcoming birthday his younger estranged brother gifts him an experience with an obscure company. Instead of a gold watch or a sumptuous meal he is being shot at, thrown in a body of water while inside a locked taxi and abandoned without money somewhere in Mexico. He survives all that plus falling from a high rise inside a hotel ballroom many levels lower and finally gets his birthday reception. Excellent movie to be appreciated by middle aged adolescents. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 04/14/25 Full Review Cooper D The best thriller I have ever watched. So unpredictable and fantastic acting as well. Would 10/10 recommend, get your popcorn for this one. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/07/25 Full Review Pradeep V Wow this is so suspenseful that it defines the genre. Can't take eyes off the screen, so nicely done 👍 Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/27/25 Full Review 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 Read all reviews
The Game

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Cast & Crew

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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

Movie Clips

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The Game

The Game: Official Clip - Happy Birthday, Nicky The Game: Official Clip - Happy Birthday, Nicky 2:59 The Game: Official Clip - Back from the Dead The Game: Official Clip - Back from the Dead 2:54 The Game: Official Clip - He's Got a Gun The Game: Official Clip - He's Got a Gun 2:24 The Game: Official Clip - Deadly Cab Ride The Game: Official Clip - Deadly Cab Ride 3:00 The Game: Official Clip - You're With Them The Game: Official Clip - You're With Them 2:52 The Game: Official Clip - She's In On It The Game: Official Clip - She's In On It 2:42 The Game: Official Clip - Bad Waitress The Game: Official Clip - Bad Waitress 2:11 The Game: Official Clip - A Profound Life Experience The Game: Official Clip - A Profound Life Experience 2:53 The Game: Official Clip - The Game Begins The Game: Official Clip - The Game Begins 2:56 View more videos

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Movie Info

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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