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The Game

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

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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 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?). Go to Full Review 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) Go to Full Review 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. Go to Full Review Eddie Harrison film-authority.com Feb 1
4/5
…this is a far better movie than say The Killer, and better than director David Fincher thinks. If they’d kept the ending, and upped the social commentary within a bit more pointed critique of Van Orton’s lifestyle, this could have been a classic… Go to Full Review 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. Go to Full Review Erick Estrada Cinegarage 04/26/2023
One of Fincher's best. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Blake T @RT95241830 Mar 10 Stupidest movie I've EVER seen. You're telling me they [spoiler] knew he was gonna bring the revolver? Shoot his brother? GO ON THE ROOF TO JUMP? Because how else would he be PUSHED OFF THERE? They put a SAFEGUARD. They even marked the floor?? After several days of straight agony, breaking in and vandalising his house, putting him in a car UNDERWATER, faking not one, but TWO (three??) shootings, culminating in DRUGGING HIM and PUTTING HIM IN A CASKET IN MEXICO??? And after everything, his brother was like "happy birthday bro!" and he replied with "THANK YOU"? This is pure shit. Absolute trash. Do NOT recommend minus a thousand holy FU My day was actually ruined by this. I was having a fantastic day. I hope everyone who worked on this burns in HELL See more Dave N @DNeale Mar 9 Hard to believe David Fincher did Seven then did this - I've read that he actually regrets making The Game, and I can see why. It's one of the most ludicrous movies I've ever seen, although I think if you go into it thinking of it as a mystery with fantasy/sci-fi elements it might work a lot better, as you would then be prepared for the absurdities. The premise is great, but clearly no one knew where to take it. See more Brent G @bgillett86 Mar 9 Does everything make sense? Not really, but my butt was puckered for the last hour or so of this unforgettable psychological thriller. See more Clifford C @Craneiv77 Feb 8 Literally one of the best movies I've ever seen!! See more Raphaël T @Salbataaar Feb 6 From the beginning to the end, this movie has all the qualities of 90's cinema, serving a great plot, fluid character development and excellent storyline. It's quite easy to watch and even though we seem to know where we are going, we're in for surprises. An entertaining movie, going alongside the likes of "Usual Suspects". See more Amber D. @Amber.Rochelle86 Jan 25 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. See more 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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The Game

The Game: Trailer 1 The Game: Trailer 1 2:26 View more videos
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The Game

The Game (1997) The Game (1997) The Game (1997) The Game (1997) View more photos

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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