Directed by David Fincher and based on the book by Gillian Flynn, Gone Girl follows Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck), as his life is turned upside down from the media circus involving the disappearance of his wife (Rosamund Pike). Eventually, the spotlight is turned on Nick when it’s questioned if he was involved.

The story is told from two perspectives as it transitions between the past and the present. The present specifically focuses on Nick, as the past is solely fixated on Amy. Told through her diary entries, Amy’s perspective is one of the more interesting aspects of the film. Her diary tells everything from complications of her relationship with Nick, to when they started dating, to the night of the disappearance. These segments may be short in length but definitely add more depth to the story.

Pike’s portrayal of Amy is captivating. Her mysterious and intelligent persona is unsettling and one of the year’s most memorable performances. She proves to be a worthy Oscar contender in this upcoming award season.

The film is displayed in a very similar manner to most of Fincher’s past work. It has a strong sense of “The Social Network,” with its stylish dark tone and effective editing pattern. Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross return with another killer soundtrack. The music fits in perfectly in the more powerful scenes and is enough to send chills down the spine.

There are points where the film decides to take a break from the seriousness of the plot in exchange for comic relief. The dark humor is reminiscent of the wit of “Fight Club.” As odd as it is, it’s necessary relief due to the film’s heavy subject matter.

Despite its 149-minute running time, “Gone Girl” is an immersive piece of art. I don’t remember a single moment where I dazed off from its absorbing storyline. It’s up there with one of the year’s best narratives and possibly one of the best of the decade. There are so many pivotal plot points and shocking reveals that people will still have their jaw on the floor long after the credits roll.

Aside from its stylish looks and well-acted performances, “Gone Girl” stands outs for being an accurate representation of today’s media. The disappearance of Amy catches the attention of news channels everywhere and soon almost the entire country is following the case. The media becomes harsh on Nick, accusing him of being responsible for his wife’s disappearance along with other ridiculous accusations. It spirals out of control and starts destroying his life. A notable case of this is when they accuse Nick of having sexual relations with his twin sister. It’s comical in a dark way, yet sad because some of the same situations occur in today’s society. It speaks to how the media can make you or destroy you.

“Gone Girl” is a David Fincher gem. Consisting of all of his unique elements of filmmaking and a knockout performance by Pike, it’s a film that will be up for plenty of awards and will be talked about for a long time.

Rating:  4.5/5 Tomahawks