Every David Fincher Movie Ranked From Worst To Best

This underrated classic is a near perfect exploration of a man suffering a mid life crisis, and the extremes that those loved ones will go to in an effort to help him. Michael Douglas plays banker Nicholas Van Orton, a millionaire who receives a gift voucher for a 'live game' as a 48th birthday present from his brother Conrad, played with great energy by Sean Penn. The 'gift' soon turns out to offer a little more than anyone expected, as Nicholas unwittingly finds himself in a battle for survival.

Forced to do everything in his power just to stay alive, Nicholas finds himself confronting issues from his past, including his late father's death at his own hands at a similar age to what Nicholas finds himself. Douglas is incredible in exploring a man who 'has everything' material wise, but is slowly losing all that is important in life, with the events of the seemingly deadly game potentially giving him the exact thing he needs- perspective.

The only misgivings around The Game comes in its multiple 'fakeout' endings, with one 'shock' twist too many lessening the impact of the film's message. It was nice however for Fincher to go for a happier ending, although one has to wonder if there is a much darker finish sitting somewhere on a cutting room floor.