Gillian Flynn’s third novel, Gone Girl, was an instant smash and a bestseller when it was released in 2012. The novel was adapted into a film of the same name two years later. In 2014, it became a popular and successful psychological thriller with a large fan following—Rosamund Pike as Amy Dunne and Ben Affleck as Nick Dunne had notable cameos in the Oscar-nominated picture.
Gone Girl starred Neil Patrick Harris, Tyler Perry, and Carrie Coon and directed David Fincher. The film, described as a “postmodern mystery,” depicts what transpired after Nickdan’s wife Amy (Pike) inexplicably disappeared and was probed as a major suspect. Gone Girl is popular for a variety of reasons. For starters, it’s propelled by a ruthless plot that culminates in a spectacular and surprising finale.
The novel and the film both featured a complicated female protagonist who will go to any length to show her bravery. You should watch it if you haven’t already. If that’s the case, we’re certain you’re looking for a twisty plot as well.
There is a strong lady in the middle, and there are numerous twisted and bent movies around every corner. Here are some suggestions for Gone Girl lovers looking to quench their craving for psychological thrillers, ranging from award-winning Hollywood successes to beautiful overseas flicks.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Just before David Fincher made Gone Girl, he worked on this psychological crime thriller. In terms of character development and plot management, fans typically notice some parallels between the two. Christopher Plummer, Stellan Skarsgard, Steven Berkoff, Robin Wright, Yorick van Wageningen, and Joely Richardson feature.
Two versions of the neo-noir film were made. In 2009, a Swedish movie was made, and in 2011, an English movie was made. Fincher oversaw a remake in the United States. For a taste of European filmmaking, see the Swedish version. The American version, on the other hand, is more visually appealing.
Based on the novel of the same name by Swedish writer and journalist Stieg Larsson, the film follows journalist Michael Blomkvist (Craig) as he investigates a missing lady from an affluent family who vanished 40 years ago. Lisbeth Salander, a hacker, is assisting him (Mara). He also has a tragic and dark history. The two go out on a journey to discover the truth about themselves, their personal lives, and the individuals they hire. They eventually unearth a homicidal conspiracy and bring crooks to justice in rural estates. This is the ideal watch to wear before and after seeing Gone Girl.
Tell No One
Despite its success and greatness, this is one of the lesser-known underrated films. Neledis à personne (French: Ne le dis à personne) is a French film based on Harlan Coben’s American novel of the same name. Guillaume Canet directed and co-wrote the picture, which stars Francois Cluse, Marie Jose Klose, and André Dussollier. Canet also has a little part to perform.
The doctor is the focus of the narrative. Alexander Beck (Cruse) is a depressed husband whose wife was murdered eight years ago by a well-known serial murderer. When Beck receives a surprising email, he is about to get his life back on track. Video footage of his wife, who appears normal and alive, is included in the email.
Beck’s life will be turned upside down when two more people die in connection with his wife’s murder. Tell No One follows in the footsteps of Gone Girl in taking you on an emotional, intriguing, and controversial journey. This is a must-see for anyone who likes Gone Girl or crime and criminal literature in general.
Thoroughbreds
Thoroughbreds is a darkly comedic thriller about high school friendships and teens’ complicated emotions. Olivia Cooke, Anya Taylor-Joy, Anton Yelchin, Paul Sparks, and Francie Swift feature in this 2017 film which Cory Finley directs. It tells the narrative of Lily (Joy) and Amanda (Cook), two upper-class best friends who reconnect after a catastrophe. Amanda is devoid of feeling, but Lily is overflowing with it.
Their lack of common empathy brings them together and creates a bizarre and creepy friendship in which they scheme to kill each other.
The setting is high school, but thoroughbreds allude to Gone Girl via suspicious female characters you both like and detest. Underneath a thick coating of vengeance schemes and teenage dread, the picture contains a lot of dry, dark comedy that can be ignored.
Side Effects
Corrupt physicians, pharmaceutical conspiracies, personal vendettas, and, of course, murder – this film has it all. Side Effects stars Jude Law, Rooney Mara, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Channing Tatum and is directed by Steven Soderbergh. It revolves around Emily Taylor (Mara), who is depressed and seeks treatment, and Emily commits a crime while bouncing between her current and prior therapists.
We don’t want to give too much away about the plot since we don’t want to give anything away about the movie. So we’ll let you watch it and figure out what’s going on and why. But we can all agree that the entire ensemble, particularly Jude Law and Rooney Mara, give outstanding performances in Side Effects. It’s intricate and intriguing, and it keeps you engrossed throughout. It will not disappoint you!
Gone Baby Gone
Gone Baby Gone and Gone Girl have two things in common. First, there are parallels in the titles of the two films, and then there’s Ben Affleck. Gone Baby Gone, the actor’s directorial debut, is based on Dennis Lehane’s 1998 novel and the 2007 criminal thriller, Starring Morgan Freeman and Ed Harris, Affleck’s brothers Casey and Michelle Monaghan.
The plot revolves around Boston cops Patrick Kenji (Casey Affleck) and Angie Gennaro (Monahan) as they investigate the disappearance of Amanda, a four-year-old child. Things take a dark turn as Kenji regains consciousness. Is it for the greater good, or is Kenji involved in something sinister? There will be spoilers in the details. Gone Baby Gone is an amazing and fascinating criminal thriller that you should add to your crime watch list.
To Die For
To Die For, a superb female-centric thriller based on a novel by Joyce Maynard is another brilliant female-centric thriller based on a novel. This black comedic thriller should have a lot in common with Gone Girl. Nicole Kidman plays the main character in Gus Van Sant’s picture, starring Joaquin Phoenix, Matt Dillon, Illeana Douglas, Wayne Knight, and Casey Affleck.
The psychological crime drama follows a lady who intends to murder her spouse. It reminds me a lot of Amy Elliott from Gone Girl. An equally complicated lady is at the center of the plot, but To Die For is quite simple. Suzanne Stone (Kidman) is a determined journalist who will stop at nothing to become well-known across the country. She hatches a sinister plot with her boyfriend and his associates to assassinate her husband. There are plenty of tragedies and thrilling moments, but it’s also simple to make this a dark comedy and a thriller at the same time. Check out Nicole Kidman’s incredible portrayal as Suzanne Stone, a ruthless killer, and sociopath.
Dark Places
Released in 2015, Dark Places is another fascinating piece based on the novel of the same name by Gillian Flynn. Written and directed by Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult, Chloe Grace Moretz, Tye Sheridan, Sterling Jerins, Corey Stoll, and Christina Hendricks starring Jill Pakebrener. People from the same author would expect Dark Place’s features and plots to resemble Gone Girl, but that’s not exactly the case.
Theron’s Libby Day is a woman suffering from her past. Libby’s mother and two older sisters were killed when she was eight. But thirty years later, Detective Lyleworth (Holt) began digging into her past and finding out exactly what had happened to Libby’s family. Dark Places wasn’t a big hit in critics and theatres, but it’s worth checking out if you’re a fan of Gillian Flynn’s signature style. Of course, the well-known cast is a bonus.
So! What are you waiting for? Add these movies to your list, and fulfill your thriller fix right away!