Over time,David Fincher’sGone Girlhas risen to cult classic status. This is not the least surprising considering that it is a great book-to-screen adaptation with masterful direction and a gripping narrative. Although these are all great aspects, Fincher’sessential psychological thrillerthrives in how it portrays its layered, almost frightening lead character, fully making the most out ofRosamund Pike’s astounding efforts.
It’s not difficult to be captivated by the unforgettable character of Amy Dunne, whether due to her intelligence, wickedness, or moral ambiguity. After all, Dunne has become one of Hollywood’s most compelling female characters, embodying darker aspects of human nature and subverting expectations. Fortunately for fans of the film, many films echo Amy’s nature. In this list,we explore films that share thematic elements withGone Girl, featuring similar charactersthat challenge societal norms.
With his wife’s disappearance having become the focus of an intense media circus, a man sees the spotlight turned on him when it’s suspected that he may not be innocent.
10’The Love Witch' (2016)
Director: Anna Biller
Anna Biller’sstylized arthouse horrorThe Love Witchis the perfect pick to watch this fall. The film focuses on a modern-day witch named Elaine (Samantha Robinson) who uses spells, potions, and witchcraft to get men to fall in love with her, only to be driven to the brink of madness and murder thanks to her desperation to be loved.
Although not as calculated and meticulous as Amy,Elaine shares some similarities with theGone Girllead character, including her manipulation skills and intelligence.Amy and Elaine are complex characters with a strong desire for control who challenge traditional gender roles. As such, audiences who enjoyed Fincher’s movie and are looking for a Halloween-y alternative may want to give this visually absorbing thriller and sharp critique of gender dynamics a try.
The Love Witch
9’Hard Candy' (2005)
Director: David Slade
David Slade’s compelling psychological thriller follows precocious teenager Hayley (Elliot Page) who goes to a coffee shop to meet a photographer she met on the Internet (Patrick Wilson). He thinks he’s in for a treat, but Hayley plays an unexpected trick on him, attempting to get a confession after drugging and tying him down.
While victimhood is a touchy subject,Hard Candyportrays its layered lead character as much more than one, exploring her agency and making her morally ambiguous — Hayley initially appears as a victim of potential predatory behavior, but that does not stop her from taking the matter into her own hands.Like Amy, Hayley is resourceful and intelligent, with her actions motivated by revenge. Furthermore, much likeGone Girl,Hard Candyalso explores power imbalances.
Hard Candy
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8’Anatomy of a Fall' (2023)
Director: Justine Triet
Justine Triet’s Oscar-winning movie (Best Original Screenplay) may not be the film that immediately comes to mind when one thinks aboutGone Girl.However, the two share similarities, particularly regarding the lead characters and suspenseful premise. In the film, a woman (the Oscar-nominatedSandraHüller) is suspected of murder after her husband’s (Samuel Theis) death, with their half-blind son (Milo Machado-Graner) facing a moral dilemma as the main witness.
Whether because of how both movies comment on media representation and public perception or how they blur the lines between hero and villain,Anatomy of a Falland Fincher’sbrilliant courtroom dramamake for intriguing watches with shared qualities. Sandra and Amy may not be the most identical characters (though both are morally ambiguous and complex). However,the journey they undergo and the challenges they face in the eyes of society and the legal system exhibit a few resemblances.
Anatomy of a Fall
Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
Set in 1950s London,Daniel Day-Lewis' last film before retiring (althoughhe is now set to returnto acting in his son’s directorial debut) is visually striking. The story follows renowned dressmaker Reynolds Woodcock and his sister Cyril (Lesley Manville). His tailored life takes a turn when it is disrupted by the young and strong-willed Alma (VickyKrieps), who later becomes his muse and lover.
LikeGone Girl,Phantom Threadexplores complex romantic bonds and psychological manipulation. WhilePaul Thomas Anderson’s movie sees the two protagonists attempting to dominate each other — starting with Reynolds, with Alma eventually turning the tables on him — Fincher’s picture sheds light on Amy’s meticulous schemes to punish Nick. Both films offer audiences an intriguing premise centering around strong-minded female characters who assert their identity and shift power dynamics in their relationships.
Phantom Thread
6’The Handmaiden' (2016)
Director: Park Chan-wook
Park Chan-wook’s South Korean erotic thriller follows an orphaned girl pickpocket (Kim Tae-ri) who is recruited by a Korean con man (Ha Jung-woo) to help him seduce and bilk out of her inheritance a Japanese heiress (Kim Min-hee) who lives in a secluded countryside estate.
If viewers enjoyed the plot twists thatGone Girlprovided,The Handmaidenis a solid pick, too. Featuring a few unexpected turns of events, the film explores themes of manipulation and deception, featuring controlling relationships and shifting power dynamics at the center of their narratives. FromAmy Dunne and Sook-hee’s personalities — skilled manipulators with high intelligence and plenty of resourcefulness— to the themes of female sexuality and empowerment the movies tackle, both masterfully directed pictures are worth one’s time.
The Handmaiden
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5’Double Indemnity' (1944)
Director: Billy Wilder
Billy Wilderis well-known for his astounding work in plenty of Old Hollywood pictures, andDouble Indemnityranks high on the list. StarringFred MacMurrayandBarbara Stanwyck, it sees a Los Angeles insurance representative seduced by a housewife into a scheme of insurance fraud and murder.
Phylis Dietrichson and Amy Dunne, portrayed as powerful women in their respective movies, use their charm and intelligence to manipulate those around themand achieve their goals. Furthermore,Double Indemnity, which features a top-notch visual style andan iconic femme fatale, also deals with themes of betrayal and trust in intimate connections, exploring the darker aspects of relationships and simultaneously providing viewers with a commentary on societal expectations and gender roles.
Double Indemnity
4’Promising Young Woman' (2020)
Director: Emerald Fennell
One of the films that share the most similarities withGone Girlregarding its portrayal of revenge and social commentaryisPromising Young Woman. TheEmerald FennellpicturefollowsCarey Mulligan’s cunning and smart Cassie, who lives a secret double life. A wild turn of events takes place when she is given the chance to right the wrongs from the past.
Both Amy and Cassie are driven by personal trauma and orchestrate complex plans to punish those who hurt them: Amy attempts to frame Nick, while Cassie pretends to be vulnerable to expose predatory men who take advantage of women. Whether through their exploration of societal demeanor toward women or meditation about how easily manipulated public perception is,Gone GirlandPromising Young Womenare suspenseful films with thematic similarities that raise thought-provoking questions about morality.
Promising Young Woman
3’To Die For' (1995)
Director: Gus Van Sant
Gus Van Santdives into the dark aspects of human nature inTo Die For.NicoleKidmanstars in a transformative roleas a beautiful, glamorous, and ambitious woman determined to become a television personality. Despite the support of her local pizza owner husband (Matt Dillon), Suzanne feels unfilled and embarks on a quest to find stardom, which includes a documentary on teenagers.
This satirical black comedy-drama also analyzes manipulation, particularly the manipulation of public perception, and the impact of the media on personal narratives. Additionally,To Die For’s lead character shares similar motivations withGone Girl’s Amy. Amy and Suzanne are equally morally ambiguous personalities motivated by a desire for control who engage in elaborate plans to come out on top.
To Die For
2’Diabolique' (1955)
Director: Henri-Georges Clouzot
Whether it is their intricate plots centered around deception or the elaborate schemes at their center,Gone GirlandDiaboliquecertainly share strong similarities. The latter, a French psychological thriller, follows the wife and mistress (Simone SignoretandVéra Clouzot) of a school principal (Paul Meurisse) as they elaborate a plan to murder him with what they believe is the perfect alibi.
Folding gradually and perfectly building gripping suspense throughout, this groundbreaking film has certainly served as an inspiration for Fincher’s now beloved fan-favorite. Not only areGone GirlandDiabolique’s characters motivated by their husbands' infidelity and deceitbut they are also narrated by unreliable narrators, building a strong sense of psychological tension and keeping audiences on the edge of their seats.
Diabolique
1’Basic Instinct' (1992)
Director: Paul Verhoeven
Sharon Stonesteps feet into one of her most memorable roles inPaul Verhoeven’sBasic Instinct, ablockbuster erotic thrillermostly following a police detective (Michael Douglas) who investigates a brutal murder that may or may not involve a manipulative and seductive novelist.
The similarities betweenGone GirlandBasic Instinctare evident, starting with the themes of media manipulation, through the unreliable narrators, to their exploration of sexuality as a form of empowerment. Those who enjoyed the psychological games seen in Fincher’s movie will probably enjoy sitting throughBasic Instinct; Catherine often relies on her wits and charm to seduce the detective investigating her and manipulate situations to her advantage, sharing many other traits with Amy as well.
