Despite almost 5 years having elapsed since Gone Girl was released, it remains embedded into many peoples' brains. A two and a half hour thriller/mystery that initially lulls the viewer into the traditional thriller tropes of an unfortunate, defenceless wife, her moody husband and a failing marriage. Ultimately, by the end of the film, the viewer is left questioning all of their initial prejudices. 

 

Based on the book by Gillian Flynn, Amy Dunne, played by Rosamund Pike, is the daughter of successful author parents who have used her life as the storyline in their books. Amy falls for the brooding Nick Dunne, played by Ben Affleck, after they meet at a party.

 

However, after being married and living together, Amy suddenly disappears in what appears to be a break in at their home. A media frenzy is quickly built up by Amy’s parents and as days pass, Nick gradually becomes a suspect in the missing person case. 

 

Flynn adapted the book herself as the screenplay writer and had the difficult task of adjusting the subtle nuances of this story for screens. Each conversation and character has realism, as every personality has depth within their intentions, desires and flaws. As characters converse with one another, these are slowly revealed to the viewer. These flaws make the characters difficult to sympathise with, but make the motives for their actions understandable.

 

Pike gives an incredible performance as Amy, who becomes the anti-hero of the film. Conveying both the endearing ‘Amazing Amy’ as well as a woman who is conniving and deceptive. Pike’s soft, deep voice strikes the perfect tone for Amy’s narration, and makes the ‘Cool Girl' monologue into one of the most striking and memorable parts of the film.

 

A montage of Amy going into hiding plays out, she bleaches and cuts her hair, shops for junk food, and chugs cola straight from the bottle in a planned, methodical way. All while giving a scathing commentary on her relationship with Nick, and her performative feminism to be the ideal ‘Cool Girl’, that reflects the traditional gender roles of a relationship. 

 

The costume in this film expertly portrays Amy’s own interpretation of femininity. When she meets Nick at the party, she is wearing a sleek black dress, when she is going into hiding she wears neutral shades in comfortable trousers and a bandana in her hair, and when she knows she will be seen by the media again, she wears a white slip nightie, and is covered in blood.

 

Each costume change represents her internal gaze that is always wondering what the world is seeing, and how she must present herself to conform to this. It is another element that makes the character of Amy Dunne dynamic as well as disturbing. 

Flynn transformed the thriller/mystery genre, as film and tv shows released since, have put dangerous women at the forefront, with titles such as; The Girl on the Train (2016), Big Little Lies (2017) and Killing Eve (2018). Prior to this, it was unusual to see complex, three-dimensional female villains as the main protagonist in thrillers/mysteries, Gone Girl made an impact on the industry and we now have a range of compelling thrillers/mysteries on our screens influenced by it.