Disclaimer: What follows are specific plot details of “Gone Girl.” The review contains spoilers regarding the movie. Do not read this review if you have not watched the movie yet, and wish to in the future.

“I think it’s your chin, It’s quite villainous,” Amy Elliot (Rosamund Pike) said to Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) after meeting him for the first time at a house party in NYC. Who would know that this moment would leave a sense of irony in the audiences, as Dunne all-too-soon becomes the villain.

In this crime-thriller-mystery film based on the book written by Gillian Flynn, Gone Girl utilizes techniques rarely used, but super effective, like soft focuses, fade-outs and shot-reverse-shots, in which every detail is highly intimate–and then a black screen fades the shot.

Some may say the token mystery techniques are cinematographer, Jeff Cronenweth’s signature, whom also filmed The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. In both films he plays with low-key and fluorescent lighting, depending on the situation–surreal to real.

A lot of character development happens in this movie, and just like with Dragon Tattoo, director David Fincher had a method to his madness, picking actors he thought would best “hang into each character,” like he reveals in an interview for Dragon Tattoo seen below.

Gillian Flynn not only wrote the book, she wrote the screenplay, as well. Stylistic choices from the book can still be seen throughout the movie, with details in the corner such as “July 5th. The morning of,” and “July 6th. One day gone.” The film maintains Elliot’s narration in certain scenes, too. Usually during her narration, the audience watches her quirky hand-writing in her journal.

What makes the movie go up from an eight point five to a nine point five, however, is the use of sound. Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross were the main people in charge of music and just like Cronenworth and Fincher, they contributed their styles to Dragon Tattoo. Now, they play with non diegetic sound, muting outside voices and amplifying Elliot’s during her narration of various scenes. They also continuously use repetition of music depending on the scene. One song in particular Reznor and Ross use is an entrancing, hypnotizing one whenever Dunne and Elliot are together.

I could go on and on about the little details that make Gone Girl as a film work out, but I should also appraise the actors. Affleck’s shy demeanor, yet brazen attitude was just right for the movie; Tanner Bolt (Tyler Perry), Dunne’s defense attorney, brought some much-needed comic relief. But the real star of the show was Rosamund Pike and her many subtle facial expressions. That amount of emotion takes dedication and she is such a fantastic actress for it.

Even though I have never heard of Rosamund Pike before I watched the movie, now I’m an avid fan. If you want to see a complex mystery thriller, mangled with twists and rich dedication and detail, I recommend watching Gone Girl. It may be one of the best films I’ve seen in a long time!

Parkway West Pathfinder gives “Gone Girl” a 9.5/10.