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Gone Girl

Gone Girl is a 2014 American psychological thriller film directed by David Fincher and written by Gillian Flynn, based on Flynn’s 2012 novel of the same name.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Gone Girl is a 2014 American psychological thriller film directed by David Fincher and written by Gillian Flynn, based on her 2012 novel of the same name. The film stars Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike as a married couple whose relationship becomes the focus of a high-profile missing-person case and media scrutiny. Released theatrically in October 2014, it became one of Fincher’s highest-grossing films.

Background

Gone Girl began as a bestselling 2012 novel by Gillian Flynn. Flynn later adapted her own book into the screenplay for the film version directed by David Fincher.

Plot

The story centers on Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) after his wife Amy (Rosamund Pike) disappears on their fifth wedding anniversary. As the investigation develops, media attention and public suspicion intensify around the marriage and Nick’s possible involvement.

Production and release

The film was directed by David Fincher and produced by several companies including TSG Entertainment and Fox-related entities. It premiered as the opening film at the 52nd New York Film Festival in September 2014 and opened in U.S. theatres on October 3, 2014.

Reception

The film received positive reviews and strong box-office results. It grossed about US$370 million worldwide, becoming Fincher’s highest-grossing film. Rosamund Pike’s performance received major awards attention, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.

Key facts

  • The film adapts Gillian Flynn’s 2012 novel of the same name.
  • Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike star as Nick and Amy Dunne.
  • David Fincher directed the film.
  • The film premiered at the New York Film Festival and opened in October 2014.
  • It grossed over US$370 million worldwide.
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Canadian context

The film was distributed in Canada as part of its international theatrical release and is widely known to Canadian audiences as a major Hollywood adaptation of a bestselling novel.

Frequently asked questions

Is Gone Girl a book or a film?
Both: it is a 2014 film adapted from Gillian Flynn’s 2012 novel.
Who directed Gone Girl?
David Fincher directed the film.
Who wrote the screenplay?
Gillian Flynn wrote the screenplay, adapting her own novel.
Who plays the main characters?
Ben Affleck plays Nick Dunne and Rosamund Pike plays Amy Dunne.
When was Gone Girl released?
It premiered in September 2014 and was released in U.S. theatres on October 3, 2014.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gone_Girl_(film)
    Supports: Basic film identification, director, writer, cast, release dates, box office, and festival premiere.
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/gone_girl
    Supports: Synopsis, director, producer, screenwriter, distributor, rating, genre, and release date.
  3. WhatCulture — https://whatculture.com/film/20-things-you-didnt-know-about-gone-girl
    Supports: Adaptation from Flynn’s novel, screenplay credit, cast, and production notes.
  4. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2267998/
    Supports: Director, writer, cast, and critical description of the film.