"Gerald's Game" (2017)

Rating: R:18

Genre: Drama, Horror, Mystery & Suspense

Directed By:    Mike Flanagan

Written By: Mike Flanagan, Jeff Howard

Released: September 29^th, 2017

Runtime: 103 minutes

Studio: Netflix

Summary:

A woman accidentally kills her husband during a kinky game. Handcuffed to her bed with no hope of rescue, she begins hearing voices and seeing strange visions.

Review:

This is a great horror film. It’s not one I would re-watch per say, but it’s definitely worth the one anyway. It’s psychological horror at its finest. The tension is always there, never faulters. You are kept guessing and alert continuously. The pace is spot on. Sure, there are a few things it could have stressed upon more than others. The fact that she was completely alone, no hope of someone coming. They went into this and while I felt it worked, I also feel looking back more could have been stressed just to get really into the terror of the idea. I mean it is a truly terrifying situation to be in. And not completely out of the realms of possibility – which is why this film works as well as it does. 

The acting is fantastic. Carla Gugino is incredible. I think her performance is what makes the film and everything else is simply works around her. She plays this out extraordinarily for such a physically limiting role. 

As well as this, I think it works due to the sharp dialogue. There’s little to no throwaway dialogue in there, it all counts for something. The detail throughout is well crafted. This is Stephen King at his best.

The fact that there is only at most 2 characters in the majority of the film keeps the story condensed and to the point at all times, keeps the tension mounting. We encounter conversations taking place in her head and this is what propels the plot. It’s very clever.

And there’s a bit of gore thrown in there too. A little something for every horror fan.

I enjoyed this film very much. I recommend it 100%. 

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