In honor of his birthday, San Francisco banker Nicholas Van Orton, a financial genius and a cold-hearted loner, receives an unusual present from his younger brother, Conrad: a gift certificate to play a unique kind of game. In nary a nanosecond, Nicholas finds himself consumed by a dangerous set of ever-changing rules, unable to distinguish where the charade ends and reality begins.
Directed by David Fincher
san francisco, california
manipulation
danger of life
puzzle
birthday present
conspiracy thriller
bewildered
Rank
#34 in 1997·#2031 overall
Trailer
IMDB
N/A
Letterboxd
3.8 / 5
Where to Watch
Cast
Michael Douglas
Nicholas Van Orton
Sean Penn
Conrad Van Orton
Deborah Kara Unger
Christine
James Rebhorn
Jim Feingold
Peter Donat
Samuel Sutherland
Carroll Baker
Ilsa
Anna Katarina
Elizabeth
Armin Mueller-Stahl
Anson Baer
Charles Martinet
Nicholas' Father
Scott Hunter McGuire
Young Nicholas
Florentine Mocanu
Nicholas' Mother
Elizabeth Dennehy
Maria
Crew
David Fincher
Director
John Brancato
Writer
Howard Shore
Original Music Composer
Harris Savides
Director of Photography
Steve Golin
Producer
Ceán Chaffin
Producer
Jonathan Mostow
Executive Producer
John Brancato
Co-Producer
Ren Klyce
Sound Designer
Dawn Solér
Music Supervisor
Jeffrey Beecroft
Production Design
Trish Summerville
Assistant Costume Designer
Popular Reviews
3468 reviews
Michael JecmenPRO
8.2★ · 05/13/26
what a concept. god i love david fincher
vic’s review
what a concept. god i love david fincher
vic’s review
8
4
David Krall
8.0★ · 01/16/26
I lost the Game
I lost the Game
3
1
VicPRO
8.1★ · 05/14/26
bruh
🎥 5.13.2026 with @Michael Jecmen and a little bit of @Katie Reevesrate
bruh
🎥 5.13.2026 with @Michael Jecmen and a little bit of @Katie Reevesrate
2
1
Gdolla
9.7★ · 01/29/26
This was one of the greatest concepts for a film ever. I give this a high 9.7/10. It would be a 10/10 without some minot missteps. That is my only minot complaint. I mean wow the ending was perfect plus the acting was phenomenal and just wow. I did think it was a little crazy how bro was okay with everything at the end. I mean they literally drove him insane but I guess he did sign up for it. Fincher is just a mastermind of film and this is my second favorite film of his. I mean Ive only seen 3 from him but 2 of them were either perfect or near perfect. I just need more of this film. The last hour was literally perfect thank you Fincher for this amazing film. And my God rich people are insane.
This was one of the greatest concepts for a film ever. I give this a high 9.7/10. It would be a 10/10 without some minot missteps. That is my only minot complaint. I mean wow the ending was perfect plus the acting was phenomenal and just wow. I did think it was a little crazy how bro was okay with everything at the end. I mean they literally drove him insane but I guess he did sign up for it. Fincher is just a mastermind of film and this is my second favorite film of his. I mean Ive only seen 3 from him but 2 of them were either perfect or near perfect. I just need more of this film. The last hour was literally perfect thank you Fincher for this amazing film. And my God rich people are insane.