#2 - Gerald's Game (2017)

Gerald's Game (2017)

(dir. Mike Flanagan)

Jessie and Gerald head to their remote lake house to spend a weekend alone and work on their marriage, which doesn't seem to be doing so well. In order to try and spice up their faltering love life, Gerald handcuffs Jessie to the bed for some light bondage play. She goes along with it at first, until he crosses the line by starting to act out a rape fantasy. They start to fight, but before he can uncuff her, he goes into cardiac arrest and collapses, leaving her chained to the bed with seemingly no way of freeing herself. The nearest neighbor is half a mile away. If she doesn't free herself, she will die of dehydration long before help arrives.

Based on the novel by Stephen King and directed by the increasingly fantastic Mike Flanagan (Oculus, Hush), this is a really excellent psychological thriller. The vast majority of the film takes place in one room, with much of the action and dialogue taking place entirely in the main character's head. Much of the credit for the film's effectiveness goes to Carla Gugino, who really sells Jessie's desperation, terror, and rage. She is entirely believable as a woman who is both vulnerable and strong as she copes with her current situation as well as her traumatic past.

Things get pretty heavy as the film deals with themes of sexual and emotional abuse, but it does take a turn for the hopeful as Jessie finds the strength to carry on. And while overall this is not a very bloody or physically violent film, there is a scene that contains one of the most horrifying and realistic gore effects I've ever seen, and I've seen a LOT of extremely gory movies. I literally yelled out loud and practically jumped out of my seat.

I thought the ending was the weakest part of the movie - thematically it ties in well, but there is a significant tonal shift that doesn't quite gel with the rest of the film. Still, this was overall a really excellent film and certainly the best Stephen King adaptation to come out in quite a while (sorry, It - not sorry, The Dark Tower). Speaking of, there are a number of easter eggs in this film for King fans, the best of which was Gerald whispering to Jessie that "all things serve the beam."

I definitely recommend this one, just be warned that it does get heavy at times. It's a Netflix film, so currently that is the best (and only!) way to see it. Check it out!