Game Night (2018) Movie Review

"Game Night" is a comedic masterpiece that has something for everyone. This film is directed by John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein, the duo behind hit movies like "Horrible Bosses" and "The Incredible Burt Wonderstone," and written by Mark Perez. The film follows a group of game-loving partiers who are drawn into a web of danger that leads to hilarious consequences. With a raucously funny script, expertly paced direction, and outstanding performances from the cast, "Game Night" is a rollercoaster ride of absurdity that you won't soon forget.

The movie revolves around the main couple, Max and Annie, played by Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams, who host a regular game night at their suburban home. A cleverly-edited opening montage shows that games like Pictionary, Scrabble, and charades are the foundation of their relationship and led to their marriage. The game night covered in this movie includes Ryan, played by Billy Magnussen, a dimwitted friend of Annie's; Sarah, played by Sharon Horgan, Ryan's much smarter date; the husband-wife team of Kevin and Michelle, played by Lamorne Morris and Kylie Bunbury; and Max's estranged brother Brooks, played by Kyle Chandler, who is a success in ways that Max can only dream about.

The story takes a hilarious turn when Brooks invites the guests out to his rich-guy house for a different kind of game night, modeled on those murder mystery dinner parties that became a fad a few years ago. "Game Night" becomes a roller coaster ride, whisking the audience through broad slapstick, deadpan exchanges, and imminent threats that sometimes erupt into mayhem. Brooks gets kidnapped in a home invasion that everybody else assumes is just part of the game, and threatened with murder if the others don't deliver a precious Faberge egg to a scary-voiced mastermind who's giving them orders from afar. The rest of the team splits up into pairs and tries to solve the mystery in their own way, their paths periodically re-crossing, only to diverge again.

The film is a masterful blend of humor, suspense, and character development. If you've seen "The Game" or other films in which an escapist adventure turns weird and frightening, you'll anticipate some but not all of the twists and turns of "Game Night." The screenwriter and directors tie them to the psychology of the characters and structure the film as a journey of personal as well as narrative discovery. The brothers' mutual resentment and rivalry are nearly as important here as it was in "The Game." Max and Annie's inability to conceive a child comes into play as well, as do the psychologies and pasts of other game night participants.

A subplot about Kevin's obsession with figuring out whether Michelle was ever unfaithful to him has a terrific payoff that flips over on itself. There are juicy bits for supporting players as well, including Jeffrey Wright as an FBI agent, Danny Huston as a decadent rotter, Michael C. Hall as a scary criminal known as The Bulgarian, and Jesse Plemons as the divorced and seemingly personality-free cop who lives in the same cul-de-sac as Max and Annie and seems obsessed with getting invited to game night again. None of these characters are quite as they appear on first or second glance.

In conclusion, "Game Night" is an uproariously funny film that delivers on all fronts. With a talented cast, clever writing, and deft direction, it manages to be both a rollercoaster ride of absurdity and a deeply satisfying character study. The film's commentary on aging, disappointment, romanticism, and sibling rivalry adds depth and substance to the raucous humor, making it a nearly perfect entertainment for adults over a certain age.