Game Night (film)

Game Night is a 2018 American action comedy film[3][4] directed by John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein and written by Mark Perez. It stars Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams, and follows a group of friends whose game night turns into a real-life mystery after one of them is kidnapped by apparent burglars. The film's supporting cast includes Billy Magnussen, Sharon Horgan, Lamorne Morris, Kylie Bunbury, Jesse Plemons, Michael C. Hall, and Kyle Chandler.

Game Night
Theatrical release poster
Directed by
Produced by
Written byMark Perez
Starring
Music byCliff Martinez
CinematographyBarry Peterson
Edited by
Production
company
Distributed byWarner Bros. Pictures
Release date
  • February 23, 2018 (2018-02-23) (United States)
Running time
100 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$37 million[2]
Box office$117.7 million[2]

Warner Bros. Pictures released the film on February 23, 2018. It was a commercial and critical success, grossing $117 million worldwide and receiving praise for its originality, humor, script and performances. Plemons was nominated for the Detroit Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actor.

Plot

Married competitive gamer couple Max and Annie are trying to have a child, but their attempts are unsuccessful due to Max's anxiety surrounding his feelings of inadequacy when compared to his wealthy and suave brother Brooks. During Max and Annie's routine weekend game night with their friends Ryan, and married couple Kevin and Michelle, Brooks shows up in a Corvette Stingray (Max's dream car) and shares an embarrassing story about Max to throw him off during a game. Brooks offers to host the next game night at his home. Meanwhile, Max and Annie are trying to keep their game night secret from their neighbor Gary, a mentally unstable police officer left depressed after his divorce from their old friend Debbie.

When the guests, including Ryan's new date, Sarah, arrive at Brooks' house the following week, Brooks says he has initiated an interactive role-playing mystery game, promising the winner his Stingray. An actor enters and begins monologuing, but is interrupted when two masked men break in and kidnap Brooks. The guests believe the attack is part of the game, so they just watch as he is dragged away before beginning to solve the mystery game using the clues left behind by the actor.

Using his GPS location, Max and Annie track Brooks down to a rough bar and, using a pistol left behind by Brooks during the fight (which they believe to be fake), manage to take the keys to the storage closet, where Brooks is being held. After Annie mistakenly fires the gun and shoots Max in the arm, confirming the weapon is real and that they are in actual danger, the three escape. Brooks admits that he makes his living buying and selling illegal items on the black market, in particular a Fabergé egg sought by a man known only as "the Bulgarian" that he instead sold to another man using the alias "Marlon Freeman." With his captors in pursuit, Brooks exits the moving car to guarantee Max and Annie's escape.

Eventually, the others learn what they have become involved in, and avoid alerting the police because of Brooks' warnings about the Bulgarian having moles in the government. Believing that the Bulgarian is responsible for Brooks' abduction, the group tries to determine the identities of the Bulgarian and Marlon Freeman. They show up at Gary's house, under the pretense of a game night, to use his police computer, where Max discovers the address of Marlon Freeman, whose real name is Donald Anderton. The group leaves Gary's house and arrives at Anderton's address, where he is hosting an underground fight club. As the others search the house, Ryan spots the egg in a wall safe and is caught trying to steal it. The group escapes with the egg but accidentally breaks it. They discover the egg secretly concealed a Witsec list inside, and realize this was what the Bulgarian wanted.

The group meets Brooks and his captors on a bridge and attempt to rescue him, only to be captured themselves. Brooks reveals to Max that he feels guilty, and intended for him to win the Corvette Stingray all along. Before the captors can kill them, the group is saved by Gary, who is then shot in the chest. Max and Annie try to encourage him to pull through by promising to invite him to every future game night. Gary then reveals that he faked the entire scenario - including hiring the thugs that kidnapped Brooks - in an attempt to trick them into letting him join game night again. He is, however, unaware of the egg, and they are immediately cornered by the real Bulgarian, who captures Brooks after he swallows the list. Max and Annie use Brooks' Corvette to drive to the airport and stop the Bulgarian from taking off with Brooks in his jet. After a lengthy fight, they eventually knock the Bulgarian out and dispatch his henchmen, saving Brooks.

Three months later, Brooks, now under house arrest for his crimes, has managed to sell the list on the black market for $3 million (having also tipped off the witnesses for $20 thousand each). Meanwhile, Annie has finally become pregnant. While the group - including Gary - are continuing their game night, men with guns get ready to storm the building. In a mid-credits sequence, Gary looks over his game night plan, while in a post-credits scene, his ex-wife Debbie meets Kenny, a Denzel Washington look-a-like whom Michelle once slept with.

Cast

Additionally, the film's directors John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein cameo as Carter and Dan, respectively. Kenny (credited as "Not Denzel") is portrayed by Malcolm X. Hughes, a part-time Denzel Washington impersonator.[5] Jeffrey Wright makes an uncredited cameo as an actor playing Agent Ron Henderson, an FBI Agent.

Production

Development

Producer John Fox had the film's title, and asked screenwriter Mark Perez for story ideas. Perez took inspiration from films like Three Amigos and Tropic Thunder. He pitched the concept to 20th Century Fox, who liked it. The two pitched the project to Jason Bateman, who also liked it. They then sold the idea to New Line Cinema around 2013-2014.[6] Bateman was initially slated to direct, as well as produce and star in the film. When screenwriters Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley were hired to rewrite Perez's script, it became clear to Bateman that the two would also want to direct the film, so Bateman stepped down.[7]

Pre-production

On May 24, 2016, New Line Cinema hired Goldstein and Francis Daley to rewrite and direct the film Game Night, which Jason Bateman produced through Aggregate Films.[8] While Daley and Goldstein did not receive screenwriter credit, they later said they rewrote "almost all of the original script’s dialogue, totally overhauled the characters — most notably a creepy cop portrayed by Jesse Plemons — and comprehensively reworked the original script’s third act."[9]

In January 2017, Rachel McAdams, Bateman, and Plemons were cast in the film's lead roles.[10][11] In February 2017, Kylie Bunbury joined the cast, while in March, Lamorne Morris, Billy Magnussen, Kyle Chandler, and Sharon Horgan were also added.[12][13][14][15][16] In April 2017, Jeffrey Wright was cast in the film as an FBI agent, a role he ultimately played uncredited.[17]

Filming

Principal photography on the film began in early April 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia, US.[18][19]

Release

Warner Bros. Pictures had originally scheduled Game Night for release on February 14, 2018.[20] The date was later pushed back to March 2, 2018, before being moved up to February 23, 2018.[21]

Reception

Box office

Game Night grossed $69.2 million in the United States and Canada, and $48.5 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $117.7 million, against a production budget of $37 million.[2]

In the United States and Canada, Game Night was released alongside Annihilation and Every Day, and was projected to gross $13–21 million from 3,488 theaters in its opening weekend.[22] The film made $5.6 million on its first day (including $1 million from Thursday night previews). It ended up grossing $16.6 million over the weekend, finishing second, behind holdover Black Panther.[23] The film dropped 38.8% (above average for a comedy) in its second weekend to $10.4 million, and finished 4th, behind Black Panther and newcomers Red Sparrow and Death Wish.[24] It made $7.9 million in its third weekend,[25] $5.6 million in its fourth[26] and $4.1 million in its fifth.[27]

Critical response

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a "Certified Fresh" 85% rating based on 252 reviews, with an average rating of 6.92/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "With a talented cast turned loose on a loaded premise — and a sharp script loaded with dark comedy and unexpected twists — Game Night might be more fun than the real thing."[28] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 66 out of 100, based on reviews from 41 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[29] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale, while PostTrak reported filmgoers gave it a 78% overall positive score.[23]

Owen Gleiberman of Variety, gave the film a positive review, saying "Even at 100 minutes, Game Night pushes its premise to the wall of synthetic escapism. Yet the movie manipulates its audience in cunning and puckish ways. It's no big whoop, but you're happy to have been played."[30] Richard Lawson of Vanity Fair gave the film a positive review, but wrote: "It’s a good time, but it maybe could have been a great one. Which I suppose is true of so many nights meant to deliver us from the doldrums of settled life."[31] Jon Frosch of The Hollywood Reporter wrote: "There are chuckles here and there, but a striking absence of belly laughs".[32]

Accolades
Award Date of ceremony Category Recipients Result Ref.
Detroit Film Critics Society December 3, 2018 Best Supporting Actor Jesse Plemons Nominated [33]
San Diego Film Critics Society December 10, 2018 Best Comedic Performance Jason Bateman Nominated [34][35]
Jesse Plemons Nominated
Best Editing Dave Egan and Jamie Gross Won
Best Ensemble Cast Won
Critics' Choice Movie Awards January 13, 2019 Best Comedy Game Night Nominated
Best Actor in a Comedy Jason Bateman Nominated
Best Actress in a Comedy Rachel McAdams Nominated

Possible sequel

During the film's opening weekend, screenwriter Mark Perez discussed the possibility of a sequel, saying "It would be great to have sequels. Super titles like Game Night or specific titles like that feel genetically built to have sequels... That would mean the movie did well, and that's all I really care about at this stage."[36]

References
  1. "GAME NIGHT (15)". British Board of Film Classification. Retrieved February 5, 2018.
  2. "Game Night (2018)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
  3. "'Game Night' Film Review: Winning Action-Comedy Passes Go, Collects $200". TheWrap. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  4. "'Game Night' is an action comedy that delivers laughs, twists — and plenty of blood". The Washington Post. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
  5. Topel, Fred (2018-03-10). "Game Night spoilers: The directors talk about that celebrity lookalike". Monsters and Critics. Retrieved 2018-11-08.
  6. ""GAME NIGHT" SCREENWRITER MARK PEREZ ON HOW THE HIGH-CONCEPT COMEDY CAME TO BE (INTERVIEW)". February 27, 2018. Retrieved December 27, 2018.
  7. William Mullally (February 21, 2018). "EXCLUSIVE: Jason Bateman was supposed to direct Game Night—here's why he didn't". Retrieved March 11, 2019.
  8. Hipes, Patrick (May 24, 2016). "'Spider-Man' Homecoming' Scribes On Board For 'Game Night' At New Line". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
  9. Lee, Chris (21 June 2018). "How Game Night Broke Modern Comedy's Rules to Win at the Box Office". Vulture.com. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  10. Kroll, Justin (January 4, 2017). "Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams to Star in Comedy 'Game Night'". Variety. Penske Business Media. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
  11. Kroll, Justin (January 19, 2017). "Jesse Plemons Joins Jason Bateman in New Line Comedy 'Game Night' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Penske Business Media. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
  12. Kroll, Justin (February 16, 2017). "'Pitch' Star Kylie Bunbury Joins Jason Bateman's Comedy 'Game Night' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Penske Business Media. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
  13. Kroll, Justin (March 6, 2017). "'New Girl' Star Lamorne Morris Joins Jason Bateman Comedy 'Game Night' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Penske Business Media. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
  14. D'Alessandro, Anthony (March 16, 2017). "Billy Magnussen Joining 'Game Night' Opposite Jason Bateman & Rachel McAdams". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
  15. D'Alessandro, Anthony (March 22, 2017). "Emmy Winner Kyle Chandler Joins New Line's 'Game Night'". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
  16. D'Alessandro, Anthony (March 23, 2017). "'Game Night' Gains Another Player In Sharon Horgan". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
  17. Kit, Borys (April 4, 2017). "Jeffrey Wright Joins Jason Bateman in 'Game Night' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
  18. Hensley, Ellie (April 11, 2017). "New Line's 'Game Night' filming in Atlanta". Atlanta Business Chronicle. American City Business Journals. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
  19. InqPOP! (April 21, 2017). "It's game on as shooting begins on New Line Cinema's "Game Night"". InqPOP!. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
  20. D'Alessandro, Anthony (May 3, 2017). "'Godzilla Vs. Kong', 'Game Night' Among Many Warner Bros. Release Date Changes For 2018 & Beyond". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
  21. D'Alessandro, Anthony (December 6, 2017). "Warner Bros/New Line Change Up 'Game Night' Again Next Year – Update". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  22. D'Alessandro, Anthony (February 21, 2018). "'Black Panther' Posts Record $21M Pre-Summer Tuesday; Second Weekend To Reap $104M-$109M". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
  23. D'Alessandro, Anthony (February 25, 2018). "'Black Panther' Breaks More Records: $108M Second Weekend Is Second-Best Ever As Marvel Movie Heads For $400M". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  24. D'Alessandro, Anthony (March 4, 2018). "'Black Panther' Busts Past Half Billion; 'Red Sparrow' Flies Low With $17M – Sunday AM B.O. Update". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  25. D'Alessandro, Anthony (March 11, 2018). "'Black Panther' Rules 4th Frame With $41M+; 'A Wrinkle In Time' At $33M+: A Diversity & Disney Dominant Weekend". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  26. "Weekend Box Office Results for March 16-18, 2018". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved April 30, 2018.
  27. "Weekend Box Office Results for March 23-25, 2018". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved April 30, 2018.
  28. "Game Night (2018)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
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  30. Gleiberman, Owen (February 20, 2018). "Film Review: 'Game Night'". Variety. Penske Business Media. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
  31. Lawson, Richard (February 21, 2018). "Game Night Review: Surprisingly Stylish Fun That Could Use More Rachel McAdams". Vanity Fair.
  32. "'Game Night': Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter.
  33. ‘Eighth Grade’ Leads 2018 Detroit Film Critics Society Nominees
  34. "2018 San Diego Film Critics Society's Award Nominations". San Diego Film Critics Society. 2018-12-07. Retrieved 2018-12-11.
  35. "2018 San Diego Film Critics Society Award Winners". San Diego Film Critics Society. 2018-12-10. Archived from the original on 2018-12-11. Retrieved 2018-12-11.
  36. Aaron Couch (February 25, 2018). "'Game Night' Screenwriter Is Dreaming of Sequel Possibilities". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
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