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The Game

1997·Movie
2h 9min·R

Where to watch

No stream option in US yet.

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

What's your score?

Your score

The Game fingerprint

High energy, immersive world, light on feelings.

Energy

Nerve-racking and thrilling

Fast from start to finish.

  • Tension9
  • Adrenaline7
  • Fast Pace7

Heart

Emotionally reserved

Much of it is about family.

  • Family Dynamics7
  • Catharsis6
  • Pathos5

Humor

Some satire

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Satire & Parody5
  • Wit & Wordplay4
  • Dark Humor4

World

Mystery, the mind, and everyday modern life

Lived-in and easy to get lost in. Holds up on a rewatch.

  • World Immersion8
  • Rewatchability8
  • Ambiguity8

Craft

Standout direction, performances, and storytelling

Layered plot that rewards full attention.

  • Direction9
  • Acting9
  • Narrative Structure9

Style

Standout cinematography and editing

  • Cinematography8
  • Editing8
  • Music Composition7

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFriends NightPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchThought-Provoking

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

What do you get for the man who has everything...?

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.
Psychological ThrillerParanoid MysteryReality vs. IllusionHigh-Stakes GameFincher-esque SuspenseCorporate SatireUnreliable NarrativeCerebral TensionUrban Nightmare

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about The Game

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Game legally?

You can rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and YouTube. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is The Game worth watching?

74
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 74/100 (IMDb 7.7, Rotten Tomatoes 77%, and Metacritic 63). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Game rated?

RViolenceStrong languageDisturbing imagery

It's rated R in the United States. Content advisories: violence, strong language, and disturbing imagery.

How long is The Game?

2 h 9 min

The Game runs 2 h 9 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on The Game?

Critics70
Audiences80

Not quite. Audiences rate The Game higher (80) than critics (70). It's more of a crowd-pleaser than a critics' pick.

Was The Game a box office hit?

Budget$50 million
Box office$109 million

Yes. It cost about $50 million to make and earned $109 million worldwide, 2.2 times its budget.

What language is The Game in?

EnglishcnGerman

It was made in English, with some cn, German. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch The Game?

107ADALAOARATAUAZBABEBFBGBHBMBO+93

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Game in 107 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does The Game use?

Ripped from the Phone BookI'm Not a Doctor, but I Play One on TV555Trickster GirlfriendIt Was Here, I Swear!No AntagonistThe Picture Came with the FrameAnd You Thought It Was a GameChekhov's ArmyPleasure IslandBatman GambitGambit Rouletteand 94 more

TV Tropes lists 106 storytelling tropes for The Game, including Ripped from the Phone Book, I'm Not a Doctor, but I Play One on TV, 555.