Based on the Gillian Flynn’s 2012 novel of the same name, the 2014 film adaptation of Gone Girl was a massive success. The movie starred Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike as the leads. David Finch directed, and Gillian Flynn herself wrote the screenplay.
Gone Girl went on to gross $369.3 million worldwide, on a budget of $61 million. In several interviews, Gillian Flynn stated that her novel was heavily inspired by the Laci Peterson. Flynn wrote her book with a strong narrative and an even stronger female lead, making this story an iconic one.
The film definitely lived up to the book’s legacy, and it helped that Gillian Flynn wrote the screenplay to this captivating, controversial story. If you loved Gone Girl, here are 10 domestic noir films you should definitely check out.
LEAVE HER TO HEAVEN (1945)
Based on Ben Ames Williams’ best-selling novel, Leave Her To Heaven is a stylish, complex, and mysterious film to watch. It tells the story of a femme fatale who goes on a crime spree motivated by her jealousy of anyone who threatens her relationship with her husband.
Leave Her To Heaven was Fox’s highest grossing film of the 1940s, and is an often forgotten member of the film noir genre. Its sharp-witted tone bears a resemblance to Gone Girl, and is a film that deserves a lot more appreciation than it gets.
A SIMPLE FAVOR (2018)
Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick star in this modern day black comedy that revolves around an average everyday blogger who begins to unravel the dark series events that led to her best friend’s sudden disappearance.
Directed by Paul Feig and written by Jessica Sharzer, A Simple Favor received rave reviews from critics, earned $97.5. million at the box office, and holds a score of 85% on Rotten Tomatoes. The film is based on Darcey Bell’s 2017 novel, which she compared to Gone Girl while pitching it.
THOROUGHBREDS (2017)
Perhaps most notable for being the last film that young actor Anton Yelchin starred in prior to his untimely death, Thoroughbreds is a sharp, chilling film noir that follows the story of two childhood friends who come together as teenagers to commit the perfect crime.
Directed by Cory Finley and starring Anya Taylor-Joy and Olivia Cooke as the leads, this is a very fun watch. Thoroughbreds is a dark film with a sadistic, cynical take on life and death.
MULHOLLAND DRIVE (2001)
David Lynch’s neo-noir film was originally imagined as a television series, and a ninety-minute pilot was produced for Touchstone Television, with hopes of airing on the ABC network. Ultimately, Mulholland Drive became a film, and hit the big screen in 2001.
Starring Naomi Watts and Justin Theroux, Mulholland Drive flopped in the box office, but received praise from critics, and is a deeply unsettling, confounding film.
EYES WIDE SHUT (1999)
From The Shining director and horror master, Stanley Kubrick, Eyes Wide Shut is an erotic, unsettling psychological thriller. It is set in the 1990s, with the vibrant backdrop of New York City. The film starred Nicole Kidman as the lead, as well as Tom Cruise. Eyes Wide Shut was inspired by Arthur Schnitzler’s 1926 novella, Traumnovelle. The story was originally set in 20th century Vienna, but Kubrick adapted it for modern times for his film.
THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN (2016)
The Girl On The Train is not technically considered a successful movie, despite casting the talented Emily Blunt as its lead. The film was mostly detested for its shameless Americanization of British author Paula Hawkins’ 2015 novel. The fact that the movie did not really stay true to its original source material makes the film a lot worse than it should have been. However, The Girl On The Train has a very similar tone to Gone Girl, utilizing the domestic noir genre in a twisty way, and Emily Blunt’s performance is not one that should be overlooked.
WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE? (1962)
This classic film is one that made history, and today, is still considered one of the best horror movies ever created. What Ever Happened To Baby Jane? famously starred iconic actresses Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. Any movie that features these to together is well worth the watch, and What Ever Happened To Baby Jane? is no exception.
The film revolves around Davis’ character, Jane, a former child star who must care for her crippled sister, Blanche (Crawford’s character). Baby Jane is a chilling thrill ride of a movie, with a dark and twisty concept that will keep you hooked till the very end.
KISS ME DEADLY (1955)
Like What Ever Happened To Baby Jane?, Kiss Me Deadly is another one of director Robert Aldrich’s hit films. It’s about a private detective who picks up a mysterious woman he finds standing alone by a highway one night. Shortly after, the detective’s life is changed forever as he is plunged into a dark mystery.
Kiss Me Deadly is an unforgettable film. Released in 1955, it is still very famous to this day, and holds an impressive 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
DEAD RINGER (1964)
Another iconic performance by Hollywood alumni, Bette Davis, the star plays twins in this movie. Dead Ringer revolves around both of Davis’ characters, who frequently screw each other over, and eventually become intent on killing each other.
Dead Ringer has a perfect score of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, and is an absolutely fun, unforgettable film to watch. It was directed by Paul Henreid, who had previously directed the classic film, Casablanca.
WAIT TILL HELEN COMES (2016)
This Canadian film was inspired by Mary Downing Hahn’s classic 1986 novel. Wait Till Helen Comes wasn’t a very successful film, and it didn’t entirely live up to its original source’s powerful legacy. But this thrilling little film is worth the watch none the less.
Starring Maria Bello and directed by Dominic James, the film is a fun and spooky ghost story, with dark undertones that make it a complex and interesting film. Author Mary Downing Hahn even makes a cameo appearance in the movie adaptation of her book, appearing as a librarian.
