Game Night

‘Game Night’ follows the story of a competitive couple, Max and Annie, who, in hopes of winning against Max’s brother Brooks, take part in a murder mystery game. Much to everyone’s surprise, the harmless game transforms into a real kidnapping in which Brooks is taken hostage by a criminal known as The Bulgarian. The film follows the couple’s adventure as they try to save Brooks by handing over what seems like a very valuable egg.

In a year where superhero films bombarded the box office, we finally get to witness a comedy of real quality. A cast featuring the likes of Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams is a guarantee that, no matter the genre, the film is going to be exquisite. From the moment ‘Game Night’ begins, both characters have a natural chemistry, playing a suburban couple who fell in love competing in different games. The real story starts when Brooks begins his murder mystery game. Director John Francis Daley, along with screenwriter Mark Perez, does a brilliant job of keeping viewers engaged: you always want to know what happens next, and you laugh out loud helplessly every now and then. The story avoids the clichés of most comedies. The movie is full of surprising plot twists: every time you believe it’s over, another jaw-dropping twist occurs.

Apart from the action itself, ‘Game Night’ has another unique quality: its camera angles. The filmmakers set up shots that transition from scene to scene in a way that makes the whole film feel like a big board game played by different characters.

Some viewers have voiced concern over one particular scene, in which a group of elites hosts fights between people referred to as “slaves”. Most jokes are on point and harmless, but this scene was criticized by some fans.

Verdict

From the appealing story to the hilarious punchlines, ‘Game Night’ defines the term entertainment. Our rating: 4/5.