12 Movies Like “Gone Girl” With Big Twists

Zodiac may let you down if you’re in the mood for a traditional David Fincher movie. It’s different than his other films, but overall he succeeds at trying something new. The film is based on real-life murders committed in the San Francisco Bay area in the 60s and 70s by an elusive serial killer. We’re immediately introduced to things via the killer’s perspective and then he fades into the background. The rest of the film becomes more of a detective documentary-style film. Lots of turns and clues to follow, yet there is never really any closure. San Francisco’s rainy weather was used to set the moody and tense scenes in the making of this thriller. The film is a rollercoaster of a ride, and even though it doesn’t reach a conclusion, it’s still an excellent film due to the mature and serious tone.

Fight Club is such a masterpiece it can be watched over and over again. If you’ve only seen it once, we guarantee you can find something new that you may have missed. The film has tons of subtle clues and Easter eggs placed throughout, yet we end up getting fooled. The ending will leave you with your jaw-dropping and speechless. This dark and disturbing film is both smart and satirical and keeps you on your toes guessing. Fight Club makes more sense the more you watch it.

The lead-in and murder plot is pretty similar to Gone Girl. To Die For revolves around a psychopathic woman who plans to murder her husband and gets the help of her friends and lover. Nicole Kidman gives a superb performance as an ice-hearted soulless psychopath that would do whatever it takes to be n the spotlight, even getting national exposure for the killing of her husband. She acts on her instincts and doesn’t realize what she’s doing. To Die For also manages to keep it fun and a bit light-hearted even though the film is dark. The ending is predictable and abrupt, but it’s still worth the watch!

There’s a good reason why The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo has a huge fanbase. In 2009, the original Swedish version was released and is considered to be the best. The movie is well-acted and when talks of an English remake were leaked, the response was met with excitement and anticipation. The remake was thankfully not disappointing and even outshined the original in many ways. David Fincher’s version was more visually appealing. Scenes of winter in Sweden and everything else that a huge budget helps with made the film a feast for the eyes. The movie is mainly dialogue-driven so it may not be for everyone. The convincing acting paired with the cinematography makes the English version an overall improvement over the original.

Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt play detectives tasked with taking down a serial killer on the loose. They trace him, witness the crimes committed, and all the while coming ever-closer to the fate they never anticipated. Another excellent film directed by David Fincher, Se7en is at the top of the list when it comes to favorite ‘90s films. The blend of tight and focused plotlines with an intense and dark style makes for an excellent masterpiece. Although the film didn’t get the same buzz as Fight Club, Silence of the Lambs, and others, Se7en is a classic, no doubt. 

Films never seem to match up to the book and the book that inspired Gone Girl was filled with suspense and intrigue. If you’re searching for the equivalent of the book then The Staircase won’t let you down. Right from the get-go, the film resembles the beginning of Gone Girl. Both films involve a man who is the prime suspect of their wife’s murder. The Staircase is a binge-wroth eight-part TV series. Each episode is like a chapter that brings you closer and closer to the truth. Be warned though, once you start, you’ll be sucked in till the end.

Basic Instinct revolves around a famous nightclub owner that’s in the middle of a murder and suspicious conditions that make for an excellent ‘90s thriller. A detective with a troubled past is given the case and things take a turn for the worst. As he delves deeper into the murder he discovers that the murder is directly copied from a Catherine Tramell novel. As the detective gets more and more involved he begins to suspect everyone. There’s more to the film below the Hollywood cliche and glitzy surface and the pace of the film makes for an excellent film to watch.

Rosemary’s Baby was directed by Roman Polanski and it can be best described as a horror movie. Even though there are no werewolves, ghosts, or vampires, the film still terrifies. A huge factor in the suspense of the movie is marital betrayal. Surreal events start happening around Rosemary, a mother-to-be. She has just moved into a new apartment and becomes convinced her husband and the neighbors are conspiring against her. She becomes paranoid and only cares about the safety of her unborn child. The film follows an expectant mother who embodies a sense of despair, suspicion, alienation, and the film ultimately questions the entire concept of marriage and parenthood.

Ruthless People is about a man who wants to get rid of his wife to be with his mistress. This dark comedy revolves around the man coming home and finding out that his wife is missing, to his good fortune. Feeling a sense of relief his sister eventually finds out and tells the brother. The husband figures that the kidnappers will just return the wife due to being annoyed with her. In the meantime, the kidnappers have gotten more than they bargained for and the wife causes nothing but trouble for them as there is no interest from the husband with paying their ransom. The film is hilarious and definitely worth a watch if you’re looking for something a bit more light-hearted compared to Gone Girl.

Gone Baby Gone is a multi-layered puzzle directed by Ben Affleck that unfolds into a satisfying ending. The film revolves around two detectives who are tasked with finding Amanda McCready, a 4-year-old girl. Although the two detectives admit they don’t have much experience the family insists that they take on the case. As they make progress they find themselves encountering pedophiles, drug dealers, and gangs. The two go down a rabbit hole risking their relationships, sanity, and lives.

Prisoners question how far someone would go to save his family and how far is deemed too far. This thriller is a masterpiece directed by Denis Villeneuvre who tackles these questions head-on. Keeler Dover is an unlucky father of a missing six-year-old and her friend. Police and detectives pursue leads that lead to nowhere and as the pressure builds up the father becomes desperate. A hidden layer of depth and complexity is slowly revealed and it makes it clear at the end that there’s is more than what appears on the surface. The movie is intense throughout and never takes its foot off the pedal. Buckle up for suspense and mystery. This film stays with you long after the credits roll.

The pharmaceutical industry is at the center of Side Effects, a film that’s an excellent psychological thriller. Without giving away too much, this film is not as straightforward as it appears and is an experiment gone wrong. The story starts out simple but as the plot progresses viewers are introduced to more and more intriguing hidden layers of complexity. Jude Law and Rooney Mara give superb performances. Side Effects is an intricate and well-acted film that offers a thrilling ride you can’t miss!

Any movies like Gone Girl that we left out? Feel free to leave a comment to let us know!

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