David Fincher Series #8: The Social Network (2010)

‘The Social Network’ Theatrical Release Poster

Following on from the critical success of Benjamin Button, David Fincher didn’t rest on his laurels in producing his next feature, teaming up with award winning screenwriter, Aaron Sorkin, to create a fascinating representation of the formation of the global social networking phenomenon, Facebook. Based on Ben Mezrich’s book, The Accidental Billionaires: The Founding of Facebook, A Tale of Sex, Money, Genius and Betrayal, Fincher and Sorkin put their talented minds together to create this truly 21^st century modern cultural story. The Social Network, since its release in 2010, has gone on to be considered something of a modern classic by a healthy majority of critics for its stylish blend of direction, writing, acting and score. Suitably, the film went on to receive numerous nominations and awards from multiple awards judging panels, including three Academy awards; however, not the much sought after Best Picture and Best Director nods, both of which Fincher missed out on for a second straight year.

David Fincher Series #7: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2009)

Theatrical Release Poster

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is something of an enigma in David Fincher’s back catalogue, a film which, on the surface, is wholly unlike anything in his recent work, and a truly unique piece of modern directing, a fact that finally registered enough with the panel at the illustrious Academy to nominate Fincher for Best Director. This also marked the third time that Fincher teamed up with Brad Pitt as his leading man, solidifying the type of working relationship that has proved so successful for a number of Hollywood’s best directors. From Martin Scorsese teaming up with Robert De Niro to Steve McQueen’s more recent work with Michael Fassbender the joy of finding a leading man who understands your methods is a rare gift, and one which Fincher and Pitt, like those before them, have embraced.

David Fincher Series #6: Zodiac (2007)

After the somewhat troubled production of Panic Room, David Fincher went on his longest break between features, five years passed before he returned with his gripping true crime tale of one of America’s most infamous cold cases, that of the Zodiac serial killer. With the suitably named Zodiac in 2007, Fincher once again entered into the world of crime and dark psychology, and the impact of crime on those who are unfortunate enough to encounter it.

David Fincher Series #5: Panic Room (2002)

‘Panic Room’ Theatrical Release Poster

After the worldwide success of Fight Club and the legions of fans who embraced it, David Fincher faced a tricky task in what to take on as next project. Following on from such an iconic piece of modern cinema, his next film was always going to be held up in comparison, and it was in the midst of this intrigue and expectation that Fincher responded with the release of his fifth feature film, Panic Room. Teaming up with David Koepp – who had been part of the writing team behind box office hits such as Jurassic Park and Spiderman – Panic Room was a change in direction and scope from Fight Club (although there is very little truly like Fight Club) and more of a return to the thematic ideas and style of his earlier films Seven and The Game.

David Fincher Series #4: Fight Club (1999)

‘Fight Club’ Theatrical Release Poster.

“The first rule of Fight Club, is don’t talk about Fight Club; The second rule of Fight Club is don’t talk about Fight Club.” It’s my intention to talk about Fight Club, so I understand I’m consciously breaking the first two rules of Fight Club, I’ll have to deal with the consequences when they arise.

After developing a growing reputation for handling complex thrillers, and equally complex characters, David Fincher chose as his next project, the cult literal stylings of Chuck Palahniuk, and his foray into the neurotic and anarchic unravellings of an insomniac’s mind with Fight Club.

David Fincher Series #3: The Game (1997)

‘The Game’ Theatrical Release Poster

Following on from the success of Seven two years previously, David Fincher continued to develop his growing reputation as a director of complex psychological thrillers with his third feature, The Game (1997). It may not be his best loved or most well remembered film, but The Game was another example of the skill Fincher possessed in telling a complex story full of twists and turns. With this offering Fincher was already beginning to carve himself a niche for directing immersive and atmospheric thrillers, and Hollywood was listening; if Seven announced Fincher to the world as a director to watch, The Game re-asserted that announcement and kept them watching.

David Fincher Series #2: Se7en (1995)

‘Seven’ Theatrical Release Poster.

“What’s in the box!?” is the chilling question posed in the finale of David Fincher’s second feature Seven; the question is the culmination of a build-up of tensions during the course of the film, and represents the beginnings of the filmmaking style that has become synonymous with David Fincher as a director. Coming three years after the disappointing and heavily studio interfered Alien 3, Seven became Fincher’s chance to make a film free of such interference and with greater creative freedom, and it’s an opportunity he relished.

David Fincher Series #1: Alien 3 (1992)

‘Alien 3’ Theatrical Release Poster

To begin my new weekly series focusing on the feature films of different directors, I will be focusing on the nine feature films of David Fincher’s directorial career. Starting, rather obviously, back in 1992, with his first feature film, the third in the popular Alien series, titled, Alien Cubed, sorry that should be Alien 3, the release title just added the cubed symbol for no obvious reason other than possibly aesthetic effect.