Released in 2014, David Fincher’s ‘Gone Girl‘ has meticulous details hidden in its narrative. Here are five subtle yet interesting elements that you might have missed in this thriller:
5. The Spoiler In The Movie Poster
The marketing for ‘Gone Girl’ cleverly included a hint about the film’s plot twist. On the poster, above the title, are the eyes of Amy Dunne (played by Rosamund Pike). While at first glance, this might seem like a typical design choice, a closer look reveals more. The glaze around the news bars on the poster implies a reflection on a TV screen, indicating that Amy is watching the events, particularly her husband Nick (Ben Affleck) being scrutinized by the media. This detail subtly reveals the film’s major twist.
4. 1-855-4-AMY-TIPS
As part of its marketing campaign, a hotline, 1-855-4-AMY-TIPS, was set up to mirror the film’s storyline. First noticed in the initial trailer, this number plays a recording of someone reading the first few pages of Gillian Flynn’s novel when dialed. This creative marketing strategy connects the fictional world of ‘Gone Girl’ with reality.
3. Coffee Cups
In a subtle nod to Fincher’s earlier work ‘Fight Club,’ Detective Rhonda Boney (played by Kim Dickens) is consistently seen with a coffee cup in hand. This detail is not just a simple homage to the director’s previous film, which featured Starbucks cups in every scene as a commentary on consumerism. In ‘Gone Girl,’ the variety of unbranded coffee cups suggests market saturation and links to the film’s theme of media coverage.
2. FindAmazingAmy.com
‘FindAmazingAmy.com,’ a website mentioned within the film, was created as a real online platform. It featured a Fox News screen, links to the film’s trailer, and social media sites, and played Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’ soundtrack. Although the website was primarily a marketing tool, it also extended the film’s narrative into the digital space. As of now, it redirects to Disney’s official website.
1. Clues in Amy’s Pinterest Account
One of the online extensions of ‘Gone Girl’ is the Pinterest page for Amy Dunne. This page features albums that show her seemingly perfect life. After the film’s release, the page was updated with excerpts from Amy’s (fictional) diary to offer an additional layer of insight into her character and the plot. It also provides fans with an interactive way to engage with the film.