Gerald's Game - A Netflix Movie Review

Never underestimate how brave you are even in the most precarious situations.

Gerald’s Game is a 2017 Netflix film based on Stephen King’s novel. Going away for the weekend in hopes to have a romantic time alone, everything takes a turn for the worst. Gerald suffers a heart attack. Handcuffed to the bed, Jessie is in the fight of her life for survival.

Stephen King knows how to scare audiences. Gerald’s Game is a suspenseful, gruesome, and uncomfortable film. Nonetheless, it is an engrossing story that captures you to watch every nail-biting moment. Gerald’s Game operates as a film to help a woman find closure to a traumatizing event from her childhood.

Carla Gugino was challenged with a very difficult role. For most of the film, she is handcuffed to a bed. Gugino had to remain in a panicked state throughout most of its entirety which I am sure was not easy. Everything from her expressive countenance detailing fragments of hidden emotions, anguish, and terror was gripping. After watching this film, I have become a huge fan of Gugino for her amazing acting abilities.

Jessie is in a nightmare. She has always been in a nightmare. After an incident in her childhood involving her dad, it has greatly affected her. Gugino explored this headspace very well. Given the opportunity to play another version of herself, this being (or conscious) represents who she desires to be but she is trapped in the mind of a child.

I have mixed feelings for Gerald. I didn’t like the way in which he spoke to Jessie, along with the sexual game he was imposing. Unfortunately, he has a heart attack and dies. Like Gugino, Bruce Greenwood goes through a similar acting challenge. Gerald learns of the event that affected Jessie, changing his judgment.

I’m sure you will recognize Henry Thomas who played the heroic Elliot from the popular film E.T. His role in Gerald’s Game is anything but that beloved child who we looked up to. Playing a conniving father that forced his young daughter to keep a terrible secret, Thomas proves that he is a great actor.

Other credits to include are Chiara Aurelia, Carel Struycken, Kate Siegel, Adalyn Jones, Bryce Harper, and Gwendolyn Mulamba. Nobody had an easy role in Gerald’s Game. Acting proved to be a successful challenge. I commend Aurelia for an outstanding job as Young Jessie. That role was not an easy one.

Situations like these are something that nobody wants to get stuck in. The sound effects play a huge role. Sounds like the cuffs rattling against the posts of the bed, footsteps, bugs chirping, gnawing, and noises in which you don’t ever want to listen to are portrayed in horrendous ways.

Mike Flanagan has become my favorite director of horror. He knows how to get into your mind. Flanagan mastered his camera techniques, sound effects, and his direction to all the actors. He brought to life a horrific story along with a meaningful message that nobody should ever be silenced. Speak out.

The final ten minutes of the film falls on ending fatigue. It drags out the film. Did there really need to be a concise conclusion?

Gerald’s Game is not a film for all audiences. The subject matter is triggering for some audiences who may have been through a similar incident like Jessie. I warn you to take caution. It is not an easy film to sit through. One moment is so agonizing that is very painful to watch.

That being said, Gerald’s Game is an extremely well-acted film. Find it on Netflix and witness this suspenseful film.