Gone Girl

What’s it about?

The husband of a missing woman becomes the prime suspect in her peculiar disappearance

The facts

• Directed by David Fincher (Fight Club, The Social Network)
• Starring Ben Affleck (Argo), Rosamund Pike (Pride & Prejudice), Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother), Tyler Perry (Madea’s Family Reunion), Carrie Coon (The Leftovers), Kim Dickens (Fear the Walking Dead), and Emily Ratajkowski (We Are Your Friends)
• English language 
• Runtime: 148 minutes

Why did it get this rating?

This film was classified by Te Mana Whakaatu, Classification Office. You can find out more about classification process and ratings here.

Violence

A character’s throat is slit with a box cutter, with lots of blood gushing out and covering another character in blood as they die. This scene is clear and drawn out, and is the most violent moment in the film.

There are a couple scenes depicting domestic violence where a woman’s head is hit against the wall by her husband and a man pushes his wife on the ground. As this is shown during a dream-like sequence, it is unclear whether it really happened or not. 

Suicide references and self-harm

One character smashes themself in the face with a small hammer.

A woman binds wire around her wrists causing bruises and wipes blood on her vagina to appear as though she was raped.

A character plans their suicide in detail, though they do not appear sad about this happening.

Rape themes

A character stages an incident to make it appear that she was raped. 

Sex scenes

The film contains a few sex scenes, where buttocks, breasts, as well as intense thrusting and moaning are depicted.

One scene clearly shows a woman's nipples and breasts, but genitals are never shown.

Offensive language

This film contains some offensive language, with words like “f*ck,” “sh*t,” “b*tch,” and “c*nt.”

Helplines:

The self-harm or suicide themes could be upsetting for some viewers, especially for those who have gone through similar experiences. If you are struggling with what you have seen on-screen please reach out for help. If you or someone you know needs to talk:

• 1737
• Safe to talk
• Lifeline
• Youthline

Further information

• Why are ratings and content warnings important for me and my whānau?
• Brain development – how it works, why it matters