Game Night
Warner Bros. | Release Date: February 23, 2018
7.2
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 372 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
275
Mixed:
79
Negative:
18
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6
Tony1984Mar 6, 2018
The quality of big screen comedy has been well below par for decades. Formulaic kidult pop culture jokes which are just not funny. Game Night is all of these things of course but thankfully there is a saving grace. The story. It’s imaginativeThe quality of big screen comedy has been well below par for decades. Formulaic kidult pop culture jokes which are just not funny. Game Night is all of these things of course but thankfully there is a saving grace. The story. It’s imaginative and original with lots of twists and turns. The actors are a mixed bag. Jason Bateman plays his usual role here. There is a black couple who really don't do anything apart from stretch one joke way too long. But the characters of Ryan and Sharon Horgan, Rachel McAdams and Jesse Plemons are very good. It's a movie of smiles and chuckles rather than belly laughs but a lot better than most comedies released.… Expand
3 of 3 users found this helpful30
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6
The3AcademySinsApr 4, 2018
Game Night is your typical color-by-numbers big budget Hollywood comedy. Yet, in spite of that, there are some really enjoyable moments. The action swings between comedic and tense quite well, and the transitions between scenes are veryGame Night is your typical color-by-numbers big budget Hollywood comedy. Yet, in spite of that, there are some really enjoyable moments. The action swings between comedic and tense quite well, and the transitions between scenes are very inventive. The cast all give good performances. The script does have a few distracting plot holes, and sometimes the comedy falls completely flat. It's overall a safe, fun movie.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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6
mrdr4gonMar 13, 2018
Decent, well made comedy. Its a little light on the laughs though, which is a shame because there are some very funny jokes that do land. Too often though setups are telegraphed and that's when there are jokes instead of just zippyDecent, well made comedy. Its a little light on the laughs though, which is a shame because there are some very funny jokes that do land. Too often though setups are telegraphed and that's when there are jokes instead of just zippy conversation. There's some surprisingly good camerawork and some strong performances from Rachel McAdams and Jesse Plemons but in the end it doesn't rise too far above being 'alright.'… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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6
JLuis_001Feb 27, 2018
I will be honest, I really thought this movie was going to be a colossal failure and although I don't think it was something memorable, it really works.
The cast is solid and the gags are also funny enough to keep you attentive andI will be honest, I really thought this movie was going to be a colossal failure and although I don't think it was something memorable, it really works.
The cast is solid and the gags are also funny enough to keep you attentive and entertained, 100 minutes well spent. Rachel McAdams is a charming goddess and while she could be doing better things she's a great support for the film, however, I would say the only weak link is Jason Bateman and I don't say it because the dude was wrong or wasn't funny, the problem is that in comedies he always plays the same guy and I don't see any acting growth, I think he's just happy with showing up.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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6
drone41May 20, 2018
This is a great movie to watch when you want to relax. Sense of humor is absolutely crazy in positive way, and movie has a really interesting plot.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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6
AugustKellerJun 4, 2018
Moments of genuine craftsmanship mixed with insulting storytelling, Game Night shows how far style can carry a complete lack of substance. Tilt shifts shots and a synth soundtrack are used aplenty to give this film a hip and unique feel.Moments of genuine craftsmanship mixed with insulting storytelling, Game Night shows how far style can carry a complete lack of substance. Tilt shifts shots and a synth soundtrack are used aplenty to give this film a hip and unique feel. There is an ambitious, continuous action shot that is genuinely engaging and subtle uses of CGI that add authentic comedic effects. Performances from Rachel McAdams, Jesse Plemons, Lamorne Morris and Sharon Horgon range from enjoyable to highly memorable. Yet, despite all this praise, the fundamental flaws of Game Night hold the movie back in a major way.

While clever details and wit do make their way into the script, the meat of the story is spent meandering through cliche scenes primarily motivated to get cheap laughs. This is to be occasionally expected in a comedy but there comes a point when the story being told becomes practically nothing at all. This issue is only exasperated by the performance of Jason Bateman, who spends much more time coming off as a jerk than anything else. Condescension can be a funny trait to dip into but when it is the only note our protagonist plays, it becomes hard to root for. Deceptively packaged with sleek techniques and a surprise supporting cast, Game Night amounts to a story about almost nothing and an unintentionally dislikable hero.

Writing: 2/10
Direction: 7/10
Cinematography: 7/10
Acting: 5/10
Editing: 6/10
Sound: 7/10
Score/Soundtrack: 7/10
Production Design: 7/10
Casting: 7/10
Effects: 7/10

Overall Score: 6.2/10

Original Article: https://thefilmguys.blog/reviews/augusts-reviews/game-night-2018/… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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6
TryASummersaultMar 1, 2018
Your standard comedy these days. Some laughs here and there but at times tries extremely hard at being something it really isn't with the plotting and twists. This is like the highest rated comedy in years and it really didnt live up to theYour standard comedy these days. Some laughs here and there but at times tries extremely hard at being something it really isn't with the plotting and twists. This is like the highest rated comedy in years and it really didnt live up to the hype although it was better than i thought it would be. Comedy is officially stagnant and close to being a dead genre entirely but this kept it just above the water but not much more.… Expand
2 of 4 users found this helpful22
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4
Rebecca31Mar 9, 2018
Game Night is entertaining to a point but the plot very quickly loses the run of itself as it drifts into the realm of ridiculous. Stuffed full of every reference to every game you've ever played. Also filled with movie reference upon movieGame Night is entertaining to a point but the plot very quickly loses the run of itself as it drifts into the realm of ridiculous. Stuffed full of every reference to every game you've ever played. Also filled with movie reference upon movie reference just to make sure you're having a good time. At one point there was an audible groan coming from the audience and honestly I felt their pain.

Max (Jason Bateman) and Annie (Rachel McAdams) are the ultimate competitive couple who host a weekly game night with their equally competitive friends. However, their usual Game Night changes when Max's brother Brooks (Kyle Chandler) comes along and hosts a Game Night with a twist. This isn't your ordinary Game Night, no this is the ultimate Game Night. Someone will be taken and it's up to the teams to use the clues and figure out where the person has been taken, be the first to find them and win the grand prize. Meanwhile some real kidnappers come along at the most convenient time and crash the Game Night. Hilarity ensues as the teammates rush off to solve this mystery while unknowingly participating in a real life hostage situation with real criminals and real weapons...or are they? What's real and what's part of the game is not clear and this only adds to the comedy. At least that was the plan, maybe Game Night was supposed to be hilarious, maybe if their best jokes weren't shoved in all the trailers as a selling point this would have gotten a few laughs out of me. I guess we'll never know. Jesse Plemons creepy performance was perhaps the best thing in it, the rest was an eye rolling and cringe inducing mess. Not recommended unless you loved the trailer, in that case go ahead. … Expand
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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5
WhiskeyStoriesMar 5, 2018
What the hell?!! Whats all this hype around this movie?! There's honestly nothing exceptionally praisworthy or special about it. The comedy is terribly unfunny, every joke is just a reference to some pop-culture sh!t (á la Seth MacFarlane)What the hell?!! Whats all this hype around this movie?! There's honestly nothing exceptionally praisworthy or special about it. The comedy is terribly unfunny, every joke is just a reference to some pop-culture sh!t (á la Seth MacFarlane) and the story is just as underwhelming. Game Night is one of your regular American mainstream Jason Bateman comedies (e.g.: Horrible Bosses, Office Christmas Party etc.), but for some reason both critics and the public are raving about it. /I honestly can't remember whan was the last time Jason Bateman gave a legit comedic performance in a film./ The only aspects of the film that stand out are its cinematography, which is inventive at times and Jesse Plemons who was actually pretty funny. Game Night is average at best.… Expand
1 of 3 users found this helpful12
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6
EpicLadySpongeJul 26, 2018
Game Night isn't the best idea I have ever seen that actually works. If I have to praise something that Game Night achieved, it's that the film attempted to avert being in the horror genre all together. It thankfully works as it is withoutGame Night isn't the best idea I have ever seen that actually works. If I have to praise something that Game Night achieved, it's that the film attempted to avert being in the horror genre all together. It thankfully works as it is without being in the horror genre, but the only flaw with it is that it can purposefully drag itself for quite some time during the film. I wish we have more films like Game Night if Game Night ever fixes its draggy length problems.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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4
LegendaryLassDec 14, 2018
Moderately amusing but uneven. When you make a plot-heavy comedy, that comedy damn well had better work logically and have all it's loose ends tied up without getting in the way of the laughs. Sadly, Game Night's excellent case can't saveModerately amusing but uneven. When you make a plot-heavy comedy, that comedy damn well had better work logically and have all it's loose ends tied up without getting in the way of the laughs. Sadly, Game Night's excellent case can't save it from being a miasma of confounding illogic and underplayed bits.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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6
marcmyworksMay 13, 2018
Not as bad as I thought it would be but it won't be making any top 10 lists any time soon. Overall good cast, moments of entertainment but nothing to write home about.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
Voodoo123Feb 23, 2021
Game night sports a ridiculous comedy screenplay that borders on parody. The 'murder game' twists once too many times to be taken seriously but the casting is superb. As much as I'd love to see a more dramatic realistic take on this concept,Game night sports a ridiculous comedy screenplay that borders on parody. The 'murder game' twists once too many times to be taken seriously but the casting is superb. As much as I'd love to see a more dramatic realistic take on this concept, it's clear there was alot of fun had in the making of this movie and overall it's just very entertaining!… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
ElofsonMay 20, 2018
Two words: Silly, dumb. Perhaps really funny for 10 year-olds.
All the people are idiots. Most of the actors overacted, but Rachel McAdams was the worst, overacting terribly.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
PurguinsMar 9, 2018
Game Night is a mediocre comedy movie that overused the practice of creating willing suspension of disbelief. This technique can only make something enjoyable as long as it is not overly-surreal. Too many times in Game Night where I found theGame Night is a mediocre comedy movie that overused the practice of creating willing suspension of disbelief. This technique can only make something enjoyable as long as it is not overly-surreal. Too many times in Game Night where I found the movie to be stupid rather than hilarious.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
amheretojudgeFeb 28, 2018
and how were we supposed to know that..

Game Night As the premise guides you, the feature walks till the end on just an idea for 100 minutes holding the audience tightly onto the screen and delivers what was more than promised. A plot likeand how were we supposed to know that..

Game Night

As the premise guides you, the feature walks till the end on just an idea for 100 minutes holding the audience tightly onto the screen and delivers what was more than promised. A plot like such can only go certain way and the creators being aware of it uses it perfectly not making it all look like a hoax and justifies the whole track by focusing on the characters reasoning and development that proves out to be the strength of the feature later on. John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein have definitely matured themselves as directors on screen but in here the writer, Mark Perez is the game changer for it is written smartly and explicitly that easily helps the audience settle into it. Jason Bateman is as always hilarious in its role but surprisingly so is Rachel McAdams; in fact she is even better and among other good supporting cast like Kyle Chandler and Jess Plemons, the feature is safe under performance level. Game Night is not your same old dull comedy-gone-wrong genre, in fact it is quite like an episode of sitcom that offers enough room for the character and actors to fill in their input along with hilarious yet smart writing that enfolds in each phases as it ages on screen keeping the audience on the edge of the seat.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
CoKronakanMar 21, 2019
This movie was a funny and entertaining comedy, with a couple of flat jokes, but still tolerable. Rachel and Bateman did a good job delivering on theirs script and their character's personalities, but sadly their jokes where just short ofThis movie was a funny and entertaining comedy, with a couple of flat jokes, but still tolerable. Rachel and Bateman did a good job delivering on theirs script and their character's personalities, but sadly their jokes where just short of funny. But the supporting actors have a lot more humor and charisma. The visuals where sloppy a couple of times, but only noticeable for the eagle eyed ones. The music in the action scenes and overall where lacking the right feel to the movie and did not radiate immersion. Non the less this movie did not deliver on many elements of the movie. The core of it was too little. The plot was to simple and you could see most of the twists from miles, and the sad thing that totally ruins the movies fun was the trailer. They included every single great scene in the trailer, which made for the audience to loose their interest when found out that those where the best scenes and the funniest jokes. Overall it's an above average movie, which could have been a lot better if not spoiled in the trailer and if the small details and semi-major elements of the movie have been executed right.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
IusedtobeacatMar 7, 2018
I'm not generally a fan of comedy flicks the once that I end up liking have to be either really good or really hilarious by my standards and I immediately knew from the trailer that I wouldn't like this one but my friend really wanted toI'm not generally a fan of comedy flicks the once that I end up liking have to be either really good or really hilarious by my standards and I immediately knew from the trailer that I wouldn't like this one but my friend really wanted to watch it and it has a high rating on both IMDB and Metacritic as well so I thought I'd give it the benefit of the doubt. Have to say it was rather disappointing. What I didn't like: I don't know what the aim of this movie was and who its meant to be for. The plot is juvenile and the writers seem to think that idiotic characters make for a hilarious movie when it doesn't. The characters were so stupid in fact that I felt sorry for them on more than one occasion, you know how usually in sitcoms you come across that one idiot character that makes those stupid remarks throughout the show. That was virtually every single character in this motion picture. When it comes to its comedic content, this movie didn't make me laugh, I think the audience in the theatre laughed a total of 3 times and all of these times they were laughing at sex jokes which perfectly sums up the humor in this film for me, it's toilet humor mostly. Maybe that is something that people are drawn to but I personally never found it funny. What I liked: The acting was alright. The characters were dumb and the dialogue was stupid but the actors did everything they can with what they had. Of course, the cast was mostly white but we had the token black couple in this movie as well just like every other movie or comedic sitcom that has to include at least one minority in its main cast. Conclusion: I think the director/producers/writers of the film had an overall good idea for this movie but they, unfortunately, plucked the fruits before it was fully ripe. I think had they gave it more time this could have been a fantastic movie, one that relies on more than just cheap sex jokes and has only stupid and creepy characters. Clearly, the majority liked this film so I'm only in the minority here. There is a chance that you'd like it too.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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5
wafflereviewsMar 10, 2018
While it starts off a bit slow, Game Night proves to be (almost) worth the ride. What follows is a satisfactory experience. This movie somehow happens to be predictable and unpredictable at the same time, it's hard to explain but it's true.While it starts off a bit slow, Game Night proves to be (almost) worth the ride. What follows is a satisfactory experience. This movie somehow happens to be predictable and unpredictable at the same time, it's hard to explain but it's true. There are a few really funny scenes, and a great one-shot action scene that was very fun to watch. However, it never tries to be more than an okay comedy film that's entertaining to watch once, maybe twice if it's on the television in about ten years time. Some characters would also get on my nerves a lot, and there are a few missed oppurtunities throughout, and it has its fair share of cringe-worthy moments, as almost any comedy film of this nature does. The biggest praise I can give this film is that it doesn't rely on raunch to make the audience laugh. Sit back, turn your brain off, just have a light, fun time.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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5
JDDallas1May 28, 2018
Was it just me or did it seem ALL (most) of the funny lines were in the trailer? Great cast..but I expected MORE. (also, Jeffrey Wright has a part that makes all of 2-3 mins of movie?..what?! did he owe someone a favor?)
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
ahmedaiman9999May 14, 2018
Let's begin with the positives. With that said, I think it would be fair to start mentioning what grabbed me from the beginning, and it's the cool direction. The visual style is quite polished and cranky. That wasn't just a mere feast for theLet's begin with the positives. With that said, I think it would be fair to start mentioning what grabbed me from the beginning, and it's the cool direction. The visual style is quite polished and cranky. That wasn't just a mere feast for the eyes, but this cool direction also helped to set up the tone for the movie. That tells us this movie would be a slapstick comedy that shouldn't be taken seriously, but it would also has a touch of dark comedies and some smart jokes. And that's what I got ........ sorta!

The premise itself is superb! Honestly, I am not a big fan of comedy movies, specially new comedies, but the concept of Game Night is what make me insist to watch it.

The movie has some twists and jokes that as smart and genius as its premise. But there are some things that made Game Night a good comedy film but nothing more. The chemistry between the actors is what made these smart jokes work. As when these actors don't appear on screen together, there is almost no joke that hit the mark. That's not just because the dialogue between smaller groups of characters isn't as smart as between the more bigger ones, but also because the minor characters, despite the good performances and the different personalities, aren't interesting at all and just not funny!
Kyle Chandler's character, Brooks, is the only secondary character that I found interesting and very funny, and Kyle Chandler's performance made his character even more interesting. Jason Bateman was okay specially when I compare his performance to McAdams's. She seemed to me as she hated every single joke she said. Alas, her character has some of the best lines and smarter joke of the movie, and Rachel McAdams just ruined almost every joke with her sluggish delivering of jokes.
But as I talk about uninteresting characters and bad performances, I have to mention the actor that has the most annoying character of the movie, and maybe of all movies I've seen in recent times, and his performance that made this character even more annoying and infuriating. Of course, I'm talking about Jesse Plemons and his character Gary, the king of all tedious characters. You know this character that is so weird, creepy and vague that supposed to be funny, Gary is exactly this character, or at least that's what I should have had instead of a character that kept turning me off every time appeared on the screen. And these times aren't few for a secondary character.

Also, after the first act the humor retreated as the comedic set pieces were now and again and half way through the movie they were almost not there. Overall, I liked Game Night but it hasn't lived up to my expectations.

(6.5/10)… Expand
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4
carlossolracNov 16, 2018
They will keep making these movies if we keep watching them. So maybe we keep watching but only on planes and while on Ambien.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
KJ_20Mar 21, 2022
Bland humour and sideways plot makes for a fun mystery-packed adventure, but not a realistic story which will make you laugh, not at the jokes, but the movie itself in most scenarios.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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