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Each week, families and friends gather together to munch on some snacks and play games—from strategy-filled card games to playful party games. But in Game Night, what starts out as a night of champagne and charades with friends turns into a deadly but wildly comical adventure.
Game Night stars Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams as Max and Annie, an ultra-competitive couple who hosts a weekly game night in their home. When Max’s charming and successful brother, Brooks (Kyle Chandler), comes to town, he decides to host game night at his fabulous rented home—and he vows to make it the best game night ever. He plans to host a murder mystery night—and there’s a classic Corvette at stake for the winner. So when two thugs kidnap Brooks, the rest of the guests assume that it’s just a part of the game—until they realize that it’s not.
We all know those people who turn everything into a cutthroat competition—whether it’s a casual card game or their kid’s first grade history project. Max and Annie take that competitive nature to extremes—but, fortunately, the fact that you’re not competing against them (whether knowingly or unknowingly) makes it more amusing than annoying. And as this night turns from a fun night with good friends to tense sibling rivalry to a kind of over-the-top competition to save Brooks from a ruthless crime boss, it just becomes wilder and more outrageous.
Of course, when Jason Bateman stars in a comedy, audiences generally know what to expect. Though there have been a few unfortunate exceptions to the rule, Bateman’s R-rated comedies tend to be madcap and often shockingly hilarious—and that’s definitely the case here. It’s filled with comic subplots and crazy adventures—as well as so many unexpected moments that will have viewers shouting out in surprise. And the supporting cast—especially Jesse Plemons as Max and Annie’s creepy neighbor, Gary—does a great job of keeping the laughs coming through every outrageous scene.
The story, meanwhile, holds nothing back. The plot has plenty of holes and inconsistencies and unbelievable scenarios—but, really, the comic wackiness of it all makes that perfectly acceptable. It isn’t necessarily a smart film, but it’s a whole lot of wildly hilarious fun.
If the ups and downs of February weather have you suffering from cabin fever, you can always get your friends together for a night of Monopoly and Trivial Pursuit. But that might not be quite as much fun as heading to your favorite theater, ordering a round of drinks, and watching this twisted comic adventure.
Listen to the review on Reel Discovery:
