Fincher, who is also behind such thriller based classics as Seven, Fight Club and The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, adapts this popular novel with his well known streak of who dun-nit and who do we believe?

After meeting and falling in love in New York, Amy and Nick Dunn move to Missouri.

On their fifth anniversary, Nick arrives home to find his wife gone - seemingly kidnapped and murdered.

As the investigation ensues and the community rallies to find Amy a series of clues raise suspicions of police.

The plot, style and characters all suit Fincher to a tee and the performances of highs stars add even more to the film.

Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike play Nick and Amy wonderfully well.

Pike in particular tells the story well in the flashbacks of when domestic bliss was strong.

For Affleck, who playas man accused of killing his wife, it is one of his better performances.

He is usually known as a hit and miss actor with roles like Argo impressing and others such as in Runner Runner issuing the mark.

But in Gone Girl he does well with audiences torn between calling Nick innocent or guilty.

A host of talent also supports the intriguing tale with Neil Patrick Harris, Tyler Perry and Kim Dickens all playing great supporting roles.

The surprise packet is Carrie Coon who plays Nick’s straight-talking, loyal twin sister. She has only been in a handful of films (seven in all), with Gone Girl easily the most notable.

Coon and Affleck work especially well together as siblings with a strong connection.

In all, Gone Girl is a must-see film regardless of whether you have read the novel or not.

There was talk of the ending being altered but from a small amount of research, it isn’t a huge, plot-changing twist.

It might be too early to talk little gold statues but it would not be surprising if Gone Girl was seriously considered come awards season.

Gone Girl is now showing at Bendigo Cinemas. See page 3 of the Bendigo Advertiser for session details.

Follow film reviewer Chris Pedler on Twitter @FilmNerdChris