I really like Bateman and McAdams as actors, but this is the first time they’ve been paired as central characters in a film and they work very well off one another bringing chemistry, enthusiasm and energy to their roles of husband and wife, Max and Annie, who are super competitive game enthusiasts. It’s an ensemble cast for sure, but it’s built around these two actors, who are reliable and likeable.

Jesse Plemons (Black Mass, Black Mirror) is the next door neighbour who after divorcing from his wife no longer gets invited to game night. He’s looking for a way back in, but he’s super creepy. Plemons brings his now well known brand of weirdo to the role and really impresses.

Kyle Chandler (Manchester by the Sea) is Max’s more successful brother who gets kidnapped on game night. Is it part of the game? Or the real thing. Is Kyle involved in some serious crimes? Chelsea Peretti (Brooklyn Nine-Nine) and Michael C. Hall (Dexter) both have small roles along with Billy Magnussen, Sharon Horgan, Lamorne Morris and Kylie Bunbury.

Game Night hits all the right notes covering everything from comedy to action to mystery thriller. But the one thing that I always dislike about films like this is the feeling that the characters should know what is going on. We’re asked to suspend our disbelief that these people are so stupid as to not know the difference between a real, or a fake, kidnapping. But, Bateman and McAdams are good enough actors to convince us, just. So we go along for the ride and it’s a fast, fun ride, not for the characters but for the audience at least.

Game Night is a film that will keep audiences guessing as to what will happen next whilst nicely balancing slapstick comedy, action and mystery. It’s tightly paced, well directed and has likeable characters.

Author : Kevin Stanley