Gerald's Game's poster looks like something that graced the countless covers of adult romance literature worldwide. A lady, handcuffed to the bed is being caressed by a guy which may play an integral part of the love interest set in the story. If you didn't know the book that this Netflix's movie is adapted to and whom the author is, you'd probably think that this is just another erotic mature romance with some chance of graphic scenes.
But the phrase "Based on the novel by Stephen King" was actually the main selling point for Gerald's Game, a seemingly generic romance movie warped with horrifying elements behind the mind of the killer clown, It or the psychologically-twisted The Shining. Although it was proven over the years that adapting Stephen King's novels won't promise you a great reception from the audiences, as in the case of the messy "The Dark Tower" although was backed by heavyweights like Matthew McConaughey or Idris Elba, couldn't really save the towering disapproval from critics and audience.
With brilliant dialogues and two cleverly-acted complex characters, Gerald's Game could be the utmost inspiration of the lowest-budgeted-possible movie carrying the psychological thriller genre to strive triumphantly in the box office. It's proof that all you need is one person's mind in some tiny silly incident is what it takes to slowly descending into madness. Unlike The Purge's stale attempt of telling a story of a family in one beautiful house being terrorized by a gang of lawful maniacs with a budget of $3 million, Gerald's Game look in a narrower scope, constructing tension in a small bedroom which I believe could be lower than $3 million. Well, I am still in the dark since Netflix rarely announce the budget for their original movies.
Gerald's Game or what I'd like to call "Gerald's Dangerous Sexual Fantasy" started its story by showing a scene of a middle-aged couple driving through a remote territory startled by a sudden encounter with a dog at the middle of the road. The portrayal of isolation, deep-in-the-woods kind of feelings were brilliant. Knowing that a book adaptation movies usually stripped away the suspense, especially since King's books were beloved by millions and almost everyone knew the ending all along, director Mike Flanagan succeed in building uneasy feelings with loneliness which may evolve into desolation.
These two were trying to mend their sour relationship and after about fifteen minutes into the movie, Gerald (Bruce Greenwood) was handcuffing Jessie (Carla Gugino) to pleasure his kinky-self and oh he had been fantasizing of rape-ish intercourse with his wife- and I think I've had enough mentioning fantasies. This caused an uncomfortable sensation for Jessie whom although was supportive of her husband's initiative to spice up their relationship, was also terrified and uneasy when it comes to feeling helpless with restricted movement and her dark, depressing childhood trauma which made this character intense.
After some shouting and fighting, Gerald had a seizure-like moment and fell right on top of his wife. This is where the movie took a sharp turn. Not only that the heroine was already terrified, the worst thing that could happen to her is happening. The key was further from the bed, movements were extremely limited and Jessie and her husband's consciousness started to appear in front of her, trying their best to drag Jessie back to sanity.
If you like this, watch: Hush
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