There have been a litany of films that have, whether for budgetary concerns or artistic liberty, had to make do with mostly one location for the duration of their running time, and they've run the gamut from entertaining ("Devil") to plodding ("ATM", "Phone Booth"). I have an instinctive distrust for films in this sub-genre, as I know it's hard to pull off a script that contains enough moments of inspiration to make the use of mostly one location seem inspired and less of a narrative convention imposed by budget or (less rare these days) novelty. Rare is the film in this sub-genre that offers anything of re-watch value, but "Gerald's Game" comes close to surmounting the inevitable trappings of this trope. Unfortunately, close is still...close. It's not a win.
I don't imagine myself ever going back to view "Gerald's Game" again, despite the fact it does have several positive things going for it: the main actress gives an incredible performance and the "is he real or is he just a figment of her imagination" subplot of the Moonlight Man is deliciously creepy in the few brief moments he is utilized. I say I probably won't return to it because, while it was entertaining enough on its first run-through, a re-watch would simply be exposing myself to the same dialogue and psychological analyzation that would undoubtedly get old having to sit through again. Because unless there's constant action or tension most of the way through, that's pretty much all films of this nature CAN rely on to get to feature running time: dialogue. And usually lots of it.
Much has been made about a particularly gruesome scene that comes in the film's last third. Yes, it is gruesome, and a word to the wise would be to not watch or show the film to anyone who is in the least bit squeamish when it comes to gore or human anatomy. Personally, I prepared myself for an uncomfortable experience by telling myself doctors see much worse, which made the ensuing assault on the senses somewhat more bearable, although I doubt anyone would truly enjoy such a scene unless they're somewhat depraved (or just a really, really big fan of practical effects).
"Gerald's Game" is often draining and uncomfortable, offering just enough creep factor and psychological tension to make the first go-round worth it...almost.
I don't imagine myself ever going back to view "Gerald's Game" again, despite the fact it does have several positive things going for it: the main actress gives an incredible performance and the "is he real or is he just a figment of her imagination" subplot of the Moonlight Man is deliciously creepy in the few brief moments he is utilized. I say I probably won't return to it because, while it was entertaining enough on its first run-through, a re-watch would simply be exposing myself to the same dialogue and psychological analyzation that would undoubtedly get old having to sit through again. Because unless there's constant action or tension most of the way through, that's pretty much all films of this nature CAN rely on to get to feature running time: dialogue. And usually lots of it.
Much has been made about a particularly gruesome scene that comes in the film's last third. Yes, it is gruesome, and a word to the wise would be to not watch or show the film to anyone who is in the least bit squeamish when it comes to gore or human anatomy. Personally, I prepared myself for an uncomfortable experience by telling myself doctors see much worse, which made the ensuing assault on the senses somewhat more bearable, although I doubt anyone would truly enjoy such a scene unless they're somewhat depraved (or just a really, really big fan of practical effects).
"Gerald's Game" is often draining and uncomfortable, offering just enough creep factor and psychological tension to make the first go-round worth it...almost.