In modern cinema, few filmmakers have quite had a distinct impact on the medium, quite like David Fincher. Known for his twisted and cerebral thrillers and dramas, Fincher first rose to prominence with the shocking and haunting thriller Se7en starring Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman before going on to some '90s cult classics such as Fight Club and The Game and later more prestige fare such as The Social Network and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. A few films after he began making feature films (before this, he had directed the music videos for Madonna's Vogue and Aerosmith's Janie's Got a Gun, among others), Fincher became a sought-after director in an industry that didn't necessarily highlight genre film directors.
Update September 22, 2023: With The Killer set for release soon and Halloween season around the corner, this article has been updated with even more reasons why David Fincher should return to horror films.
Despite having crafted accessible mainstream fare in recent years, Fincher is most celebrated for his more horror-based roots, and some of his recent output has honored his beginnings, most notably his Netflix-produced series Mindhunter, and the episode he directed for Love, Death + Robots (a series he also produces for Netflix), "Bad Travelling." While many have resonated with Fincher's recent works, several fans have longed for a return to the more primal and visceral territory that has defined some of his best work, and which he only experimented with directly in the sci-fi horror film Alien 3. Out of respect for the guy, if you ever get around to seeing this one, make sure it's the Director's Cut.
With a track record of orchestrating a truly captivating horror thriller, and with his horrifying episode of Love, Death + Robots indicating a return to the genre, it's clear that Fincher would make a phenomenal return to horror cinema. Here's why this one-time master of the genre should once again take a swing at it and give audiences something to squirm to the edge of their seats for.
Fincher's Adept at the Cat and Mouse Game
The tradition of the cat-and-mouse game between killer and detective is a trope often seen in many modern crime and horror films. Few have been able to cleverly and artistically craft this like Fincher, who took it to new and nerve-racking heights in his films Se7en and Zodiac. Fincher surprisingly relies less on gore and sensation and more on the mind games and manipulations that drive his protagonists toward all-out obsession. Brad Pitt's character in Se7en finds himself completely submerged in hunting down John Doe, which leads to both shocking and tragic results. Similarly, in Zodiac, Mark Ruffalo's great character finds himself grappling with an ongoing desire to catch the Zodiac killer and the debilitating feelings of failure when he comes up short.
This thematic aspect of his work allows Fincher to create truly immersive and thought-provoking horror that leaves an impression beyond just mere horror movie jump scares. In the years since, he's perfected and honed his craft, and to see him revisit this milieu with the skills and artistry he's gained would be nothing short of captivating. While many filmmakers portray these complex psychological relationships on-screen, few do so with as much complexity and vision as Fincher. It's safe to say many audiences would be more than willing to take the ride, considering films such as Se7en helped change the industry.
Fincher's next film is The Killer, which will be released in a couple of weeks and follows an international hitman being hunted by basically everyone after a hit goes wrong. The film reunites Andrew Kevin Walker, Se7en's writer, with Fincher, which can only mean he will return to his roots in the form of a suspense thriller that's already making people talk after being screened in Venice.
Fincher's Uncompromising Vision
In most thrillers or horror films, there's sometimes a line some filmmakers won't cross. For Fincher, however, no punches are pulled, and classics such as Se7en and Gone Girl prove he's willing to take a concept as far as possible. This is refreshing in an age where films play by traditional conventions, especially those in the horror genre. Fincher is also a strong stylist whose films carry a distinct atmosphere that's immersive and delivers a unique experience. Films such as Panic Room and The Game offer a claustrophobic mood that draws audiences further and further, all while ratcheting up the tension.
With this approach, Fincher's films masterfully unsettle audiences while developing a cinematic identity of their own. This has led his movies to feel personal even when they're adaptations, such as Fight Club, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, and Gone Girl. By returning to his old stomping grounds, a dark cross-section of noir and horror, Fincher can deliver a top-notch experience that's sure to disturb and engage viewers in equal measure.
Fincher Could Make "Elevated Horror" and We All Know How Popular That Is
Even at their best, horror films can sometimes come off as schlocky entertainment designed with the intention to gross out an audience. There does exist the subgenre of sophisticated horror films meant not just to frighten but also to leave one thinking. Yeah, "elevated horror".
Fincher is no stranger to this, as some of his earliest forays in the genre are designed with genuine artistry. In films such as Se7en and Zodiac, Fincher puts great care into generating suspense organically alongside the development of characters. This level of attention to craft elevates his films past convention, and it definitely makes them original rather than just run-of-the-mill thrillers.
Fincher also utilizes his films to explore themes such as masculinity, identity, obsession, and other aspects of human nature. By examining these deeper issues, he ensures his films linger long past the thrills and chills to connect with viewers on a deeper level. Even one of his most underrated films, Panic Room, is viewed as having deep psychological subtext that's still being dissected by fans and critics, subtext situated in a terrifying home invasion movie.
The Killer Could Serve As an Example
The only way this could work, however, is if Fincher works exclusively with original material. No franchises or reboots/remakes. Throughout his career, he's shown that his best work depends on his ability to control everything in the production. As far-fetched as that sounds because of how the industry works today, there's nothing more exciting than seeing your favorite filmmaker work in a popular variation of the genre people hate to love (and love to hate) and which has shown to be commercially viable today. Fincher isn't an economical filmmaker, but perhaps when he finally decides to "adapt" and make a full-blown horror feature, he'll lower his standards without necessarily sacrificing his vision.
The Killer sees Fincher out of the big studio system and staying in his genre comfort zone. The film hasn't been released yet, so we've yet to see how it does with audiences worldwide. However, we can't help but feel enthusiasm for him coming back after the dramatic adventure that was making Mank. That was a work of love that he just had to cross-check off his list, and it was insanely interesting as a historical drama. But audiences spoke, and Fincher decided to come back to the fear-ridden world of scary thrillers.
Giving the Audience What They Want
Above all else, for many, the experience of watching a successfully crafted horror thriller is one of the most deeply satisfying things a movie lover can do. Few in the industry have quite the handle on the genre (even just the tonality of it), as Fincher and his track record have given audiences countless classics.
A return to the genre would not only bring a decorated career full circle but also deliver a riveting and engrossing experience for audiences and fans of the genre. Having a filmmaker with vision such as Fincher at the helm could truly deliver something original and exhilarating to behold.
If his recent work on the hit Netflix series Mindhunter is any indication, Fincher is still capable of orchestrating an expert thriller that contends with the best of them. To see that once again on the big screen would be truly something to behold. The Killer will most likely bring this to the table and will bring him closer to the "elevated horror" conversation.
There's something to be said about a master returning to the territory he helped perfect, and that'd certainly be the case with Fincher making a return to the horror genre. It's safe to say film buffs and audiences alike would be more than grateful for the experience, and the results are sure to be nothing less than engrossing and further proof he's one of the most influential filmmakers working today. In the meanwhile, let's wait until The Killer does good at the box office and see Alien 3 the way he intended us to.