Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Gerald’s Game’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

We like to think that our past does not in any way define us. That we can put any of the ill moments and trauma we’ve experienced through the years behind us and move forward without any issue whatsoever. But deep down, we all know that’s simply not the case. Our past is always with us, and it does in many ways define us and some use that as an excuse or a reason as to why they cannot move forward in life, simply because, they are a product of their environment and nothing can be done to make their lives better in any way.
 
Yet, the fact of the matter is, there is a way to escape our past and that is by confronting it, but how exactly one does that, is up to the individual and oddly enough, the moment. Sometimes we simply come to realize that we are not happy with who we are, and a touch or a heavy dose of therapy is what we need to confront the shadows in our mind. Or sometimes, fate simply forces us to face it, whether we like it or not, and how we respond in that moment is critical to our future. Because if we ignore the opportunity, we are doomed to let yesterday haunt us, but if we confront it…well wonders can occur, and it is the past and the moment when we are forced to face it that takes the center stage in Gerald’s Game.
 
Now in this particular film, we are introduced to Jessie and Gerald Burlingame, a couple that quite frankly, is struggling to find the spark in their relationship. But a romantic weekend away from the city and the daily grind is just what they need to spice things up a bit. But a seemingly innocent moment, wherein Jessie is handcuffed to the bed as part of the effort to add a little excitement to the relationship, turns to terror when Gerald has a massive and fatal heart attack, leaving his wife turned widow bound to the bed with no hope of escape. And now that Jessie is alone with her thoughts, her life, and every important moment that’s ever haunted her is going to flash before her eyes and she will have to make a tough decision; either give in to the darkness that is clinging to her soul and let it decide her fate or take this opportunity to face it and fight to stay alive.  

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When I first heard that Netflix was going to adapt this particular Stephen King story into a movie, I won’t lie, I was a tad skeptical that it was going to be anything special. I say that, simply due to the fact that it isn’t really one of my favorite King stories. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a solid read, but something was always missing for me when it comes to this particular tale, and I didn’t know what it was, until I saw this adaptation. Because as it turns out, this is one of those rare King stories that quite frankly works better on the silver (or in this case, small) screen simply because the nuances of panic and the sheer fear that Jessie experiences in this tale, are front and center in the film and the masterful pacing from Writer/Director Mike Flanagan allows for the tension to build moment by moment as you wonder if and how Jessie is going to get out of this mess.
 
But, the true centerpiece of the story is Jessie’s overall journey. Because when we first meet her, she really is someone content with their present situation and she’s a bit of a pushover. After all, Gerald is quick to talk down to her and demand things and she’s content to give him what he wants because it seems she has no sense of self-worth. But goodness, does she undergo quite the transformation before our eyes as she works to figure out how to get free from the bed and I love the fact that her past plays a huge part in this and that she works hard to confront her demons and overcome them to become a strong and dynamic character by the end of the film and well, how exactly she escapes from her shackles is something that needs to be seen to be believed, but it truly is the pinnacle moment of her growth and her newfound strength.
 
If anything, what I appreciated most about this film, is the message that it carries, in that, we have to face our past at some point or another, and while that is of course handled in the most extreme of fashion, the message resonates well, and I also loved the fact that this film didn’t fall into any horror tropes when it comes to how women are often treated in the genre since Jessie isn’t saved by a man or some external plot device. It’s her newfound strength and growth that make that happen, and it’s awesome that a female lead received a complete journey in this tale and walked out of this mess for the better. Either way, this is quite the entertaining watch. It will captivate you, and leave your heart racing as you watch Jessie work to sort out her life and her situation and it’s one that I recommend you see, simply because it offers something different when it comes to the horror genre.   

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