David Fincher - Actor's Director

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After more than 100 Eyebrow Cinema videos, it's time to tackle the ultimate KZbin video essayist rite of passage: The David Fincher Video. In this essay, I look at the performances of Fincher's filmmaker and attempt to understand David Fincher as an actor's director.
Works Cited:
Wreckage and Rage: Making Alien 3. Charles de Lauzirika. 2003.
The Game Commentary Track with David Fincher et al. 2017.
All in the Game. David Sterritt. 2017.
Fight Club Commentary Track with David Fincher. 2009.
Panic Room Commentary Track with David Fincher. 2003.
Zodiac Commentary Track with David Fincher. 2009.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Commentary Track with David Fincher. 2009.
The Curious Birth of Benjamin Button. David Prior. 2009.
The Man Who Watched The Hours Go By. Kent Jones. 2009.
The Social Network Commentary Track with David Fincher. 2011.
How Did They Ever Make a Movie of Facebook? David Prior. 2011.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Commentary Track with David Fincher. 2012.
Casting Salander. David Prior. 2012.
Daniel Craig on Film Acting. David Prior. 2012.
Gone Girl Commentary Track with David Fincher. 2015.
Dismantling the Myth of David Fincher. 2020. Eric Ducker. www.theringer.com/movies/2020...
Brad Pitt Did Everything in His Power to Keep Seven's Ending Intact. 2022. Fatemeh Mirjalili. www.slashfilm.com/865456/brad...
Filmography: letterboxd.com/eyebrowcinema/...
Music Featured:
Blacksmith by Godmode
Haunted Forest by TrackTribe
Both Flanks by Small Colin
Surrender by Asher Fulero
The Plan's Working by Cooper Cannell
Dream Escape by The Tides
Vampire by Emmit Fenn
Carnival by smallertide
Love Him by Loyalty Freak Music
When the World Goes Quiet Pt. VI by RYDOX
I Feel You by Soft & Furious
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[@EyebrowCinema]

What's your favourite performance from a David Fincher film?

[@BlueMarsalis]

Charles S Dutton in Alien³

[@luissopelana]

Rosamund Pike in Gone Girl.

[@DevilishMew]

Andrew Garfield in The Social Network is probably a too easy choice, but it is what it is. The scene where Saverin tells off Zuckerberg and Parker after learning his share has been all but deleted is one of the most cathartic scenes in any movie.

[@windmills_waterfalls9374]

My favorite is one not mentioned in your video, and actually seems to go against the actor's type. Tyler Perry in "Gone Girl." Up until "Gone Girl," I associated him most with his Medea character, and so to see him just so IN THE ZONE as that lawyer (against type, like Wayne Brady in his "Chappelle's Show" sketch, or Mary Tyler Moore in "Ordinary People"), I left that movie thinking, "it would be incredible to see Tyler Perry's lawyer character in a spinoff movie!!" It was a revelation on the same level as seeing Megan Fox in "Jennifer's Body" or Tara Reid on "Scrubs" - underestimated / underutilized actors in the perfect role at the perfect time, firing on all cylinders. I also can't help but think about - Denzel Washington turned down Brad Pitt's role in "Seven." Jodie Foster was originally offered Sean Penn's role in "The Game." Janeane Garofalo turned down Marla Singer in "Fight Club" because of the nudity. Nicole Kidman had to turn down the lead of "Panic Room" due to an injury. How might those movies have been different? Excellent video, and I think you could even do a sibling video on David Fincher's relationships with his writers - he seems to have the same level of respect for them as he does his actors.

[@jonalmaraz9101]

Jake Gyllenhaal in Zodiac

[@two_owls]

I hope some day Fincher tackles something new, like the investigation of a serial killer.

[@ray-mc-l]

jokes aside. dear god i want to see a third season of mindhunter. we never got to see what happens with the kansas guy.

[@nateds7326]

What if he made a movie about a serial killer targeting serial killer investigating into other serial killers?

[@elbee3495]

@@ray-mc-lYessssss!! They need to finish the BTK storyline at least.

[@osmanyousif7849]

He probably is with his new movie The Killer, although, after reading the comics, I'd say otherwise.

[@zsyhan15]

hahahaha

[@GrandArchPriestOfTheAlgorithm]

My observation is that there's 3 pillars to good performances: Good script, good director and good Casting Director. Feel like people underestimate the importance of the last one.

[@EyebrowCinema]

Shout out to Laray Mayfield!

[@ShadyPlatinum777]

Absolutely 👍

[@GrandArchPriestOfTheAlgorithm]

@@EyebrowCinema Why stop there? I'm annoyed that there's no Oscar for best Casting Director (the ensemble reward if you like), but I'm not confused for why there isn't.

[@milton7763]

How about a fourth pillar: talented and dedicated actor?

[@GrandArchPriestOfTheAlgorithm]

@@milton7763 It's an answer in 3 parts: 1: A good actor can be miscast, therefore, “a good actor” and “the right actor” aren't the same thing. 2: Good actors tend to elevate another, so getting “a good actor” is inferior to “many good actors”. 3: A good casting director will get you good actors, so it’s redundant to make its own pillar.

[@diredier]

Strange hearing Fincher say: "Forest can't play evil" when Forest Whitaker won an Oscar for his terrifying performance as Idi Amin

[@KillahMate]

Yeah - I guess it would be more accurate to say that Fincher can't see _himself_ ever directing Forest Whitaker to play evil.

[@dumemnduka7930]

That film came out 4 years after panic room though, so at the time fincher probably didn’t have any reference for him playing an evil character

[@JacobMcCaslin]

I thought the same thing

[@theyrecousins]

was just gonna comment the same thing!

[@nitevibe9886]

@@dumemnduka7930 He was evil and abusive in Jason’s Lyric which came out in 1994

[@jwtrailers5317]

Earlier this year I helped organise a Q&A screening for my local cinema (in the UK) with Charles Dance, and someone in the audience asked what his best experience working with a director was, and without hesitance he said "working with David Fincher on Alien 3". He further mentioned that despite the confusion and frustration he felt throughout the shoot, it was always Fincher that guided his (and the rest of the cast's) performance(s); keeping the "sinking ship" afloat just long enough to get the most out of the actors. Despite the fact Dance has been in a number of productions since then, speaks volumes of Fincher's skill as a filmmaker.

[@EyebrowCinema]

Thanks for sharing. That's a great story that really puts Fincher's respect and care for actors into perspective.

[@BlueMarsalis]

I fucking love Alien³ and largely due to the performances and direction.

[@sothatsdevintart2562]

@@BlueMarsalisI agree, I view that movie as Fincher’s trial by fire, and his most interesting work imo

[@karlboyack1921]

I'd argue that Brad Pitt's casting in Fight Club is one of the best casting decisions of all time. He has such effortless sex appeal and a cool factor to him that does a great job at showing how one could fall for his twisted worldview. And towards the end when Tyler's schemes get more and more harebrained Pitt does a great job at displaying that unhinged and immature reality of the character so necessary in the film's condemnation of Project Mayhem. Great video, btw. Your unique and well thought out perspectives on film once again inspire

[@samuelbarber6177]

I often do forget that Brad Pitt is a legitimately good actor. Not that he’s bad, but I only see the movie star image in most movies, and then I see something like Se7en and I’m like, damn, he is actually great.

[@EyebrowCinema]

I agree. He's perfect as Tyler.

[@HEWhitney1]

Yes that's a great point about his physical charisma. Of course it's only the viewers who see him, not the other fight club and project mayhem members. Because of that it makes it much more shocking when the truth is finally revealed.

[@royce25november]

I'd argue Andrew Garfield's performance in silence is way more heartbreaking. I wish him and Timberlake were nominated for Oscars as well

[@filmreviewer117]

Mara was perfect of GWTDT as she captured the loneliness of the character and its proof that performances like that can come from the unlike of people.

[@maggiemcfly5267]

It makes me sad to think we'll never get an adaptation of the full Millenium trilogy with them. I really liked Fincher's take on it and Rooney's Lisbeth

[@filmreviewer117]

@@maggiemcfly5267 Same for many years in all cancelled movies not getting the other two films always sucks. Especially with Fincher laying the ground work for them.

[@ianstratton]

Spacey, Leto, Hammer....Fincher is the master at getting a great performance out of a future creep.

[@kostajovanovic3711]

Slide whistle

[@riverman6462]

The irony that most of these characters they played are despicable in their own right 😂

[@travismathis3279]

Brad Pitt as a character actor cursed with good looks is such a fantastic point and one that never occurred to me! 🤯 for real

[@riverman6462]

Johnny Depp too. But dude chose the alt path that Brad didn't

[@bensneb360]

David Fincher is the prime example of the old adage: Time and Effort wield the best results

[@SnapperChannel]

Congrats on over 100 episodes Dan! Love this video, really shows how in a time where we put a lot of emphasis on big actor performances, Fincher uses his actors to his advantage, letting them not be bogged down by their pre-conceptions of their previous roles but instead use it to elevate and at some points subvert to deliver some great performances. Also Golden Age of Jared Leto in movies lmao. One of your best bits because of how accurate it is.

[@EyebrowCinema]

Thanks Matt! I appreciate your support over the many dozens of videos.

[@chrisszczesiul837]

Amazing that you post this just two days before Charles Martinet officially retires from playing Mario. Wild coincidence.

[@sifatshams1113]

I think the most believable Movie Lie you could convince someone of is that Nightcrawler (2014) was directed by David Fincher.

[@Sandwhaler]

Heh, literally had the thought of "Gyllenhaal was in Zodiac and Nightcrawler, tho'? Oh, wait. Right."

[@ihaveallthecoins2785]

The Jared Leto montage made me snort my soda.

[@mindhost]

It really was *chef's kiss*

[@Callmedstone]

Wow, your delivery was a masterpiece. I had low expectations of this Fincher analysis; you knocked it out of the park and left us all with a serious serving of food-for-thought. Thank you for this.

[@elbee3495]

Awesome video! David Fincher has been my favorite director for many years and this was a really cool look into his process with the actors

[@iainronald4217]

I'm glad you said that about Jared Leto. One of the things I say constantly is "Ben Foster is the anti-Jared Leto." A lot of the roles that Jared Leto is given are better suited to Ben Foster, not to mention by all accounts he's a warm gentle presence on set, while still being a method actor. He is Jared Leto but perfected.

[@nihaalsandim9986]

Ben Foster is very underrated , and totally awesome

[@Duckfest]

Very nice video. Thanks for pointing out the actors that are recurring each movie for smaller parts. I recognized most of the scenes, but never connected the dots between them.

[@nunyabizness866]

Great work. The most satisfying vid I've seen in a while.

[@AaronMoneyMindset]

I love your channel. I found it via browse, but your commentary absolutely makes each video.

[@elliot2331]

Congrats on over 100 videos!

[@johnnyfive5629]

Amazing work!

[@entropyme9]

this is a must-watch for all Fincher fans. the amount of work that went behind this video is impossible to neglect. Particularly loved how you made a foreshadowing for Rooney Mara as the " one exception" - 11:51

[@DavidSimpson]

Excellent video! Fincher is my biggest influence and I always love watching a great video analysis essay ✅👍✅

[@Schellnino1994]

Great video! Cant wait for the Killer later this year

[@tuhinsubhranath4900]

I just finished your "Kubrick's actors" essay. I found stark similarity with how fincher and kubrick used their actors. Single appearance and got the best out of them. Recurring actors are mainly side characters. But Fincher is the more well behaved one with his actors.

[@factoryofdivisiveopinions]

This may be a hot take, but personally, I've always preferred his films over Kubricks. I just like Fincher's style and storytelling more.

[@tuhinsubhranath4900]

@@factoryofdivisiveopinions Fincher is a modern great director who prefers/knows how to use computer graphics to enrich his movies. Much like How Kubrick knew so much about camera lenses that he ordered to make new ones for 2001. Both are great with using technological advances

[@cleamajor]

Love this video! I love the acting in Finchers movies and it’s nice to see it being talked about. And re: Freevee, I’ve never watched an original movie there but I gotta plug the sitcom Primo, which is a Freevee original and my favorite thing which should be much more widely watched.

[@Two-ToneMoonStone]

0:11 A fellow Hogdipper in our midst?! I don't have anything else to add but good work as always dude, your videos go great with my Saturday morning coffee.

[@teddyfurstman1997]

Congratulations on 100 videos!

[@EyebrowCinema]

Cheers! Thanks Teddy.

[@IrishRoo12]

Good stuff as always

[@EyebrowCinema]

Thank you!

[@BKSF1]

Oh fuck yeah, really excited to see this!

[@gavinmillar816]

The Thin Red Line Requiem For A Dream Fight Club Panic Room The age of Leto was truly a golden time for cinema. RIP

[@samuelbarber6177]

I’m a simple man. I see Eyebrow Cinema talking Fincher, I click. In all seriousness, I’m not the biggest Fincher fan. I like his films, but there’s only three (that I’ve seen so far) that I’d say I truly love, those being Zodiac, The Game and The Social Network. And befitting this essay, The Game is actually my favourite Michael Douglas film (but to be fair it’s only really in contention with Ant-Man, so… I have some movies to get to). Zodiac also contains my favourite performances from Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo and Robert Downey Jr (followed closely by Oppenheimer).

[@EyebrowCinema]

The Game as a top-tier Fincher is a cool choice. I like that movie a lot and love Douglas in it.

[@samuelbarber6177]

@@EyebrowCinema I personally love it for the paranoia-inducing feel throughout the whole thing and then the awesome ending. Some might find it a cop-out but I love it.

[@TMRSoundsystem]

you have my sub, thanks for a fincher video that isn't about his cinematography!

[@seen921]

Excellent job btw Glad I found this channel. Great in-depth work and assessment of actors.

[@milton7763]

Wow, of you hadn’t pointed it out I wouldn’t even have noticed that ‘Erica’ and ‘Lizbeth’ are played bu the same actress!

[@siennastrickland2722]

Massive fan of KZbin commentaries/video essays. This is the first vid I’ve seen from your channel, and I’m blown away already. Great scripting, voiceover, sound design, and editing! Ik from experience conceptualizing/making my own videos that it’s not easy. There’s so much to consider! So fabulous job w this, gave me major inspo 🫡🫶🏽

[@nathanmontgomery1516]

Zodiac i feel would've been the best film of 2007 if there weren't three other films of that year that are also masterpieces. Zodiac is still a 10/10 movie filled with great performances and i did wish it at least got some nominations at the Oscars

[@EyebrowCinema]

I'm guessing No Country for Old Men, There Will Be Blood, and...?

[@suprotimroychowdhury8593]

​@@EyebrowCinemaSidney Lumet's 'Before the Devil Knows You're Dead' is also a masterpiece imo.

[@EyebrowCinema]

@@suprotimroychowdhury8593 i do love that movie.

[@nathanmontgomery1516]

​@@EyebrowCinemaand Ratatouille (a personal favorite of mine)

[@osmanyousif7849]

Considering how it was released around the same time as Wild Hogs a light-hearted, but extremely awful buddy comedy movie. I'm not surprised by it's box-office failure as well.

[@AgsmaJustAgsma]

12:06 A statement so true that Armie Hammer's acting leaked into real life.

[@maxis4343]

love how the video turned out, but i think going with the “master-caster” title and using that sorcerer image for the thumbnail would have been a bold and respectable choice nonetheless.

[@EyebrowCinema]

Fair point.

[@DBirdX]

Giles Lamb music credit at the 9 minute mark used for the Leto face punching montage?

[@r.t.5425]

Eyebrow: No one has used Andrew Garfield better… Martin Scorsese in Silence (2016): hold my beer.

[@MiltiadesJorbenadze]

I don't know about line delivery, but the way Pitt in the last scene of Seven changes his expression, trying to calm down, which is erased by a look of horror seems like genius acting to me.

[@electrodeboy]

Looking forward to the upcoming investigation of a serial killer movie with Michael Fassbender.

[@DwRockett]

0:05 Now Dan become film KZbinr, destroyer of takes, or something anyway YEAH 100 VIDEOS!!! WOOO 🥳 now is the time to do the next logical step: 100 videos solely about gorillas in cinema

[@milton7763]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 I so appreciate that cutaway to how to best use Jared Leto 😂😂😂😂 Reminds me of how Leonardo DiCaprio in his early days ‘next pretty boy’ phase of his career was decent enough to have his character get killed or at least locked in an iron face mask in most of his movies

[@ODDdiddle]

congratualionations

[@A-G-A-G]

And yet Forrest Whittaker played one of the most evil men on earth to terrifying effect

[@heysatan8]

Fincher: "Jodie Foster can play a lot of things. Stupid ain't one of them." Me: "TAY IN THE WIND!" (Nell)

[@lichtfilme]

i was also blown away by Rooney maras transformation

[@Baccanaso]

I guess I wasn't impressed because it was a remake so there was already a template to work off of.

[@xmanmartinez00]

What is that image at 6:11 ??

[@greenheadblackvoodochild2487]

Great video but dawg you was playa hating n shading so much n i enjoyed it 😂

[@benjaminsagan5861]

I'm surprised you didn't mention Spacey for both SeVen and the House of Cards episodes that Fincher directed.

[@BubblegumCrash332]

David Fintcher is a wizard

[@EJD339]

I think David is an example you dont need to be a prick to get what you want. You can still be demanding and annoying but its unnecessary to abuse the actors.

[@tuhinsubhranath4900]

I disagree with the Garfield one. Scorsese used him slightly better ig.

[@rylymbona]

I think he did such a great job in Tick Tick Boom.

[@blairsmith9849]

Ide like to know who Ad's for fincher, all thoughs takes they must shoot 1 scene a day

[@mrflipperinvader7922]

3:11 my dream is that Disney extends Fincher an olive branch and let direct a new entry in the Alein franchise, and let him have full freedom 8:27 that Jared Leto snark is STRONG! XD 15:19 I don't think it's meant to be a statement of bad acting on Pitt's part, never really heard anyone call that final scene iffy cause of Pitt's acting before 19:57 O_O

[@wexwuthor1776]

I did watch something on Freevee, but I can't remember what it was.

[@RossMcIntyre]

Fincher? I hardly know her!

[@ShogunOrta]

Alien 3 Baby!!!

[@traumachild1737]

Honestly, you just have to look at Alien 3 and the hellhole production around it and yet he still managed to turn out a borderline great film

[@1bridge11]

When Fincher said he couldn't picture Forest Whitaker playing an evil character, I was a little confused. I guess Fincher didn't see Whitaker's Oscar winning role playing Idi Amin in The Last King of Scotland.

[@bartmann81]

Havenstad finishes the essay but yet, but coulant wait with this comment: wow, that is a good Jared Letho-burn

[@TylerJHill]

While the entire video is great, nothing has ever been more correct than observing that Jared Leto was only fine when he had small roles where he died. I think the problem might be: Fight Club didn't kill his character. Somehow this was a mistake. Fincher didn't know but it broke some gypsy curse and let Leto loose on all of us. I really like what you had to say about Fincher, good stuff, but look, can you please make a video just dunking on Jared Leto? Even if it's just for you and me. ᶜᵃⁿ ʷᵉ ˢᵗᶦˡˡ ˢᵃʸ ᵍʸᵖˢʸ ᶜᵘʳˢᵉ

[@theboofin]

Absolutely nothing wrong with Pitt's line readings at the end of Seven.

[@freshparkfilms]

oh I also rewatched Mindhunter...😢they need to make season 3 Idc about Netflix's excuses just get it done...

[@gabrielhborgesrolo]

Hey, c'mon, Leto was great as Rayon! Great video, tho!

[@the9thinning1]

The only Freevee original I've seen is Jury Duty

[@evilincoln23]

It’s funny you mention that brad Pitt being a character actor trapped in a movie star’s body. I’ve said the same thing about Scott Eastwood except that he’s an extra trapped in a leading man’s body

[@uzzab6937]

You got the Brad Pitt section 100% right.

[@asperganoid]

"who better than Timberlake?" I'd say an actor, that's who. why wax lyrical about its value but then any Tom, Dick and Harry can come in and we're like '*wow*! would you look at that, who else could have done that?' an *actor*, man! come on!

[@itsbernardvideographer9356]

Stellar job my friend, wonderful video essay, all praise Allah. Fincher is the GOAT!

[@felipevece]

you are saying Jared Leto is kind like Sean Bein but with the condition if he dies the movie is good? XD

[@EyebrowCinema]

Exactly.

[@clanofclams2720]

11:46 nah man. Andrew fuckin Garfield. Under The Silver Lake clears.

[@factoryofdivisiveopinions]

15:15 strong disagree here. I thought he was perfect. His character goes through so many emotions and pitt portrayed it brilliantly. I personally liked him just as much if not more so than Freeman. His chemestry with Freeman made the movie so much entertaing, and the whole "whats in the box?" Is one of my all time fav scenes in any movie ever.

[@tremainemckinney9189]

Just finished seven few minutes ago

[@1sihingable]

Jared Leto.....😂😂😂😂 Awesome sh*t!

[@artirony410]

Cassavetes is another great "actor's director" mostly just because he was an actor too

[@CooperBridges-fi4pw]

Great video, but I really must disagree with you on your take of Brad Pitt's performance in Seven. Some of the best acting I've ever seen Pitt do was in that movie, and especially towards the end. Freeman was phenomenal as always but I truly think that Brad Pitt deserves some more appreciation for that scene.

[@Donkey_Glossolalia]

The golden age of Jared leto films 😆

[@rossbooth4635]

11:45 Andrew Garfield???

[@thefilmseeker]

Well, NOW there are no more niches to explore with Fincher. 😔

[@michaelpcoppage]

That dig at Dallas buyers was lame

[@film_magician]

How did you not touch on Timberlake playing a person who is trying to take down the music industry? lol such a great contrast, and a hilarious juxtaposition. Chrissy was the weakest part of the social network. She was ok in 21, but yah nothing much else after that.

[@robzs8388]

while very funny and fuck Jared Leto, I do think we must give him his laurels for Texas Buyers Club. He was fucking great in that.

[@5050clown]

compo sit.

[@5050clown]

taboola razas

[@relja5727]

A horrendous take on Brad Pitt. There’s no way you’re expecting to get taken seriously when saying stuff like that.

[@DingoTheDog]

You meant Actor’s Tormentor.

[@nickdavidurban]

On cultivating a good work environment, that may be true for everyone above the line, but god help you if you're a prop-buyer or a grip. I know people who wouldn't work for Fincher again if their lives depended on it.

[@Leonardo_No_Cardio]

You forgot Alien 3

[@NostalgiNorden]

Yeah the Leto part made me top watching this and downvote.

[@stevenwohlrab4764]

Wow, have you seen brad pitts filmography? he is a top tier actor along with leo. i hate people commenting on 3-4 of his films

[@miguelrosado6348]

Sounds like an essay written by A.I..

[@vitoryugojsm]

They were all good actors to begin with. There, saved you 20 minutes of filler.

[@TroyUlysses]

Fincher is WAY overrated.

[@Bonzulac]

I'm thirty seconds into your video and so far all I've heard is references to your own channel and videos, none of which I have seen. And I'm not going to see any of them, because you had 30 seconds to keep me. Consider cutting that tedious BS in future videos that I'll also never watch.

[@ElectricLabel]

David Fincher has never made an interesting movie.

[@ShadyPlatinum777]

He’s a great director but is far too reliant on his own style. As good as his movies can be they all feel too similar for my liking. Not that it’s a problem but just my take.

[@badado]

Do you guys think Fincher, Nolan and Paul Thonas Anderson Seem the biggest proteges of Stanley Kubrick in terms of style and scope and ocd style to detail!!? 👍👍🤷🏻‍♂️🤔