No. 1
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo 2011
No. 11: "deeply, deeply deranged," and, per Sean, Fincher "circling the square on a lot of his interests."
The Big Picture · Rankings
The David Fincher Rankings, Part I
September 22, 2020/ 92 min/ Sean Fennessey · Amanda Dobbins · Chris Ryan
Sean Fennessey, Amanda Dobbins, and Chris Ryan open a 25-slot countdown of David Fincher's career (films, commercials, music videos, and TV), working from No. 25 up to No. 11. Movies are the minority on this stretch of the list.
3 films across 1 segment.
AI-generated This episode was transcribed and analyzed with AI models. The matches aren't perfect — expect the occasional misheard title or a link to the wrong film.
The David Fincher Rankings, Nos. 25-11worst to best, part I of II - only the films are below; the commercials, music videos, TV, and bonus features from the same countdown are under Excluded
No. 2
Panic Room 2002
Placed in tier D (Nos. 20-16), swapped in for Mindhunter at Chris's request. "Technically marvelous," but the Fincher film he returns to least: his Rope and Rear Window mashup, a deliberate comedown after Fight Club.
No. 3
Alien 3 1992
No. 25, opening the list. Even the 2003 assembly cut doesn't clear the bar Alien and Aliens set; Charles Dance's death 45 minutes in is where it drops off.
Also mentioned raised along the way
Named but held back for Part II Se7enFight ClubZodiacThe Social NetworkGone GirlThe GameMank
In passing The Curious Case of Benjamin ButtonAlienAliensAlien ResurrectionButch Cassidy and the Sundance KidIndiana Jones and the Temple of DoomReturn of the JediCitizen KaneThe IrishmanLa La LandKlute
Not films filtered out: TV, games, ads
TV House of Cards (pilot, No. 23)Mindhunter (No. 12)Ted Lasso
Music videos Bop 'Til You Drop (Rick Springfield)Cold Hearted (Paula Abdul, No. 22)Straight Up (Paula Abdul, tied No. 16/17)Express Yourself (Madonna, tied No. 16/17)Vogue (Madonna)Freedom '90 (George Michael, with Christy Turlington lip-syncing) - teased again as a Top-10/Part-II contenderCradle of Love (Billy Idol)Sixth Avenue Heartache (The Wallflowers)Judith (A Perfect Circle)Suit & Tie (Justin Timberlake ft. JAY-Z)The End of the Innocence (Don Henley)
Ads Instant Karma (Nike, No. 24)Fate / Leave Nothing (Nike, No. 21)American Cancer Society smoking-fetus PSA (No. 13)Dress Normal driving-range spot (Gap)Barkley on Broadway (Nike / Charles Barkley)The Referee (Nike / Dennis Hopper)a Coca-Cola spot with the Arquettesa Heineken spot with Brad PittHonda Del SolThe Chase (Levi's)You Will (AT&T)
Bonus features Gone Girl director's commentary (No. 20)The Social Network 'making of' featurette with Aaron Sorkin