"Gone Girl" is one of the best suspense thrillers in decades. It has thrills, chills, plot twists and turns. At times, it's terrifying.

It's a real nail-biter (Believe me, I know. I did.).

There are several reasons why you should see "Gone Girl."

First, of all, it's very entertaining. Second, the actors are excellent. Third, the direction is superb.

Finally, because there should be several Oscar nominations, "Gone Girl" should be on your must-see list.

"Gone Girl" is one of the smartest, slickest, popcorn films since "Basic Instinct" (1992, Michael Douglas, Sharon Stone), "Sleeping With The Enemy" (1991, Julia Roberts) and "Fatal Attraction" (1987, Michael Douglas, Glenn Close). "Gone Girl" is in the tradition of director Alfred Hitchcock's psychological thrillers.

Gillian Flynn, former television critic for Entertainment Weekly magazine, adapted her first-time novel, "Gone Girl," which sold some 6 million copies, and wrote the "Gone Girl" screenplay. Flynn succeeds where many first-time screenwriters might fail.

Flynn doesn't fall in love with her material, yet retains staccato-cadence dialogue that will make your ears spin, while keeping the story moving forward. She may be the only person who could keep the complex plot straight.

The brilliance of "Gone Girl" must, of course, also be credited to director David Fincher ("The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo," 2011; "The Social Network," 2010; "The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button," 2008; "Panic Room," 2002; "Fight Club," 1999; "Se7en," 1995).

Fincher's meticulous style leaves no clue unturned. He's ruthless in his portrayal of the main characters, who are so unlikeable as to be off-putting. Yet Fincher manages to get us to at least give them the benefit of the doubt.

In "Gone Girl," Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck), a community college professor, becomes a murder suspect and center of a media circus when his wife Amy (Rosamund Pike), author of the popular "Amazing Amy" children's book series, disappears on their fifth wedding anniversary.

The police net is closing in on Nick as his and Amy's suburban picture-window perfect marriage begin to shatter.

Details of Amy's diary provides flashbacks juxtaposed with images of the Nick and Amy scandal splashed across cable news, creating a social media frenzy.

The dialogue is often raw, and bitterly funny. When they meet, Amy, the "cool girl," says to Nick, "I prefer men who are funny, not funny."

Years later, Nick says to his wife, "Yes, I loved you and then all we did was resent each other, try to control each other. We caused each other pain."

To which, Amy responds, "That's marriage."

While "Gone Girl" is on surface a "whodunnit," and there will be no spoilers here, at its core it's a brutal examination of personal politics centered on the marriage of Nick and Amy.

Affleck (Oscar recipient, "Good Will Hunting," 1998; "Argo," 2013) gives an unaffected, seamless performance. Look for an actor Oscar nomination for Affleck.

Pike ("The World's End," 2013; "Jack Reacher," 2012; "Surrogates," 2009; "Pride And Prejudice," 2005) is amazing, showing a range of characterizations as to be almost unrecognizable. Look for an actress Oscar nomination for Pike.

The solid supporting cast includes Neil Patrick Harris (Desi, Amy's former boyfriend), Tyler Perry (Tanner Bolt, a defense attorney), Carrie Coon (Margo, Nick's sister), Kim Dickens (Rhonda Boney, a detective), Patrick Fugit (Officer Jim Gilpin), David Clennon (Amy's father), Lisa Banes (Amy's mother), Emily Ratajkowski (Nick's student), Missi Pyle (television personality) and Sela Ward (television personality).

"Gone Girl" should garner an adapted screenplay nomination for Flynn and a director nomination for Fincher. Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross should score Oscar nominations for the movie's score.

You will find lots of sheer entertainment in "Gone Girl."

"Gone Girl," MPAA Rated R (Restricted. Children Under 17 Require Accompanying Parent or Adult Guardian.) for a scene of bloody violence, some strong sexual content-nudity, and language; Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller; Run time: 2 hrs., 29 min.; Distributed by Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp.

Credit Readers Anonymous: "Gone Girl" was filmed on location in Missouri, Illinois, Los Angeles (sound stages) and New York City.

Box Office, Oct. 10: Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike's twisted marital bliss continued to fascinate movie-goers, No. 1 two weeks in a row with $28.8 million, $78.2 million, two weeks, taking a bite out of "Dracula Untold," opening at No. 2, with $23.4 million, and keeping "Alexander And The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day," starring Steve Carell, as well as Ben Affleck's wife, Jennifer Garner, opening at No. 3, with $19.1 million;

4. "Annabelle," $16.3 million, $62.1 million, two weeks; 5. "The Judge," $13.3 million, opening; 6. "The Equalizer," $9.7 million, $79.8 million, three weeks; 7. "Addicted," $7.6 million, opening; 8. "The Maze Runner," $7.5 million, $83.8 million, four weeks, 9. "The Boxtrolls," $6.6 million, $41 million, three weeks; 10. "Left Behind," $2.9 million, $10.9 million, two weeks;

Unreel, Oct. 17:

"Fury," R: Brad Pitt stars in what should be an Oscar-nominated role as a World War II soldier commanding a Sherman tank behind enemy lines. Shia LaBeouf, Logan Lerman and Michael Pena co-star in the war drama.

"The Best Of Me," PG-13: Two high school sweethearts reunite after many years when they visit their hometown. James Marsden and Michelle Monaghan star in the romantic drama.

"The Book Of Life," PG: The animated film about a young man on an adventure features the voice talent of Zoe Saldana, Channing Tatum, Ice Cube, Christina Applegate and Ron Perlman.

"Birdman Or (The Unexpected Virtue Of Ignorance," R: Michael Keaton stars in what may be an Oscar-nominated role as a washed-up actor who is in a Broadway play. The comedy-drama co-stars Zach Galifianakis, Edward Norton Emma Stone, Naomi Watts, Amy Ryan and Andrea Riseborough.

Read Paul Willistein's movie reviews at the Lehigh Valley Press web site, thelehighvalley-press.com; the Times-News web site, tnonline.com; and hear them on "Lehigh Valley Art Salon," 6 - 6:30 p.m. Mondays, WDIY 88.1 FM, and wdiy.org, where they're archived. Email Paul Willistein: pwillistein@ tnonline.com. You can follow Paul Willistein on Twitter and friend Paul Willistein on facebook.

Four Popcorn Boxes out of Five Popcorn Boxes