Filmmaker David Fincher is known for his remarkable work in the world of cinema. From movies like Se7en, Zodiac, and Gone Girl to shows like Love Death + Robots, he has left an indelible mark with his work on the film industry. Despite his wide acclaim, the director has a distinctive perspective on his work.
As the director sat down with GQ to discuss his latest film, The Killer, he revealed his long-standing aversion to revisiting his movies. Fincher shared that he has deliberately refrained from watching his 1999 film Fight Club and doesn’t plan to do so as well.
David Fincher Has Not Watched Fight Club For 20 Years
David Ficher‘s 1999 film Fight Club did not receive the expected response at the time of its release. Based on the 1996 novel of the same name, the movie was ranked among the most controversial and talked about movies of the 1990s.
It received a mixed response from critics and earned $101 million against a $63 million budget. However, over the years, it has become one of the most celebrated movies and has gained a cult following. Cinema fans all around the world love to revisit the 1999 thriller film starring Brad Pitt and Edward Norton.
However, the movie’s director has revealed that he has not watched it for two decades. “I haven’t seen it in 20 years,” he said in a recent interview with GQ. He also shared that he has no desire to do so, saying, “And I don’t want to.” Further in the interview, he also explained the reason for doing so.
Why David Fincher Avoids Watching His Cult Classic Film?
Talking about his cult classic thriller drama Fight Club, David Fincher also stated the reason he has not watched it in so long. The filmmaker answered in a somewhat ambivalent “No— yes” when asked if he avoids watching his old movies. “No— yes. It’s like looking at your grade school pictures or something. ‘Yeah, I was there,'” he said.
The reason for avoiding looking back at his work seems implicit in the conversation. While he acknowledges the nostalgic element of his work, it seems that the filmmaker doesn’t necessarily find it enjoyable, as he also talked about the shift in his interests during the interview.
His last film, titled Mank, was a biographical drama, while his latest film starring Michael Fassbender is a neo-noir action thriller. “I’ve always liked B-movies,” he said before adding, “And Fight Club to Panic Room, what’s that about? I don’t know. It’s kind of where your interests take you.”
Artists often have mixed feelings about their previous work as their skills and creative interests evolve over time. And it could be the same for Fincher as well, making his older work less appealing for the Oscar-nominated director.
Fight Club is available on Prime Video.
The Killer is playing in theatres.
