David Fincher Hasn't Watched His Film FIGHT CLUB in 20 Years and He Doesn't Want To
David Fincher is one of my favorite directors because he’s so meticulous in his filmmaking and storytelling. Some of his films include Se7en, Zodiac, The Social Network, and Gone Girl. But, one of his most beloved projects is the 1999 movie Fight Club with Brad Pitt and Edward Norton.
Fight Club is an adaptation of Chuck Palahniuk's novel of the same name, and it’s a film Fincher hasn’t revisited in 20 years. The director recently spoke with GQ to talk about his upcoming movie The Killer, and he explained that he has no plans to watch Fight Club again.
He said: "I haven't seen it in 20 years, and I don't want to." When asked if he has an aversion to watching his old films, Fincher replied, "No- yes. It's like looking at your grade school pictures, or something. 'Yeah, I was there.'"
I kind of get that, but at the same time, it might be worth it for him to rewatch. It’s interesting because I don’t go back and read many of my old articles or reviews often. But when I have, depending on the article, two things happen. One, I realize how much I’ve matured as a writer because some of that earlier stuff is so juvenile. Two, some of the things I read from the past inspire me. There are elements of my writing that I’ve also lost and reading some old articles reminds me of things that I’d want to incorporate again.
Fight Club is a great film, though, and if Fincher isn’t going to ever rewatch it, there are plenty of other fans who will continue to revisit the movie. He should revisit it! He might actually be impressed by himself.
The movie delves into the psychological complexities of its unnamed protagonist, played by Norton, who is discontented with his mundane corporate life. In seeking an escape, he befriends a charismatic soap salesman named Tyler Durden, played by Pitt. Together, they start an underground fight club as a radical form of male therapy and rebellion against consumerist society. However, as their antics escalate, the protagonist begins to unravel the darker truths about himself, Tyler, and the nature of the fight club.