View source for David Fincher

{{Short description|American director and producer (born 1962)}}
{{redirect|Fincher|other uses|Fincher (surname)}}
{{good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = David Fincher
| image              = TheKillerBFILFF051023 (8 of 22) (53255176376) (cropped2).jpg
| caption            = Fincher in 2023
| birth_name         = <!--Only if different from name.-->
| birth_date         = {{Birth date and age|1962|8|28}}
| birth_place        = [[Denver]], Colorado, U.S.
| death_date         = 
| death_place        = 
| occupation         = Director, producer 
| years_active       = 1980–present
| works              = [[David Fincher filmography|Filmography]]
| awards             = [[List of awards and nominations received by David Fincher|Full list]]
| spouse             = {{plainlist|
* {{marriage|Donya Fiorentino<br>|1990|1995|reason=divorced}}
* {{marriage|[[Ceán Chaffin]]<br>|1996}}
}}
| children           = 1
| relatives          = [[Jack Fincher (screenwriter)|Jack Fincher]] (father)
}}

'''David Andrew Leo Fincher''' (born August 28, 1962) is an American director and producer. Often described as one of the pre-eminent directors of his generation,{{efn|1=Attributed to multiple sources.<ref name="Guardian">{{Cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2012/sep/01/best-film-directors-world-2012 |title=The 23 best film directors in the world today |first1=Ali |last1=Catterall |first2=Charlie |last2=Lyne |first3=Gwilym |last3=Mumford |first4=Damon |last4=Wise |date=August 31, 2012 |website=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=January 2, 2013 |archive-date=October 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026194355/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2012/sep/01/best-film-directors-world-2012 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="theguardian.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/features/page/0,11456,1082823,00.html|title=40 best directors {{!}} Features {{!}} guardian.co.uk Film|website=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=January 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190629200059/https://www.theguardian.com/film/features/page/0,11456,1082823,00.html|archive-date=June 29, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="EW">{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.firstshowing.net/2011/entertainment-weeklys-list-of-the-25-greatest-working-directors/|title=25 Greatest Working Directors|last1=Stack|first1=Tom|date=February 22, 2011|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|access-date=February 26, 2011|archive-date=August 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829204325/http://www.firstshowing.net/2011/entertainment-weeklys-list-of-the-25-greatest-working-directors/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bean |first=Travis |title=Every David Fincher Movie, Ranked And In Order |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/entertainment/article/david-fincher-movies/ |access-date=2025-02-18 |website=[[Forbes]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Fear |first=David |date=2021-01-12 |title=David Fincher: The Rolling Stone Interview |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-features/david-fincher-rolling-stone-interview-1096204/ |access-date=2025-02-18 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hassenger |first=Jesse |date=2025-03-07 |title=The Best David Fincher Movies, Definitively Ranked |url=https://www.gq.com/story/the-best-david-fincher-movies-definitively-ranked |access-date=2025-03-07 |website=[[GQ]] |language=en-US}}</ref>}} [[David Fincher filmography|his films]] have collectively grossed over $2.1 billion worldwide and received [[List of awards and nominations received by David Fincher|numerous accolades]], including three nominations for the [[Academy Award for Best Director]]. He has also received four [[Primetime Emmy Awards]], two [[Grammy Awards]], a [[British Academy Film Awards|BAFTA Award]], and a [[Golden Globe Awards|Golden Globe]].

Fincher co-founded the production company [[Propaganda Films]] in 1986. He directed numerous music videos for the company, including [[Madonna]]'s "[[Express Yourself (Madonna song)|Express Yourself]]" in 1989 and "[[Vogue (Madonna song)|Vogue]]" in 1990, both of which won him the [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Direction]]. He received two [[Grammy Award for Best Music Video|Grammy Awards for Best Music Video]] for "[[Love Is Strong]]" (1994) by [[the Rolling Stones]] and "[[Suit & Tie]]" (2013) by [[Justin Timberlake]] featuring [[Jay-Z]].

He made his feature film debut with ''[[Alien 3]]'' (1992) and gained his breakthrough with ''[[Seven (1995 film)|Seven]]'' (1995). He has since directed ''[[The Game (1997 film)|The Game]]'' (1997), ''[[Fight Club]]'' (1999), ''[[Panic Room]]'' (2002), ''[[Zodiac (film)|Zodiac]]'' (2007), ''[[The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (film)|The Curious Case of Benjamin Button]]'' (2008), ''[[The Social Network]]'' (2010), ''[[The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011 film)|The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo]]'' (2011), ''[[Gone Girl (film)|Gone Girl]]'' (2014), ''[[Mank]]'' (2020), ''[[The Killer (2023 film)|The Killer]]'' (2023), and ''[[The Adventures of Cliff Booth]]'' (2026). He received nominations for the Academy Award for Best Director for the dramas ''The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'', ''The Social Network'', and ''Mank''.

In television, Fincher has served as an executive producer and director for the [[Netflix]] series ''[[House of Cards (American TV series)|House of Cards]]'' (2013–2018) and ''[[Mindhunter (TV series)|Mindhunter]]'' (2017–2019), winning the [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series]] for the [[Chapter 1 (House of Cards)|pilot episode]] of the former. He also executive produced and co-created the Netflix animated series ''[[Love, Death & Robots]]'' (2019–present) which received three [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Short Form Animated Program|Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Short Form Animated Program]].

==Early life and education==
David Andrew Leo Fincher<ref name="REW">{{Cite news|title=The Membership > Obituaries: Howard Kely "Jack" Fincher|publisher=Wolfensberger: Newsletter of the Wolfensberger Family Association|date=May 2003|volume=9|issue=2|page=3|url=http://www.wolfensberger.org/pages/NL_BKUP/WFA_NL/2003May.pdf|access-date=November 4, 2010|archive-date=November 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161118205924/http://www.wolfensberger.org/pages/NL_BKUP/WFA_NL/2003May.pdf|url-status=live|quote=He is survived by ... and David Andrew Leo Fincher. David Fincher is a Hollywood motion picture director...}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/boxingandmma/3918373/Forrest-Griffin-to-show-his-police-brutality.html |website=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |location=London |title=Forrest Griffin to show his police brutality |first=Gareth A |last=Davies |date=December 23, 2008 |access-date=May 1, 2010|archive-date=September 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150911133804/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/boxing/3918373/Forrest-Griffin-to-show-his-police-brutality.html|url-status=dead|quote=...David Leo Fincher, the American film director and music video director...}}</ref> was born in [[Denver]] on August 28, 1962.<ref name="biography.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.biography.com/people/david-fincher-411094|title=David Fincher: Director (1962–)|publisher=[[Biography.com]] ([[FYI (TV network)|FYI]] / [[A&E Networks]])|access-date=August 25, 2017|archive-date=September 16, 2014|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140916082034/http://www.biography.com/people/david-fincher-411094|url-status=dead}}</ref> His mother, Claire Mae ({{née|Boettcher}}), was a mental health nurse from [[South Dakota]] who worked in drug addiction programs. His father, [[Jack Fincher (screenwriter)|Howard Kelly "Jack" Fincher]] (1930–2003), was an author from [[Oklahoma]] who worked as a reporter and bureau chief for [[Life (magazine)|''Life'']] magazine.<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=http://www.ew.com/article/1997/09/19/david-fincher-gets-back-game |title=David Fincher gets back in 'The Game' |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=September 19, 1997 |first=David |last=Hochman |access-date=October 11, 2014 |archive-date=April 21, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090421162703/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C289517%2C00.html |url-status=live}} (Archived article on two pages headlined "Game Boy")</ref><ref name="playboy2014">{{Cite web |url=http://www.playboy.com/articles/playboy-interview-david-fincher |title=Playboy Interview: David Fincher |website=[[Playboy (magazine)|Playboy]] |date=September 16, 2014 |first=Stephen |last=Rebello |access-date=October 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150829153003/http://www.playboy.com/articles/playboy-interview-david-fincher |archive-date=August 29, 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Swallow |first=James |title=Dark Eye: The Films of David Fincher |chapter=Dark and Light |year=2003 |publisher=Reynolds & Hearn |isbn=978-1-903111-52-9 |page=11}}</ref> When Fincher was two years old, the family moved to [[San Anselmo, California]], where he counted filmmaker [[George Lucas]] among his neighbors.<ref name="playboy2014"/> He became fascinated with filmmaking at the age of eight and began making films on an [[8mm film|8mm camera]].<ref name="biography.com"/><ref name="playboy2014"/> In a 2012 interview, he said:

{{cquote|I was eight years old and I saw a documentary on the making of ''[[Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid]]''. It had never occurred to me that movies didn't take place in real time. I knew that they were fake, I knew that the people were acting, but it had never occurred to me that it could take [...] four months to make a movie! It showed the entire company with all these rental horses and moving trailers to shoot a scene on top of a train. They would hire somebody who looked like [[Robert Redford]] to jump onto the train. It never occurred to me that there were hours between each of these shots. The actual circus of it was invisible, as it should be, but in seeing that I became obsessed with the idea of "How?" It was the ultimate magic trick. The notion that [[24 fps|24 still photographs]] are shown in such quick succession that movement is imparted from it{{emdash}}wow! And I thought that there would never be anything that would be as interesting as that to do with the rest of my life.<ref name=":8"/>}}

As a teenager, Fincher moved to [[Ashland, Oregon]], where he attended [[Ashland High School (Oregon)|Ashland High School]]. He directed plays and designed sets and lighting after school, was a non-union projectionist at Varsity Theatre, and worked as a production assistant at the [[KOBI (TV)|KOBI]] news station in [[Medford, Oregon|Medford]]. He supported himself by working as a busboy, dishwasher, and fry cook.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://guru.bafta.org/david-fincher-a-life-in-pictures |title=David Fincher: A Life in Pictures |publisher=[[BAFTA]] |date=September 19, 2014 |access-date=August 17, 2015 |archive-date=August 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813010645/http://guru.bafta.org/david-fincher-a-life-in-pictures |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Career==
===1983–1991: Early work===
While establishing himself in the film industry, Fincher was employed at [[John Korty]]'s studio as a production head. Gaining further experience, he became a visual effects producer, working on the animated ''[[Twice Upon a Time (1983 film)|Twice Upon a Time]]'' (1983) with Lucas.<ref name="playboy2014"/><ref>{{Cite web|title=George Lucas-Exec Produced Twice Upon a Time Coming to DVD |website=IGN|author-first1=Anthony|author-last1=Couto|date=March 2, 2015|url=https://uk.ign.com/articles/2015/03/02/george-lucas-exec-produced-twice-upon-a-time-coming-to-dvd|language=en|access-date=January 10, 2020|archive-date=November 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114150234/https://www.ign.com/articles/2015/03/02/george-lucas-exec-produced-twice-upon-a-time-coming-to-dvd|url-status=live}}</ref> He was hired by [[Industrial Light & Magic]] (ILM) in 1983 as an assistant cameraman and [[Matte (filmmaking)|matte]] photographer<ref name="playboy2014"/> and worked on ''[[Return of the Jedi]]'' (1983) and ''[[Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom]]'' (1984).<ref name="independent2011">{{Cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/david-fincher-awards-are-just-icing-on-the-cake-1520062.html |title=David Fincher: "Awards are just icing on the cake" |newspaper=The Independent |date=February 1, 2009 |first=James |last=Mottram |access-date=October 11, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028131323/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/david-fincher-awards-are-just-icing-on-the-cake-1520062.html |archive-date=October 28, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 1984, he left ILM to direct a television commercial for the [[American Cancer Society]] that depicted a fetus smoking a cigarette.<ref name="playboy2014"/>

This quickly brought Fincher to the attention of producers in Los Angeles, and he was soon given the opportunity to direct [[Rick Springfield]]'s 1985 documentary, ''To The Beat of the Live Drum''.<ref name="ColliderVideos">{{Cite web|last1=Goldberg|first1=Matt|title=The Work of David Fincher: Introduction, Commercials, Music Videos, and 'The Beat of the Live Drum'|url=https://collider.com/david-fincher-music-videos/|website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]|access-date=August 27, 2016|date=September 21, 2014|archive-date=August 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818133837/http://collider.com/david-fincher-music-videos/|url-status=live}}</ref> Set on a directing career, Fincher co-founded production company [[Propaganda Films]] and started directing commercials and music videos.<ref name="ColliderVideos"/> Other directors such as [[Dominic Sena]], [[Michael Bay]], [[Antoine Fuqua]], [[Michel Gondry]], [[Spike Jonze]], [[Alex Proyas]], [[Paul Rachman]], [[Mark Romanek]], [[Zack Snyder]] and [[Gore Verbinski]] also honed their skills at Propaganda Films before moving on to feature films.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Hyman|first1=Nick|title=Ranked: Music Video Directors Turned Film Directors|url=https://www.metacritic.com/feature/music-video-directors-turned-film-directors|publisher=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=August 27, 2016|date=August 31, 2010|archive-date=January 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170112191651/http://www.metacritic.com/feature/music-video-directors-turned-film-directors|url-status=live}}</ref>

Fincher directed TV commercials for many companies including [[Levi Strauss & Co.|Levi's]], [[Converse (brand)|Converse]], [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]], [[Pepsi]], [[Revlon]], [[Sony]], [[Coca-Cola]] and [[Chanel]], although he loathed doing them.<ref name="playboy2014"/><ref name=":13">{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/2011/11/ff_fincher/|title=Director David Fincher Takes On The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo|last=Raftery|first=Brian|date=November 22, 2011|magazine=Wired|access-date=January 16, 2020|issue=12|volume=19|language=en-US|issn=1059-1028|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170316161303/https://www.wired.com/2011/11/ff_fincher/|archive-date=March 16, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Starting in 1984, Fincher began his foray into music videos. He directed videos for various artists including singer-songwriters Springfield, [[Don Henley]], [[Martha Davis (musician)|Martha Davis]], [[Paula Abdul]], rock band [[The Outfield]], and R&B singer [[Jermaine Stewart]].<ref name=":19"/> Fincher's 1990 music video for "[[Freedom! '90]]" was one of the most successful for [[George Michael]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allure.com/story/25th-anniversary-george-michael-freedom-video|title=After George Michael's Death, a Look Back at His Most Iconic Moment|last=Rogers|first=Patrick|website=Allure|date=July 25, 2015|language=en|access-date=March 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200302222721/https://www.allure.com/story/25th-anniversary-george-michael-freedom-video|archive-date=March 2, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

He directed [[Michael Jackson]]'s "[[Who Is It (Michael Jackson song)|Who Is It]]", [[Aerosmith]]'s "[[Janie's Got a Gun]]" and [[Billy Idol]]'s "[[Cradle of Love (Billy Idol song)|Cradle of Love]]". For [[Madonna]], he directed the videos for "[[Express Yourself (Madonna song)|Express Yourself]]", "[[Oh Father]]", "[[Bad Girl (Madonna song)|Bad Girl]]" and "[[Vogue (Madonna song)|Vogue]]".<ref name="ColliderVideos"/> The [[black-and-white]] video for "Vogue" took inspiration from the films of the 1920s and 1930s and has been frequently cited as one of the best videos of all time.<ref>{{Cite magazine |author1=''Rolling Stone'' staff |title=The 100 Greatest Music Videos |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-music-videos-1194411/beyonce-formation-5-1195750/ |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |access-date=September 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230828033657/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-music-videos-1194411/ |archive-date=August 28, 2023 |date=July 30, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> Between 1984 and 1993, Fincher was credited as a director for 53 music videos.<ref name=":19">{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2014/09/best-to-worst-david-finchers-complete-music-videography-ranked-271812/|title=Best To Worst: David Fincher's Complete Music Videography Ranked|last=Kiang|first=Jessica|date=September 29, 2014|website=[[IndieWire]]|language=en|access-date=January 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410124539/https://www.indiewire.com/2014/09/best-to-worst-david-finchers-complete-music-videography-ranked-271812/|archive-date=April 10, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> He referred to the production of music videos as his own "film school", in which he learned how to work efficiently within a small budget and time frame.<ref name="Kein Schnitt zu viel">{{Cite journal |last1=Sarreiter |first1=Benedikt |title=Kein Schnitt zu viel |journal=Du |date=February 2019 |language=de |issue=889 |page=14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Knapp |first1=Laurence F. |title=David Fincher: Interviews |date=2014 |publisher=[[University Press of Mississippi]] |location=Jackson, Mississippi |isbn=9781626741928 |page=95 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=of0aBwAAQBAJ |access-date=February 6, 2019 |language=en |archive-date=November 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114150110/https://books.google.com/books?id=of0aBwAAQBAJ |url-status=live}}</ref>

===1992–2000: Breakthrough===
In 1990, [[20th Century Studios|20th Century Fox]] hired Fincher to replace [[Vincent Ward (director)|Vincent Ward]] as the director for the [[Science fiction|science-fiction]] horror ''[[Alien 3]]'' (1992), his film directorial debut.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Pearce |first=Garth |date=1991 |title=Alien3: Set Visit To A Troubled Sequel |magazine=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]] |url=https://www.empireonline.com/interviews/interview.asp?IID=1102 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703222946/http://www.empireonline.com/interviews/interview.asp?IID=1102 |archive-date=July 3, 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> It was the third installment in the [[Alien (franchise)|''Alien'' franchise]] starring [[Sigourney Weaver]]. The film was released in May 1992 to a mixed reception from critics and was considered weaker than the preceding films.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Alien3 (1992)|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/alien3/|publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|date=May 22, 1992 |access-date=August 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011050729/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/alien3/|archive-date=October 11, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> From the beginning, ''Alien 3'' was hampered by studio intervention and several abandoned scripts.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/joshweiss/2019/06/03/alien-3-crew-member-compares-david-finchers-original-vision-to-edgar-allen-poe/|title='Alien 3' Crew Member Compares David Fincher's Original Vision To Edgar Allan Poe|last=Weiss|first=Josh|website=[[Forbes]]|language=en|access-date=March 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327155136/https://www.forbes.com/sites/joshweiss/2019/06/03/alien-3-crew-member-compares-david-finchers-original-vision-to-edgar-allen-poe/|archive-date=March 27, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=November 18, 2014|title=What Went Wrong With Alien 3, According To Tywin Lannister|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/new/What-Went-Wrong-With-Alien-3-According-Tywin-Lannister-68286.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327155134/https://www.cinemablend.com/new/What-Went-Wrong-With-Alien-3-According-Tywin-Lannister-68286.html|archive-date=March 27, 2020|access-date=March 27, 2020|website=Cinemablend}}</ref> [[Peter Travers]] of the ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' called the film "bold and haunting", despite the "struggle of nine writers" and "studio interference".<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-reviews/alien-3-103327/|title=Alien 3|last=Travers|first=Peter|date=September 9, 1992|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US|access-date=January 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190506194541/https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-reviews/alien-3-103327/|archive-date=May 6, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

The film received an [[Academy Awards|Academy Award]] nomination for [[Academy Award for Best Visual Effects|Best Visual Effects]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=The 65th Academy Awards (1993) Nominees and Winners|date=October 4, 2014 |url=http://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1993|publisher=[[Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences]] (AMPAS)|access-date=August 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402004418/http://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1993|archive-date=April 2, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Years later, Fincher publicly expressed his dismay and subsequently disowned the film. In the book ''Director's Cut: Picturing Hollywood in the 21st Century'', Fincher blames the producers for their lack of trust in him.<ref>{{Cite book |first=Stephan |last=Littger |title=Director's Cut: Picturing Hollywood in the 21st Century |publisher=[[Bloomsbury Academic]] |location=London, England |isbn=978-0826419026 |date=2006 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/directorscutpict0000unse}}</ref> In an interview with ''[[The Guardian]]'' in 2009, he stated, "No one hated it more than me; to this day, no one hates it more than me."<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Salisbury|first1=Mark|last2=Fincher|first2=David|title=Transcript of the Guardian interview with David Fincher at BFI Southbank|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2009/feb/03/david-fincher-interview-transcript|website=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=August 27, 2016|date=January 18, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160922204519/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2009/feb/03/david-fincher-interview-transcript|archive-date=September 22, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

After this critical disappointment, Fincher eschewed reading film scripts or directing another project.<ref name="Taubin">{{Cite news |last=Taubin |first=Amy |title=The Allure of Decay |website=[[Sight and Sound]] |page=24 |date=January 1996}}</ref> He briefly retreated to directing commercials and music videos, including the video for the song "[[Love Is Strong]]" by [[The Rolling Stones]] in 1994, which won the [[Grammy Award for Best Music Video]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Trenholm|first=Richard|title=David Fincher returns to his Vogue-ing video days in new comedy|url=https://www.cnet.com/uk/news/david-fincher-returns-to-his-vogue-ing-video-days-in-new-comedy/|publisher=[[CNET]]|access-date=August 27, 2016|date=May 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920125425/http://www.cnet.com/uk/news/david-fincher-returns-to-his-vogue-ing-video-days-in-new-comedy/|archive-date=September 20, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Shortly, Fincher decided to make a foray back into film. He read [[Andrew Kevin Walker]]'s original screenplay for ''[[Seven (1995 film)|Seven]]'' (1995), which had been revised by [[Jeremiah S. Chechik]], the director attached to the project at one point. Fincher expressed no interest in directing the revised version, so [[New Line Cinema]] agreed to keep the original ending.<ref name="Taubin"/><ref>{{Cite web|last1=Couch|first1=Aaron|title='Seven' Screenwriter on How a Mix-Up With David Fincher Led to Its Gutsy Ending|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/se7en-screenwriter-how-a-mixup-david-fincher-led-gutsy-ending-963957|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|access-date=March 23, 2018|date=January 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324041244/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/se7en-screenwriter-how-a-mixup-david-fincher-led-gutsy-ending-963957|archive-date=March 24, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Starring [[Brad Pitt]], [[Morgan Freeman]], [[Gwyneth Paltrow]], [[R. Lee Ermey]], and [[Kevin Spacey]], it tells the story of two detectives who attempt to identify a [[serial killer]] who bases his murders on the [[Christianity|Christian]] [[seven deadly sins]].<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Turan|first1=Kenneth|title='Seven' Offers a Punishing Look at Some Deadly Sins|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-09-22-ca-48658-story.html|website=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=March 23, 2018|date=September 22, 1995|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171208014027/http://articles.latimes.com/1995-09-22/entertainment/ca-48658_1_deadly-sins|archive-date=December 8, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Seven'' was positively received by film critics and was one of the highest-earning films of 1995, grossing more than $320 million worldwide.<ref name=":22">{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=seven.htm|title=''Seven''|date=1995|website=[[Box Office Mojo]]|access-date=September 14, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150830115239/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=seven.htm|archive-date=August 30, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Writing for ''[[Sight and Sound]]'', John Wrathall said it "stands as the most complex and disturbing entry in the serial killer genre since ''[[Manhunter (film)|Manhunter]]''" and [[Roger Ebert]] opined that ''Seven'' is "one of the darkest and most merciless films ever made in the Hollywood mainstream."<ref name="Wrathall">{{Cite news |last=Wrathall |first=John |title=''Seven'' |website=[[Sight and Sound]] |page=50 |date=January 1996}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last1=Ebert|first1=Roger|author-link1=Roger Ebert|title=Seven (1995)|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-seven-1995|website=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|access-date=March 12, 2018|date=July 18, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180313093538/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-seven-1995|archive-date=March 13, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

Following ''Seven'', Fincher directed a music video for "[[6th Avenue Heartache]]" by [[The Wallflowers]]<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Puchko|first1=Kristy|title=28 David Fincher Music Videos, Ranked|url=https://www.vulture.com/2014/10/david-fincher-music-videos-ranked.html|website=[[Vulture (magazine)|Vulture]]|access-date=March 25, 2018|date=October 6, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180325232125/http://www.vulture.com/2014/10/david-fincher-music-videos-ranked.html|archive-date=March 25, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> and went on to direct his third feature film, the mystery thriller ''[[The Game (1997 film)|The Game]]'' (1997), written by the duo [[John Brancato and Michael Ferris]].<ref name="The Game">{{Cite web|last1=McCarthy|first1=Todd|author-link1=Todd McCarthy|title=The Game|url=https://variety.com/1997/film/reviews/the-game-3-1117341147/|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date=March 25, 2018|date=September 5, 1997|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180325171257/http://variety.com/1997/film/reviews/the-game-3-1117341147/|archive-date=March 25, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Fincher also hired ''Seven'' screenwriter Walker to contribute and polish the script.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Salisbury|first1=Mark|title=Butcher my script and I'm outta here|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/1999/apr/09/features|website=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=March 23, 2018|date=April 9, 1999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324041149/https://www.theguardian.com/film/1999/apr/09/features|archive-date=March 24, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Filmed on location in San Francisco, the story follows an investment banker, played by [[Michael Douglas]], who receives an unusual gift from his younger brother ([[Sean Penn]]), where he becomes involved in a "game" that integrates with his everyday life, making him unable to differentiate between game and reality.<ref name="The Game"/> Almar Haflidason of the [[BBC]] was critical of the ending, but praised the visuals—"Fincher does a marvelous job of turning ordinary city locations into frightening backdrops, where every corner turned is another step into the unknown".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2001/03/02/the_game_1997_review.shtml|title=BBC – Films – review – The Game|website=www.bbc.co.uk|access-date=April 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200213031334/http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2001/03/02/the_game_1997_review.shtml|archive-date=February 13, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Upon ''The Game''{{'}}s release in September 1997, the film received generally favorable reviews but performed moderately at the box office.<ref name=":20">{{Cite web|title=The Game Reviews|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-game|publisher=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=March 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509113454/http://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-game|archive-date=May 9, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> ''The Game'' was later included in the [[The Criterion Collection|Criterion Collection]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.criterion.com/films/28058-the-game|title=The Game|publisher=[[The Criterion Collection]]|language=en|access-date=January 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191119060255/https://www.criterion.com/films/28058-the-game|archive-date=November 19, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

In August 1997, Fincher agreed to direct ''[[Fight Club]]'', based on the 1996 [[Fight Club (novel)|novel of the same name]] by [[Chuck Palahniuk]]. It was his second film with 20th Century Fox after the troubled production of ''Alien 3''.<ref>{{Cite magazine|first=Michael |last=Fleming |url=https://variety.com/1997/voices/columns/thornton-holds-reins-of-horses-1116678264/ |title=Thornton holds reins of 'Horses' |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=August 19, 1997 |access-date=March 23, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011203539/http://variety.com/article/VR1116678264.html?categoryid=3&cs=1 |archive-date=October 11, 2007}}</ref> Starring Pitt, [[Edward Norton]] and [[Helena Bonham Carter]], the film is about a nameless office worker suffering from insomnia, who meets a salesman, and together form an underground fighting club as a form of therapy. Fox struggled with the marketing of the film, and were concerned that it would have a limited audience.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Rebels on the backlot : six maverick directors and how they conquered the Hollywood studio system|last=Waxman, Sharon|date=2005|publisher=[[HarperCollins|HarperEntertainment]]|isbn=0-06-054017-6|edition=1st|location=New York|pages=[https://archive.org/details/rebelsonbacklots00waxm/page/253 253–273]|oclc=56617315|url=https://archive.org/details/rebelsonbacklots00waxm/page/253}}</ref> ''Fight Club'' premiered on October 15, 1999, in the United States to a polarized response and modest box office success; the film grossed $100.9 million against a budget of $63 million.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0137523/?ref_=bo_se_r_1|title=Fight Club|website=[[Box Office Mojo]]|access-date=January 10, 2020|archive-date=November 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114150200/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0137523/?ref_=bo_se_r_1|url-status=live}}</ref> Initially, many critics thought the film was "a violent and dangerous express train of masochism and aggression."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2000/11/14/fight_club_1999_review.shtml|title=BBC – Films – review – Fight Club|website=www.bbc.co.uk|access-date=January 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190324041025/http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2000/11/14/fight_club_1999_review.shtml|archive-date=March 24, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> However, in following years, ''Fight Club'' became a cult favorite and gained acknowledgement for its multilayered themes; the film has been the source of [[Interpretations of Fight Club|critical analysis from academics and film critics]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bfi.org.uk/news-opinion/news-bfi/features/fight-club-david-fincher-edward-norton-brad-pitt|title=The American dream unravelled: 20 years of Fight Club|website=British Film Institute|language=en|access-date=January 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191016145111/https://www.bfi.org.uk/news-opinion/news-bfi/features/fight-club-david-fincher-edward-norton-brad-pitt|archive-date=October 16, 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Murray|first=Brian|date=March 1, 2019|title=Fight Club: A Cult Movie at 20|url=https://www.lawliberty.org/2019/03/01/fight-club-a-cult-movie-at-20/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326090645/https://www.lawliberty.org/2019/03/01/fight-club-a-cult-movie-at-20/|archive-date=March 26, 2019|access-date=January 10, 2020|website=Law & Liberty|language=en-US}}</ref>

===2001–2010: Continued success===
[[File:Jesse Eisenberg - David Fincher - The Social Network - 2010 New York Film Festival - 01.jpg|alt=Eisenberg and Fincher at the 2010 New York Film Festival|thumb|[[Jesse Eisenberg]] and Fincher at the 2010 [[New York Film Festival]]]]

In 2001, Fincher served as an executive producer for the first season of ''[[The Hire]]'', a series of short films to promote [[BMW]] automobiles. The films were released on the internet in 2001.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2016/09/clive-owen-the-driver-bmw-films-neill-blomkamp-short-film-the-escape-1201728682/|title=Clive Owen Returns as 'The Driver' in Neill Blomkamp's Short Film 'The Escape' – Watch Trailer|last=Calvario|first=Liz|date=September 20, 2016|website=[[IndieWire]]|language=en|access-date=January 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411160407/https://www.indiewire.com/2016/09/clive-owen-the-driver-bmw-films-neill-blomkamp-short-film-the-escape-1201728682/|archive-date=April 11, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Next in 2002, Fincher returned with another feature film, a thriller titled ''[[Panic Room]]''. The story follows a single mother and her daughter who hide in a safe room of their new home, during a [[home invasion]] by a trio. Starring [[Jodie Foster]] (who replaced [[Nicole Kidman]]), [[Forest Whitaker]], [[Kristen Stewart]], [[Dwight Yoakam]], and [[Jared Leto]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=110382&page=1|title=Kidman Injury Jars Panic Shoot|website=ABC News|language=en|access-date=March 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180923162800/https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=110382&page=1|archive-date=September 23, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> it was theatrically released on March 29, 2002, after a month delay, to critical acclaim and commercial success.<ref name=":23">{{Cite web|title=Panic Room (2002)|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/panic_room|publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|date=March 29, 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171127045610/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/panic_room/|language=en|access-date=January 10, 2020|archive-date=November 27, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

In North America, the film earned $96.4 million. In other countries, it grossed $100 million for a worldwide $196.4 million.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0258000/?ref_=bo_se_r_1|title=Panic Room|website=[[Box Office Mojo]]|access-date=January 10, 2020|archive-date=November 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114150129/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0258000/?ref_=bo_se_r_1|url-status=live}}</ref> Mick LaSalle of the ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'' praised the filmmakers for their "fair degree of ingenuity ... for 88 minutes of excitement" and the convincing performance given by Foster.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/Panic-attack-Foster-at-her-best-in-mindless-2860032.php|title='Panic' attack / Foster at her best in mindless, exciting thriller|last=LaSalle|first=Mick|date=March 29, 2002|website=SFGate|access-date=January 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817120850/https://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/Panic-attack-Foster-at-her-best-in-mindless-2860032.php|archive-date=August 17, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Fincher acknowledged ''Panic Room'' for being more mainstream, describing the film, "It's supposed to be a popcorn movie—there are no great, overriding implications. It's just about survival."<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-reviews/panic-room-255632/|title=Panic Room|last=Travers|first=Peter|date=March 29, 2002|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US|access-date=January 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180813175445/https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-reviews/panic-room-255632/|archive-date=August 13, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

Five years after ''Panic Room'', Fincher returned on March 2, 2007, with ''[[Zodiac (film)|Zodiac]]'', a thriller based on [[Robert Graysmith]]'s [[Zodiac (true crime book)|books]] about the search for the [[Zodiac Killer]], a real life serial murderer who terrorized communities between the late 1960s and early 1970s.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Johnson |first=G. Allen |title=CHASING ZODIAC / Film crew has San Francisco time-traveling to '70s |url=https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/CHASING-ZODIAC-Film-crew-has-San-Francisco-2603686.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216030855/https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/CHASING-ZODIAC-Film-crew-has-San-Francisco-2603686.php |archive-date=December 16, 2018 |access-date=2024-03-06 |website=SFGATE |language=en}}</ref> Fincher first learned of the project after being approached by producer [[Bradley J. Fischer]]; he was intrigued by the story due to his childhood personal experience. "The highway patrol had been following our school buses", he recalled. His father told him, "There's a serial killer who has killed four or five people ... who's threatened to ... shoot the children as they come off the bus."<ref name=":6">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/18/movies/18halb.html|title=David Fincher – Zodiac – Movies|last=Halbfinger|first=David M.|date=February 18, 2007|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=January 10, 2020|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190611122441/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/18/movies/18halb.html|archive-date=June 11, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

After extensive research on the case with fellow producers, Fincher formed a principal cast of [[Jake Gyllenhaal]], [[Mark Ruffalo]], [[Robert Downey Jr.]], [[Anthony Edwards (actor)|Anthony Edwards]] and [[Brian Cox (actor)|Brian Cox]]. It was the first of Fincher's films to be shot in [[Digital cinematography|digital]], with a [[Thomson Viper FilmStream Camera|Thomson Viper FilmStream]] [[High-definition video|HD]] [[Digital cinematography cameras|camera]]. However, high-speed film cameras were used for particular murder scenes.<ref>Zodiac Director's Cut DVD, 2nd Disc, Visual Effects featurette.</ref> ''Zodiac'' was well received, appearing in more than two hundred top ten lists (only ''[[No Country for Old Men (film)|No Country for Old Men]]'' and ''[[There Will Be Blood]]'' appeared in more).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://criticstop10.com/best-of-2007/|title=Best of 2007|website=CriticsTop10|date=May 2009 |language=en-US|access-date=January 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826064034/https://criticstop10.com/best-of-2007/|archive-date=August 26, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> However, the film struggled at the United States box office, earning $33 million, but did better overseas with a gross of $51.7 million.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0443706/?ref_=bo_se_r_1|title=Zodiac|website=[[Box Office Mojo]]|access-date=January 10, 2020|archive-date=November 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114150138/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0443706/?ref_=bo_se_r_1|url-status=live}}</ref> Worldwide, ''Zodiac'' was a moderate success.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.boxofficereport.com/ybon/2007gross.shtml |title=2007 Box Office |website=Box Office Report |date=January 6, 2009 |access-date=September 23, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090831100554/http://www.boxofficereport.com/ybon/2007gross.shtml |archive-date=August 31, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Despite a campaign by [[Paramount Pictures]], the film did not receive any major award nominations.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Horn|first=John|date=January 5, 2008|title=A new sign of the 'Zodiac'|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-jan-05-et-zodiac5-story.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610170349/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-jan-05-et-zodiac5-story.html|archive-date=June 10, 2020|access-date=July 8, 2020|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2008, Fincher was attached to a film adaptation of the science-fiction novel, ''[[Rendezvous with Rama]]'' by [[Arthur C. Clarke]], however, Fincher said the film is unlikely to go ahead due to problems with the script.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.firstshowing.net/2008/david-finchers-rendezvous-with-rama-officially-dead/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216031124/https://www.firstshowing.net/2008/david-finchers-rendezvous-with-rama-officially-dead/|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 16, 2018|title=David Fincher's Rendezvous with Rama Officially Dead {{!}} FirstShowing.net|date=December 16, 2018|access-date=January 8, 2020}}</ref> His next project was ''[[The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (film)|The Curious Case of Benjamin Button]]'' (2008), an adaptation of [[F. Scott Fitzgerald]]'s eponymous [[The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (short story)|1923 short story]], about a man who is born as a seventy-year-old baby and ages in reverse. The romantic-drama marked Fincher's third collaboration with Pitt, who stars opposite [[Cate Blanchett]]. The budget for the film was estimated to be $167 million, with very expensive visual effects utilized for Pitt's character.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/14593/ed-ulbrich-behind-the-extraordinary-visual-effects-of-benjamin-button|title=Ed Ulbrich: Behind the extraordinary visual effects of Benjamin Button|website=Den of Geek|date=July 7, 2009|language=en|access-date=January 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190912145655/https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/14593/ed-ulbrich-behind-the-extraordinary-visual-effects-of-benjamin-button|archive-date=September 12, 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Filming started in November 2006 in [[New Orleans]], taking advantage of Louisiana's film incentive.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/12/us/12incentives.html|title=States' Film Production Incentives Cause Jitters|last=Cieply|first=Michael|date=October 11, 2008|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=January 10, 2020|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191109151558/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/12/us/12incentives.html|archive-date=November 9, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The film was theatrically released on December 25, 2008, in the United States to a commercial success and warm reception.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0421715/?ref_=bo_se_r_1|title=The Curious Case of Benjamin Button|website=[[Box Office Mojo]]|access-date=January 10, 2020|archive-date=November 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114150134/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0421715/?ref_=bo_se_r_1|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":24">{{Cite web|title=The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/curious_case_of_benjamin_button|publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|date=December 25, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191227124755/https://rottentomatoes.com/m/curious_case_of_benjamin_button|language=en|access-date=January 10, 2020|archive-date=December 27, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Writing for the ''[[USA Today]]'', Claudia Puig praises the "graceful and poignant" tale despite it being "overlong and not as emotionally involving as it could be".<ref>{{Cite web|author-first1=Claudia|author-last1=Puig|url=https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/movies/reviews/2008-12-23-benjamin-button_N.htm|title=See 'Benjamin Button,' just don't try to guess his age – USATODAY.com|website=usatoday30.usatoday.com|access-date=January 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140829161128/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/movies/reviews/2008-12-23-benjamin-button_N.htm|archive-date=August 29, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> The film received thirteen Academy Award nominations, including [[Academy Award for Best Picture|Best Picture]], [[Academy Award for Best Director|Best Director]] for Fincher, [[Academy Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] for Pitt, and [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]] for [[Taraji P. Henson]], and won three, for [[Academy Award for Best Production Design|Best Art Direction]], [[Academy Award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling|Best Makeup]], and Best Visual Effects.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2009|title=The 81st Academy Awards {{!}} 2009|publisher=[[Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences|Oscars.org {{!}} Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences]]|date=October 7, 2014 |language=en|access-date=March 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161102115358/https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2009|archive-date=November 2, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

Fincher directed the 2010 film ''[[The Social Network]]'', a biographical drama about [[Facebook]] founder, [[Mark Zuckerberg]] and his legal battles. The screenplay was written by [[Aaron Sorkin]], who adapted it from the book ''[[The Accidental Billionaires]]'' by [[Ben Mezrich]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/confirmed-eisenberg-timberlake-and-garfield-cast-in-david-finchers-the-social-network/|title=Confirmed: Eisenberg, Timberlake and Garfield Cast in David Fincher's The Social Network|date=September 22, 2009|website=[[/Film|SlashFilm]]|language=en-US|access-date=March 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327155136/https://www.slashfilm.com/confirmed-eisenberg-timberlake-and-garfield-cast-in-david-finchers-the-social-network/|archive-date=March 27, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> It stars [[Jesse Eisenberg]] as Zuckerberg, with a supporting cast of [[Andrew Garfield]], [[Justin Timberlake]], [[Armie Hammer]] and [[Max Minghella]]. Principal photography started in October 2009 in [[Cambridge, Massachusetts]] and the film was released one year later.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/confirmed-eisenberg-timberlake-and-garfield-cast-in-david-finchers-the-social-network/|title=Casting Notes: Selena Gomez in Teen Rom Com; The Social Network Gets New Kids; The Whistleblower Gets Proven Talent|last=Fischer|first=Russ|date=October 20, 2009|website=[[/Film|SlashFilm]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091023031549/http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/10/20/casting-notes-selena-gomez-in-teen-rom-com-the-social-network-gets-new-kids-the-whistleblower-gets-proven-talent/|archive-date=October 23, 2009|access-date=March 27, 2020}}</ref> ''The Social Network'' was also a commercial success, earning $224.9 million worldwide.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt1285016/?ref_=bo_se_r_1|title=The Social Network|website=[[Box Office Mojo]]|access-date=January 10, 2020|archive-date=November 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114150139/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt1285016/?ref_=bo_se_r_1|url-status=live}}</ref> At the [[83rd Academy Awards]], the film received eight nominations and won three awards; soundtrack composers [[Trent Reznor]] and [[Atticus Ross]] won for [[Academy Award for Best Original Score|Best Original Score]], and the other two awards were for [[Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay|Best Adapted Screenplay]] and [[Academy Award for Best Film Editing|Best Film Editing]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.oscars.org/awards/academyawards/legacy/ceremony/83rd-winners.html|title=83rd Academy Awards Winners|date=February 27, 2011|website=Oscars|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224034121/http://www.oscars.org/awards/academyawards/legacy/ceremony/83rd-winners.html|archive-date=December 24, 2013}}</ref> The film also received awards for [[Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama|Best Motion Picture – Drama]], [[Golden Globe Award for Best Director|Best Director]], [[Golden Globe Award for Best Screenplay|Best Screenplay]], and [[Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score|Best Original Score]] at the [[68th Golden Globe Awards]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2011/jan/17/golden-globes-ricky-gervais-colin-firth-social-network|title=Golden Globes: Colin Firth crowned while The Social Network wins lion's share|last=Brooks|first=Xan|date=January 17, 2011|website=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=January 10, 2020|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426155046/http://www.theguardian.com/film/2011/jan/17/golden-globes-ricky-gervais-colin-firth-social-network|archive-date=April 26, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Critics including Ebert, complimented the writing, describing the film as having "spellbinding dialogue. It makes an untellable story clear and fascinating".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-social-network-2010|title=The Social Network movie review (2010) {{!}} Roger Ebert|last=Ebert|first=Roger|website=www.rogerebert.com|language=en|access-date=January 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031195822/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-social-network-2010|archive-date=October 31, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== 2011–present: Established filmmaker and work with Netflix ===
[[File:Rooney Mara, Daniel Craig and David Fincher (2012).jpg|alt=Rooney Mara, Daniel Craig, and David Fincher in 2011.|thumb|[[Rooney Mara]], [[Daniel Craig]], and Fincher at the premiere of ''[[The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011 film)|The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo]]'' in 2011]]

In 2011, Fincher followed the success of ''The Social Network'' with ''[[The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011 film)|The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo]]'', a psychological thriller based on [[The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo|the novel]] by Swedish writer [[Stieg Larsson]]. Screenwriter [[Steven Zaillian]] spent three months analyzing the novel, writing notes and deleting elements to achieve a suitable running time.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Weintraub|first=Steve 'Frosty'|date=December 26, 2011|title=Screenwriter Steven Zaillian Talks 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo', Sequels, and How He Might Direct the Remake of 'TimeCrimes'|url=https://collider.com/steven-zaillian-girl-with-the-dragon-tattoo-timecrimes-interview/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200127034706/https://collider.com/steven-zaillian-girl-with-the-dragon-tattoo-timecrimes-interview/|archive-date=January 27, 2020|access-date=March 27, 2020|website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]|language=en-US}}</ref> Featuring [[Daniel Craig]] as journalist [[Mikael Blomkvist]] and [[Rooney Mara]] as [[Lisbeth Salander]], it follows Blomkvist's investigation to solve what happened to a woman from a wealthy family who disappeared four decades ago. To maintain the novel's setting, the film was primarily shot in Sweden.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.visualhollywood.com/movies_2011/girl_with_dragon/notes.pdf|title='The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo': Production Notes|publisher=Visual Hollywood|year=2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121002202741/https://www.visualhollywood.com/movies_2011/girl_with_dragon/notes.pdf|archive-date=October 2, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The [[The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (soundtrack)|soundtrack]], composed by collaborators Reznor and Ross, was described by [[A. O. Scott]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' as "unnerving and powerful".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/trent-reznor-scoring-david-finchers-version-the-girl-dragon-tattoo/|title=Trent Reznor Scoring David Fincher's Version of 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo'|last=Fischer|first=Russ|date=January 7, 2011|website=[[/Film|SlashFilm]]|access-date=March 24, 2011|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120914113709/https://www.slashfilm.com/trent-reznor-scoring-david-finchers-version-the-girl-dragon-tattoo/|archive-date=September 14, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/20/movies/the-girl-with-dragon-tattoo-movie-review.html|title='The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' – Review|last=Scott|first=A. O.|author-link=A. O. Scott|date=December 19, 2011|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=January 8, 2020|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001024809/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/20/movies/the-girl-with-dragon-tattoo-movie-review.html|archive-date=October 1, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Upon the film's release in December, reviews were generally favorable, according to review aggregator [[Metacritic]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-girl-with-the-dragon-tattoo-2011|publisher=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=March 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200721071944/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-girl-with-the-dragon-tattoo-2011|archive-date=July 21, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Scott adds, "Mr. Fincher creates a persuasive ambience of political menace and moral despair". Philip French of ''[[The Guardian]]'' praised the "authentic, quirky detail" and faithful adaptation.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/mar/14/girl-with-dragon-tattoo-film-review|title='The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' {{!}} Film review|last=French|first=Philip|date=March 14, 2010|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=January 10, 2020|language=en-GB|issn=0029-7712|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223125931/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/mar/14/girl-with-dragon-tattoo-film-review|archive-date=December 23, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The film received five Academy Award nominations, including [[Academy Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]] for Mara, and won the award for Best Film Editing.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2012|title=The 84th Academy Awards {{!}} 2012|publisher=[[Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences|Oscars.org {{!}} Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences]]|date=October 7, 2014 |language=en-US|access-date=January 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180417095424/https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2012|archive-date=April 17, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2012, Fincher signed a first look deal with [[Regency Enterprises]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Abrams|first=Rachel|date=2012-11-16|title=David Fincher eyes New Regency deal|url=https://variety.com/2012/film/news/david-fincher-eyes-new-regency-deal-1118062336/|access-date=2021-05-24|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2013, Fincher served as an executive producer for the [[Netflix]] television series ''[[House of Cards (American TV series)|House of Cards]]'', a political thriller about a Congressman's quest for revenge, of which he also directed the first two episodes.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/house-of-cards-premiere-date-netflix-kevin-spacey-david-fincher-376355/ |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |title=Netflix Launching Entire Run of David Fincher's 'House of Cards' in One Day |first=Michael |last=O'Connell |date=April 10, 2012 |access-date=February 2, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121120125707/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/house-of-cards-premiere-date-netflix-kevin-spacey-david-fincher-376355/ |archive-date=November 20, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> The series received positive reviews, earning nine [[Primetime Emmy Award]] nominations, including [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series|Outstanding Drama Series]]; Fincher won the [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series]] for the first episode.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/emmys-14-nominations-netflix-earns-634244/ |title=Emmys: After 14 Nominations, Netflix Earns One Primetime Prize |first=Marisa |last=Guthrie |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=September 22, 2013 |access-date=April 3, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407175335/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/emmys-14-nominations-netflix-earns-634244/ |archive-date=April 7, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> He also directed a music video for the first time since 2005, "[[Suit & Tie]]" by Timberlake and [[Jay-Z]], which won the Grammy Award for Best Music Video.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/awards/56th-annual-grammy-awards|title=56th Annual Grammy Awards|date=November 28, 2017|publisher=[[Grammy Awards]]|language=en-US|access-date=January 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213032037/https://www.grammy.com/grammys/awards/56th-annual-grammy-awards-2013|archive-date=December 13, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

Fincher directed ''[[Gone Girl (film)|Gone Girl]]'' (2014), an adaptation of [[Gillian Flynn]]'s [[Gone Girl (novel)|novel of the same name]], which was also scripted by Flynn, starring [[Ben Affleck]] and [[Rosamund Pike]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://variety.com/2013/film/news/david-fincher-may-have-found-next-girl-1118064952/ |title=David Fincher may have found next 'Girl' |last=Kroll |first=Justin |date=January 22, 2013 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=December 20, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170930170418/https://variety.com/2013/film/news/david-fincher-may-have-found-next-girl-1118064952/ |archive-date=September 30, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Fleming |first=Mike Jr.|date=July 11, 2013|title=Ben Affleck to Star in David Fincher's 'Gone Girl' for Fox/New Regency Before Directing Warner Bros' 'Live by Night'|url=https://deadline.com/2013/07/ben-affleck-gone-girl-movie-david-fincher-539011/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131018034719/https://www.deadline.com/2013/07/ben-affleck-gone-girl-movie-david-fincher/|archive-date=October 18, 2013|access-date=October 18, 2013|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref> He even met with Flynn to discuss his interest in the project before a director was selected.<ref name=":7">{{Cite news|url=https://www.kansascity.com/entertainment/movies-news-reviews/article2244292.html|title=Author Gillian Flynn says filming 'Gone Girl' went much better than expected|last=Butler|first=Robert|date=September 27, 2017|newspaper=[[The Kansas City Star]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626224040/https://www.kansascity.com/entertainment/movies-news-reviews/article2244292.html|archive-date=June 26, 2019|access-date=January 10, 2020}}</ref> Set in [[Missouri]], the story begins as a [[Mystery fiction|mystery]] that follows the events surrounding Nick Dunne (Affleck), who becomes the prime suspect in the sudden disappearance of his wife [[Amy Dunne|Amy]] (Pike). A critical and commercial success, the film earned $369 million worldwide against a $61 million budget, making it Fincher's highest-grossing work to date.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt2267998/?ref_=bo_se_r_1|title=Gone Girl|website=[[Box Office Mojo]]|access-date=January 10, 2020|archive-date=November 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114150116/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt2267998/?ref_=bo_se_r_1|url-status=live}}</ref> Writing for ''[[Salon.com]]'', Andrew O'Hehir praised the "tremendous ensemble cast who mesh marvelously", adding, "All the technical command of image, sound and production design for which Fincher is justly famous is here as well."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.salon.com/2014/09/29/gone_girl_a_dark_marriage_drama_becomes_a_battle_of_the_sexes_debate/|title='Gone Girl': A dark marriage drama becomes a 'battle-of-the-sexes' debate|last=O'Hehir|first=Andrew|date=September 29, 2014|website=[[Salon.com|Salon]]|language=en-US|access-date=January 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191214210945/https://www.salon.com/2014/09/29/gone_girl_a_dark_marriage_drama_becomes_a_battle_of_the_sexes_debate/|archive-date=December 14, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Gone Girl'' garnered awards and nominations in a [[List of accolades received by Gone Girl (film)|various categories]]; Pike earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress and Fincher received his third Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Director.<ref>{{Cite news|date=January 11, 2015|title=2015 Golden Globes: full list of nominations|language=en-GB|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/jan/11/2015-golden-globes-full-list-nominations|url-status=live|access-date=January 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150422230453/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/jan/11/2015-golden-globes-full-list-nominations|archive-date=April 22, 2015|issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

[[File:Gone Girl Premiere at the 52nd New York Film Festival P1070639 (15370774845).jpg|alt=Fincher and Gillian Flynn at the 52nd New York Film Festival.|thumb|Fincher and [[Gillian Flynn]] at the [[2014 New York Film Festival]]]]

Also in 2014, Fincher signed a deal with [[HBO]] for three television series—''[[Utopia (2020 TV series)|Utopia]]'' (an adaptation of the [[Utopia (British TV series)|British series]], to be written by Flynn), ''Shakedown'', and ''Videosyncrazy''. In August 2015, budget disputes between him and the network halted production.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2015/08/david-finchers-utopia-with-rooney-mara-is-dead-at-hbo-videosyncrazy-might-be-doa-too-261018/|title=David Fincher's 'Utopia' with Rooney Mara is Dead at HBO, 'Videosyncrazy' Might Be DOA Too|first=Rodrigo|last=Perez|date=May 22, 2016|website=[[IndieWire]]|access-date=November 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160829201731/https://www.indiewire.com/2015/08/david-finchers-utopia-with-rooney-mara-is-dead-at-hbo-videosyncrazy-might-be-doa-too-261018/|archive-date=August 29, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> However, in 2018, ''Utopia'' was picked up by [[Amazon MGM Studios]], with Flynn as creator.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/utopia-dennis-kelly-gillian-flynn-amazon-1202757761/|title='Utopia' Lands Series Order at Amazon, Creator Gillian Flynn Inks Overall Deal at Studio|last=Otterson|first=Joe|date=April 19, 2018|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|language=en-US|access-date=January 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190126060840/https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/utopia-dennis-kelly-gillian-flynn-amazon-1202757761/|archive-date=January 26, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

Between 2016 and 2019, Fincher directed, produced and served as showrunner for another series, ''[[Mindhunter (TV series)|Mindhunter]]'', starring [[Holt McCallany]], [[Jonathan Groff]] and [[Anna Torv]]. The series, based on the book ''[[Mindhunter: Inside the FBI's Elite Serial Crime Unit]]'', debuted on Netflix worldwide on October 13, 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://collider.com/mindhunter-release-date-netflix/#david-fincher|title='Mindhunter' Release Date Reveals Exactly When You Can Watch David Fincher's New Netflix Series|date=June 13, 2017|website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]|first=Adam|last=Chitwood|access-date=June 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170616202940/https://collider.com/mindhunter-release-date-netflix#david-fincher|archive-date=June 16, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Nolfi|first=Joel|title='Mindhunter' trailer: David Fincher returns to Netflix with new drama|url=https://ew.com/tv/2017/03/01/netflix-mindhunter-trailer/|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|access-date=September 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018173714/https://ew.com/tv/2017/03/01/netflix-mindhunter-trailer/|archive-date=October 18, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> He has expressed interest in eventually making a third season of ''Mindhunter'', which was put on indefinite hold in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chitwood |first=Adam |date=2020-11-19 |title=David Fincher Offers Hope for 'Mindhunter' Season 3: 'At Some Point I'd Love to Revisit It' |url=https://collider.com/mindhunter-season-3-david-fincher-netflix/ |access-date=2021-02-26 |website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]] |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2023, Fincher confirmed that Netflix will not be making a third season of ''Mindhunter'', saying "I'm very proud of the first two seasons. But it's a very expensive show and, in the eyes of Netflix, we didn't attract enough of an audience to justify such an investment [for Season 3]."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zee |first=Michaela |date=2023-02-21 |title=David Fincher Confirms 'Why Mindhunter' Season 3 is Not Happening at Netflix |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/david-fincher-mindhunter-season-3-not-happening-netflix |access-date=2023-02-27 |website=[[IGN]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

In June 2017, [[Jim Gianopulos]] of Paramount Pictures announced that a sequel to ''[[World War Z (film)|World War Z]]'' was "in advanced development" with Pitt and Fincher.<ref>{{Cite web|first=Pamela|last=McClintock|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/features/paramounts-jim-gianopulos-starting-his-fox-exit-reviving-a-struggling-studio-1015023/|title=Paramount's Jim Gianopulos on Starting Over, His Fox Exit and Reviving a Struggling Studio|date=June 21, 2017|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|access-date=September 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918002426/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/features/paramounts-jim-gianopulos-starting-his-fox-exit-reviving-a-struggling-studio-1015023/|archive-date=September 18, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Producers [[Dede Gardner]] and [[Jeremy Kleiner]] said that Fincher would begin directing it in June 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|first=Zack|last=Sharf|url=https://collider.com/world-war-z-2-filming-date/|title='World War Z 2' Filming Date Revealed; David Fincher Still Directing|date=October 9, 2018|website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]|access-date=October 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181010213618/https://collider.com/world-war-z-2-filming-date/|archive-date=October 10, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> However, in February 2019, Paramount cancelled the project.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Perez|first=Rodrigo|date=February 6, 2019|title=Paramount Pulls the Plug on David Fincher's 'World War Z' Sequel [Exclusive]|url=https://theplaylist.net/paramount-david-fincher-world-war-z-exclusive-20190206/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190208205703/https://theplaylist.net/paramount-david-fincher-world-war-z-exclusive-20190206/|archive-date=February 8, 2019|access-date=July 18, 2020|website=The Playlist}}</ref> As of 2019, Fincher serves as an executive producer for ''[[Love, Death & Robots]]'', an animated science-fiction web series created by [[Tim Miller (director)|Tim Miller]] for Netflix.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Katz|first=Brandon|date=March 11, 2019|title=Exclusive: How David Fincher and Tim Miller's 'Love, Death & Robots' Made the Leap to Netflix|url=https://observer.com/2019/03/david-fincher-tim-miller-love-death-robots-netflix-interview-sxsw-2/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322034754/https://observer.com/2019/03/david-fincher-tim-miller-love-death-robots-netflix-interview-sxsw-2/|archive-date=March 22, 2019|access-date=January 10, 2020|website=[[The New York Observer|Observer]]|language=en-US}}</ref>

In July 2019, Fincher signed on to direct ''[[Mank]]'', a [[Biographical film|biopic]] about ''[[Citizen Kane]]'' screenwriter [[Herman J. Mankiewicz]], based on a screenplay written by his late father, Jack, with [[Gary Oldman]] portraying Mankiewicz. ''Mank'' received a limited theatrical release on November 13, 2020, and was made available on Netflix on December 4.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/film/news/david-fincher-gary-oldman-herman-makiewicz-biopic-netflix-1203263923/|title=David Fincher, Gary Oldman Team for Netflix Biopic on 'Citizen Kane' Screenwriter|last=Kroll|first=Justin|date=July 10, 2019|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|language=en-US|access-date=July 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190829175532/https://variety.com/2019/film/news/david-fincher-gary-oldman-herman-makiewicz-biopic-netflix-1203263923/|archive-date=August 29, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Collins|first=K. Austin|date=2020-11-12|title=David Fincher's 'Mank' Brings Old Hollywood Thrills – and Eerie Political Chills|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-reviews/mank-david-fincher-netflix-review-1087631/|access-date=2020-11-15|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|language=en-US|archive-date=November 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113064120/https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-reviews/mank-david-fincher-netflix-review-1087631/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2020/film/news/david-fincher-mank-netflix-citizen-kane-1234834134/|title=Magnificent Obsession: David Fincher on His Three-Decade Quest to Bring 'Mank' to Life|last=Lang|first=Brett|date=October 30, 2020|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|language=en-US|access-date=April 3, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118234347/https://variety.com/2020/film/news/david-fincher-mank-netflix-citizen-kane-1234834134/|archive-date=November 18, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> The film received [[93rd Academy Awards|ten Academy Award nominations]], and won two: [[Academy Award for Best Cinematography|Best Cinematography]] and [[Academy Award for Best Production Design|Best Production Design]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=The 93rd Academy Awards {{!}} 2021|url=https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2021|access-date=2022-01-16|publisher=[[Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences|Oscars.org {{!}} Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences]]|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/awards/oscars/mank-more-oscars-citizen-kane/|title='Mank' has won more Oscars than 'Citizen Kane'|last=Lee Lenker|first=Maureen|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=April 25, 2021|access-date=April 5, 2025|archive-date=April 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210426030818/https://ew.com/awards/oscars/mank-more-oscars-citizen-kane/|url-status=live}}</ref> Wendy Ide, writing for ''The Guardian'', praised Fincher for his nod to [[Classical Hollywood cinema|old Hollywood]], and theatrical approach to ''Mank''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ide |first=Wendy |date=2020-12-05 |title=Mank review: David Fincher's sumptuous ode to old Hollywood |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/dec/05/mank-review-david-fincher-citizen-kane-gary-oldman-amanda-seyfried |access-date=2026-01-17 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

Fincher served as an executive producer on a series titled ''[[Voir (TV series)|Voir]]'' (2021) for Netflix.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Netflix Unveils New David Fincher Docuseries 'Voir'|url=https://deadline.com/2021/10/david-fincher-netflix-mystery-series-unveiled-voir-1234855361/|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=October 13, 2021|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|access-date=October 13, 2021}}</ref> In 2022, Fincher made his first foray in animation directing an episode for the third season of ''Love, Death & Robots''. The episode, "Bad Travelling", was written by ''Seven'' screenwriter Walker.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Weintraub|first=Steve|date=2022-05-09|title=David Fincher is Directing an Episode of 'Love, Death and Robots' Volume 3|url=https://collider.com/david-fincher-love-death-robots-volume-3-bad-travelling-andrew-kevin-walker/|access-date=2022-05-09|website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]|language=en-US}}</ref> In February 2021, it was reported that Fincher would direct an [[The Killer (2023 film)|adaptation]] of the graphic novel ''[[The Killer (comics)|The Killer]]'' for Netflix, with Walker writing the screenplay and [[Michael Fassbender]] attached to star.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kroll |first=Justin |date=2021-02-24 |title=David Fincher Reunites with His 'Seven' Screenwriter for Feature Adaptation of 'The Killer' at Netflix; Michael Fassbender Circling Lead Role |url=https://deadline.com/2021/02/david-fincher-seven-screenwriter-the-killer-netflix-michael-fassbender-1234699668/ |access-date=2021-02-26 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |language=en-US}}</ref> It premiered at the [[80th Venice International Film Festival]] on September 3, 2023,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/david-finchers-the-killer-standing-ovation-venice-1235581013/ |title=David Fincher's Noir Thriller 'The Killer' Gets Rousing Standing Ovation in Venice |first=Patrick |last=Brzeski |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=September 3, 2023 |access-date=April 3, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230903201303/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/david-finchers-the-killer-standing-ovation-venice-1235581013/ |archive-date=September 3, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> began a limited theatrical release on October 27, and was released on Netflix on November 10.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grobar |first=Matt |date=August 30, 2023 |title=Netflix Sets Fall Movie Release Dates for 'The Killer', 'Pain Hustlers', 'Sly', Wes Anderson's 'The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar' & More |url=https://deadline.com/2023/08/netflix-movie-release-dates-fall-2023-1235530889/ |access-date=April 3, 2025 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |archive-date=August 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230830150931/https://deadline.com/2023/08/netflix-movie-release-dates-2023-1235530889/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The film received generally positive reviews from critics.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bradshaw |first=Peter |date=2023-09-03 |title=The Killer review – terrific David Fincher thriller about a philosophising hitman |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/sep/03/the-killer-review-terrific-david-fincher-thriller-about-a-philosophising-hitman |access-date=2025-04-09 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Zacharek |first=Stephanie |date=2023-09-03 |title=Less Is More in David Fincher's Thriller 'The Killer' |url=https://time.com/6310455/the-killer-review-david-fincher/ |access-date=2025-04-09 |magazine=TIME |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lattanzio |first=Ryan |date=2023-09-03 |title='The Killer' Review: David Fincher Executes a Sleek If Small Michael Fassbender Thriller Armed with Existential Futility |url=https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/the-killer-review-david-fincher-michael-fassbender-1234901969/ |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=IndieWire |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2024, it was reported that Fincher was interested in working on an American adaptation of the popular Korean series ''[[Squid Game]]'' and was developing it alongside a ''[[Chinatown (1974 film)|Chinatown]]'' (1974) prequel miniseries that he co-wrote with the late [[Robert Towne]]. It was confirmed in October 2024 that he would develop and work on the ''Squid Game'' adaptation for 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kroll |first=Justin |date=2024-10-28 |title=David Fincher Eyeing New 'Squid Game' Series as Next Project at Netflix – The Dish |url=https://deadline.com/2024/10/squid-game-david-fincher-tv-series-1236159538/ |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/features/chinatown-50th-anniversary-robert-towne-prequel-david-fincher-1236043979/ |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |title=As 'Chinatown' Turns 50, Robert Towne Reflects on His Netflix Prequel Plans with David Fincher and Writing Jack Nicholson's Most Iconic Role |last=Murphy |first=J. Kim |date=June 22, 2024 |access-date=June 24, 2024}}</ref> Fincher is currently directing ''[[The Adventures of Cliff Booth]]'', a sequel to [[Quentin Tarantino]]'s ''[[Once Upon a Time in Hollywood]]'' (2019), written by Tarantino and starring Pitt in the lead role, marking their fourth collaboration between them.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McGowan |first=Andrew |date=2025-07-30 |title=Everything We Know About David Fincher’s ‘The Adventures of Cliff Booth’ |url=https://variety.com/2025/film/news/adventures-of-cliff-booth-david-fincher-brad-pitt-cast-release-date-1236473773/ |access-date=2025-07-31 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Filmmaking style and techniques==
=== Influences ===
Fincher did not attend film school. He has listed filmmakers [[George Roy Hill]], [[Alfred Hitchcock]], [[Stanley Kubrick]], [[Alan J. Pakula]], [[Ridley Scott]], and [[Martin Scorsese]] as his major influences.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.musicolog.com/fincher_interview.asp|title=David Fincher – musicolog.com|website=www.musicolog.com|access-date=January 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112123044/http://www.musicolog.com/fincher_interview.asp|archive-date=January 12, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> His personal favorite films include ''[[Rear Window]]'' (1954), ''[[Lawrence of Arabia (film)|Lawrence of Arabia]]'' (1962), ''[[The Graduate]]'' (1967), ''[[Paper Moon (film)|Paper Moon]]'' (1973), ''[[American Graffiti]]'' (1973), ''[[Jaws (film)|Jaws]]'' (1975), ''[[All the President's Men (film)|All the President's Men]]'' (1976), ''[[Taxi Driver]]'' (1976), ''[[Close Encounters of the Third Kind]]'' (1977), and ''[[Zelig]]'' (1983).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2017/06/david-fincher-favorite-movies-list-1201840009/|title=David Fincher's 26 Favorite Movies: See His Top Picks|last1=Righetti|first1=Jamie|date=June 20, 2017|website=[[IndieWire]]|language=en|access-date=January 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112123026/https://www.indiewire.com/2017/06/david-fincher-favorite-movies-list-1201840009/|archive-date=January 12, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":16">{{Cite web|url=https://lwlies.com/interviews/david-fincher-mindhunter-netflix-true-crime-series/|title=David Fincher: 'Moviemaking is a rat f*ck, every day is a skirmish'|website=Little White Lies|access-date=January 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191103125550/https://lwlies.com/interviews/david-fincher-mindhunter-netflix-true-crime-series/|archive-date=November 3, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> He suggested that his film ''Panic Room'' is a combination of ''Rear Window'' and ''[[Straw Dogs (1971 film)|Straw Dogs]]'' (1971).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia/2016/10/10-modern-movies-influenced-by-hitchcock|title=10 Modern Movies Influenced by Hitchcock|last=Sommers|first=Kat|publisher=[[BBC America]]|language=en-US|access-date=January 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715043350/http://www.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia/2016/10/10-modern-movies-influenced-by-hitchcock|archive-date=July 15, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

For ''Seven'', Fincher and cinematographer [[Darius Khondji]] were inspired by films ''[[The French Connection (film)|The French Connection]]'' (1971) and ''[[Klute]]'' (1971), as well as the work of photographer [[Robert Frank]].<ref name=":9">{{Cite web|url=https://ascmag.com/articles/flashback-seven-1995|title=Seven: Sins of a Serial Killer – The American Society of Cinematographers|website=ascmag.com|access-date=January 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112162646/https://ascmag.com/articles/flashback-seven-1995|archive-date=January 12, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> He has cited graphic designer [[Saul Bass]] as an inspiration for his films' [[title sequence]]s; Bass designed many such sequences for prominent directors, including Hitchcock and Kubrick.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web|url=https://www.artofthetitle.com/feature/david-fincher-a-film-title-retrospective/|title=David Fincher: A Film Title Retrospective|last1=Perkins|first1=Will|last2=Albinson|first2=Ian|website=www.artofthetitle.com|language=en|access-date=January 12, 2020|last3=Perkins|editor=Ian Albinson Lola Landekic Will|date=August 27, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200109144547/https://www.artofthetitle.com/feature/david-fincher-a-film-title-retrospective/|archive-date=January 9, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Method ===
{{quote box
| align = right
| width = 260px
| quote = Those are the moments where moviemaking is not like writing, and it's not like the theater, and it's not like performance art, and it's not like sculpting. It's truly its own discipline. There's nothing else like it in those moments where you go, wow, here's an intent that was probably never even thought of by the guy who wrote the book. And yet this person who may or may not have even read the source material has found this thing. That, for me, after the previsualization, is the most exciting part of the whole.<ref name=":10"/>
| source = —Fincher on [[serendipity]] during filmmaking.
}}

Fincher's filmmaking process always begins with extensive research and preparation, although he has said the process is different every time: "I enjoy reading a script that you can see in your head, and then I enjoy the casting and I enjoy the rehearsal, and I enjoy all the meetings about what it should be, what it could be, what it might be."<ref name=":10"/> He has admitted to having [[Autocracy|autocratic]] tendencies and prefers to [[Micromanaging|micromanage]] every aspect of a film's production.<ref name=":10"/><ref name=":11">{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2002/apr/24/artsfeatures2|title=Film: Interview with David Fincher|last=Brooks|first=Xan|date=April 24, 2002|website=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=January 15, 2020|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200115142240/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2002/apr/24/artsfeatures2|archive-date=January 15, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Icelandic film producer [[Sigurjón Sighvatsson]], with whom Fincher has collaborated for decades, has said that "[Fincher] was always a rebel ... always challenging the status quo".<ref name=":13"/>

Known for his [[Perfectionism (psychology)|perfectionism]] and meticulous eye for detail, Fincher performs thorough research when casting actors to ensure their suitability for the part. His colleague Max Daly said, "He's really good at finding the one detail that was missed. He knows more than anybody."<ref name=":12">{{Cite web|url=https://www.esquire.com/features/ESQ0307fincher|title=The Curious Case of David Fincher|last=Mockenhaupt|first=Brian|date=March 1, 2007|website=Esquire|language=en-US|access-date=January 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141103063604/http://www.esquire.com/features/ESQ0307fincher|archive-date=November 3, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Producer [[Laura Ziskin]] said of him, "He's just scary smart, sort of smarter than everyone else in the room."<ref name=":12"/> He approaches editing like "intricate mathematical problems".<ref name=":12"/> Long-time collaborator [[Angus Wall]] said that editing ''Zodiac'' was like "putting together a [[Swiss made|Swiss watch]] ... all the pieces are so beautifully machined". He elaborated, "[Fincher] is incredibly specific. He never settles. And there's a purity that shows in his work."<ref name=":12"/>

When working with actors, Fincher is known to demand a grueling series of takes to capture a scene perfectly.<ref name=":7"/><ref name=":14"/> For instance, the ''Zodiac'' cast members were required to do upwards of 70 takes for certain scenes, much to the displeasure of Jake Gyllenhaal.<ref name=":6"/> Rooney Mara had to endure 99 takes for a scene in ''The Social Network'' and said that Fincher enjoys challenging people.<ref name=":13"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://movieline.com/2010/04/30/rooney-mara-david-fincher-made-me-do-99-takes-of-a-single-social-network-scene/|title=Rooney Mara: David Fincher Made Me Do 99 Takes of a Single Social Network Scene|date=April 30, 2010|website=Movieline|language=en-US|access-date=January 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190619234356/http://movieline.com/2010/04/30/rooney-mara-david-fincher-made-me-do-99-takes-of-a-single-social-network-scene/|archive-date=June 19, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Gone Girl'' averaged 50 takes per scene. In one of the episodes for ''Mindhunter'', it was reported that a nine-minute scene took 11 hours to shoot.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/mindhunter-david-fincher-cast-filming-season-2-netflix-jonathan-groff-a8382251.html|title=David Fincher made Mindhunter cast shoot one nine-minute scene for 11 hours|date=June 4, 2018|website=The Independent|language=en|access-date=January 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112124859/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/mindhunter-david-fincher-cast-filming-season-2-netflix-jonathan-groff-a8382251.html|archive-date=January 12, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> When asked about this method, Fincher said, "I hate earnestness in performance ... usually by take 17 the earnestness is gone." He added that he wants a scene to be as natural and authentic as possible.<ref name=":6"/> Some actors appreciate this approach, arguing that the subtle adjustments have a big difference in the way a scene is carried. Others have been critical, with [[R. Lee Ermey]] stating, "[Fincher] wants puppets. He doesn't want actors that are creative."<ref name=":12"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2013/10/producer-says-david-fincher-is-averaging-50-takes-per-scene-shooting-gone-girl-248969/|title=Producer Says David Fincher Is Averaging 50 Takes Per Scene Shooting 'Gone Girl'|last1=Jagernauth|first1=Kevin|date=October 24, 2013|website=[[IndieWire]]|language=en|access-date=January 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191112165238/https://www.indiewire.com/2013/10/producer-says-david-fincher-is-averaging-50-takes-per-scene-shooting-gone-girl-248969/|archive-date=November 12, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

Fincher prefers shooting with [[Red Digital Cinema|Red]] digital cameras, under natural or pre-existing light conditions rather than using elaborate [[Photographic lighting|lighting setups]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theasc.com/magazine/nov99/anarchy/pg1.htm|title=Anarchy in the USA – page 1|website=theasc.com|access-date=January 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130523000538/http://www.theasc.com/magazine/nov99/anarchy/pg1.htm|archive-date=May 23, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.diyphotography.net/cinematography-jeff-cronenweth/|title=The Cinematography of Jeff Cronenweth|date=April 11, 2014|website=DIY Photography|language=en-US|access-date=January 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190630171103/https://www.diyphotography.net/cinematography-jeff-cronenweth/|archive-date=June 30, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2016/02/15/films-cinema-comeback-is-driven-by-nostalgia-not-logic/|title=Film's cinema comeback is driven by nostalgia, not logic|website=Engadget|date=July 19, 2019 |language=en|access-date=January 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808115712/http://www.engadget.com/2016/02/15/films-cinema-comeback-is-driven-by-nostalgia-not-logic/|archive-date=August 8, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Fincher is known to use [[computer-generated imagery]], which is mostly unnoticeable to the viewer.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/5/26/15701750/david-fincher-cgi-filmmaking-kaptain-kristian-watch|title=There's a surprising amount of CGI in David Fincher's films|last=Liptak|first=Andrew|date=May 26, 2017|website=The Verge|language=en|access-date=January 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201040354/https://www.theverge.com/2017/5/26/15701750/david-fincher-cgi-filmmaking-kaptain-kristian-watch|archive-date=December 1, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> He does not normally use [[hand-held camera]]s during filming, instead preferring cameras on a [[tripod (photography)|tripod]]. He said, "Handheld has a powerful psychological stranglehold. It means something specific and I don't want to cloud what's going on with too much meaning."<ref name=":8"/> He has experimented with the disembodied camera movement, notably in ''Panic Room'', where the camera glides around the house to give the impression of surveillance by an unseen observer.<ref name=":8"/>

=== Style and themes ===
One element of Fincher's visual style is the specific way in which he uses [[Tilt (camera)|tilt]], [[Panning (camera)|pan]], and [[Match moving|track]] in the camera movements. When a character is in motion or expressing emotions, the camera moves at the exact same speed and direction as their body. The movements are choreographed precisely between the actors and camera operators. The resulting effect helps the audience connect with the character to understand their feelings.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/11/10/16634700/david-fincher-camera-movement|title=How the director of The Social Network makes his movies look like games|last=Kuchera|first=Ben|date=November 10, 2017|website=Polygon|language=en|access-date=January 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180813210322/https://www.polygon.com/2017/11/10/16634700/david-fincher-camera-movement|archive-date=August 13, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://collider.com/david-fincher-movies-video-essay/|title=Watch: Video Essay Breaks Down How David Fincher's Camera Work Connects You to His Characters|last=Foutch|first=Haleigh|date=October 20, 2017|website=Collider|language=en-US|access-date=January 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200108142430/https://collider.com/david-fincher-movies-video-essay/|archive-date=January 8, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Similarly, in his music videos, Fincher appreciated that the visuals should enhance the listening experience. He would [[Film editing|cut]] around the vocals, and let the choreography finish before cutting the shot. Camera movements are synchronized to the beat of the music.<ref name=":18">{{Cite web|url=https://nofilmschool.com/2017/02/watch-david-fincher-and-craft-music-videos|title=Watch: What Makes David Fincher One of the Best Music Video Directors of All Time|date=February 17, 2017|website=No Film School|language=en|access-date=January 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171103143450/http://nofilmschool.com/2017/02/watch-david-fincher-and-craft-music-videos|archive-date=November 3, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

Some regard Fincher as an [[auteur]] filmmaker, although he dislikes being associated with that term.<ref name=":16"/><ref>{{Cite news |last=Rose |first=Steve |date=2023-10-27 |title='Who doesn't think they're an outsider?' David Fincher on hitmen, 'incels' and Spider-Man's 'dumb' origin story |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/oct/27/david-fincher-on-hitmen-incels-and-spider-mans-dumb-origin-story |access-date=2025-03-13 |website=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |quote=Despite being one of the most renowned and distinctive film-makers in the business, Fincher is not comfortable with being described as an "auteur", or even an artist. "There's this fallacy that film directors come in and explain exactly what it is that they want to see and then they go to their trailer," he says. "And then it's presented to them and they make a few revisions, and then it's trapped in aspic for all eternity. That's just not it. It's much more sock puppetry and daycare and plumbing – you know, pouring concrete. It's a lot more physical labour than people probably imagine.}}</ref> Much of his work is influenced by classical [[film noir]] and [[Neo-noir|neo noir]] genres.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://sensesofcinema.com/2003/great-directors/fincher/|title=Fincher, David|last=Lindsay|first=Sean|date=July 25, 2003|website=Senses of Cinema|language=en-US|access-date=January 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160922230841/http://sensesofcinema.com/2003/great-directors/fincher/|archive-date=September 22, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Fincher's visual style also includes using monochromatic and [[Colorfulness|desaturated]] colors of blue, green, and yellow, representing the world that the characters are in. In ''The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo'', Fincher uses heavy desaturation for certain scenes, and increases or decreases the effect based on the story or characters' emotions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nashawnosborne.com/2013/02/22/achieving-david-finchers-color-palette/|title=Achieving David Fincher's Color Palette|last=Lights|first=Shawn|date=February 22, 2013|language=en|access-date=January 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114211407/https://nashawnosborne.com/2013/02/22/achieving-david-finchers-color-palette/|archive-date=January 14, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Erik Messerschmidt]], cinematographer for ''Mindhunter'', explained the color palette: "The show has a desaturated green-yellow look ... [it] helps give the show its period feel." He states the effect is achieved through production design, costumes, and filming locations—not necessarily through lighting used on set. Fincher also favors detailed and pronounced shadows, as well as using minimal light.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://vashivisuals.com/david-fincher-into-the-darkness-2/|title=David Fincher: Into The Darkness {{!}} VashiVisuals Blog|last1=Nedomansky|first1=Vashi|last2=ACE|language=en-US|access-date=January 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114220605/https://vashivisuals.com/david-fincher-into-the-darkness-2/|archive-date=January 14, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2017/10/david-fincher-style-zodiac-mindhunter-cinematography-netflix-1201887819/|title=From 'Zodiac' to 'Mindhunter': 5 Visual Elements that Define David Fincher's Cinematic Universe|last=O'Falt|first=Chris|date=October 19, 2017|website=[[IndieWire]]|language=en|access-date=January 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114210136/https://www.indiewire.com/2017/10/david-fincher-style-zodiac-mindhunter-cinematography-netflix-1201887819/|archive-date=January 14, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> When asked about his use of dim lighting, he said bright lights make the color of skin appear unnatural, and that the lights and colors in his films represent "the way the world looks to [him]".<ref name=":10">{{Cite web|url=https://believermag.com/an-interview-with-david-fincher/|title=An Interview with David Fincher|date=October 1, 2010|website=Believer Magazine|language=en-US|access-date=January 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200115123433/https://believermag.com/an-interview-with-david-fincher/|archive-date=January 15, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

Fincher has explored themes of [[martyr]]dom, [[Social alienation|alienation]], and [[dehumanization]] of both culture and society.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The cinema of Generation X : a critical study of films and directors|last=Hanson, Peter, 1969-|date=2002|publisher=[[McFarland & Company]]|isbn=978-0-7864-8078-4|location=Jefferson, NC|oclc=606617292}}</ref> In addition to the wider themes of good and evil, his characters are usually troubled, discontented, engrossed and flawed outsiders, [[Outcast (person)|outcasts]], [[loner]]s and misfits; they are often unable to socialize and suffer from loneliness.{{efn|1=Attributed to multiple sources.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rose |first=Steve |date=2023-10-27 |title='Who doesn't think they're an outsider?' David Fincher on hitmen, 'incels' and Spider-Man's 'dumb' origin story |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/oct/27/david-fincher-on-hitmen-incels-and-spider-mans-dumb-origin-story |access-date=2025-03-13 |website=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |quote=But there are some recurring themes in his work, such as troubled, outsider white males. They are often violent (as in ''[[The Killer (2023 film)|The Killer]]'' and ''[[Fight Club]]''), or at least wilfully anti-establishment (''[[Mank]]'', ''[[The Social Network]]''), and sometimes serial killers (''[[Seven (1995 film)|Seven]]'', ''[[Zodiac (film)|Zodiac]]'' and the Netflix series ''[[Mindhunter (TV series)|Mindhunter]]''). "I honestly believe that the high school quarterback who's dating the homecoming queen cheerleader – even that guy thinks he's an outsider. Who doesn't think that they're an outsider?" he says. "That's the fundamental difference between me and [[Tim Burton]]. Tim Burton believes that ''[[Edward Scissorhands]]'' is an anomaly. I just don't know anybody who doesn't think, in some kind of way, that they're Edward Scissorhands.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Dargis |first=Manohla |date=2021-01-01 |title=David Fincher, the Unhappiest Auteur |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/01/movies/david-fincher.html |access-date=2025-03-13 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Michaud |first=Jon |date=2010-09-24 |title=Fincher and Sorkin |url=https://www.newyorker.com/books/double-take/fincher-and-sorkin |access-date=2025-03-13 |magazine=[[The New Yorker]] |language=en-US |issn=0028-792X |quote=Fincher has always been obsessed with outsiders and rebels, but now, in mid-career, he has transferred that obsession into a subtler, more telling form, with both comic and tragic implications.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/revisiting-david-finchers-seven/|title=Revisiting David Fincher's Seven|website=Den of Geek|language=en|access-date=January 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305010434/http://www.denofgeek.com/movies/16432/revisiting-david-fincher%E2%80%99s-seven|archive-date=March 5, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/gallery/14-signs-its-david-fincher-production/|title=14 Signs It's a David Fincher Production|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|language=en|access-date=January 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112220030/https://ew.com/gallery/14-signs-its-david-fincher-production/|archive-date=January 12, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-12-03 |title=David Fincher: Hollywood's most disturbing director |url=https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20201201-david-fincher-hollywoods-most-disturbing-director |access-date=2025-04-16 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Schaper |first=B. |date=2022 |title=Conquering the meatspace: the lonely nerd in David Fincher's The Social Network (2010) and Baran bo Odar's Who Am I (2014) |url=https://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:2812f5ab-3574-4e69-84b7-366510a512f3 |journal=Exchanges: The Interdisciplinary Research Journal |language=English |volume=9 |issue=3 |doi=10.31273/eirj.v9i3.866 |doi-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-09-21 |title=Obsessive / Compulsive: "The Social Network" (David Fincher, USA) |url=https://mubi.com/en/notebook/posts/obsessive-compulsive-the-social-network-david-fincher-usa |access-date=2025-04-16 |website=[[Mubi (streaming service)|MUBI]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Connell |first=Max |date=2014-09-30 |title=The Films of David Fincher, Ranked From Worst to Best |url=https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/the-films-of-david-fincher-ranked-from-worst-to-best-69562/ |access-date=2025-04-16 |website=IndieWire |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Suderman |first=Peter |date=2023-11-16 |title=David Fincher's 'The Killer' is a subtly funny movie about a loser assassin |url=https://reason.com/2023/11/16/david-finchers-the-killer-is-a-subtly-funny-movie-about-a-loser-assassin/ |access-date=2025-04-16 |website=Reason.com |language=en-US}}</ref>}} In ''Seven'', ''Zodiac'', and ''The Social Network'', themes of pressure and obsession are explored, leading to the character's downfall. Quoting historian Frank Krutnik, the writer Piers McCarthy argues that "the protagonists of these films are not totally in control of their actions but are subject to darker, inner impulses".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thefincheranalyst.com/articles/pressure-and-obsession-in-the-films-of-david-fincher/pressure-and-obsession-in-the-films-of-david-fincher-5/|title=Pressure and Obsession in the Films of David Fincher|date=November 11, 2018|website=The Fincher Analyst|language=en|access-date=January 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200115230822/https://thefincheranalyst.com/articles/pressure-and-obsession-in-the-films-of-david-fincher/pressure-and-obsession-in-the-films-of-david-fincher-5/|archive-date=January 15, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

In a 2017 interview, Fincher explained his fascination of sinister themes: "There was always a house in any neighborhood that I ever lived in that all the kids on the street wondered, 'What are those people up to?' We sort of attach the sinister to the mundane in order to make things interesting ... I think it's also because in order for something to be evil, it almost has to cloak itself as something else."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/a12775936/david-fincher-2017-interview-mindhunter/|title=David Fincher Is Still Fascinated By Serial Killers|date=2017-10-13|website=Esquire|access-date=2020-01-17|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111105515/https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/a12775936/david-fincher-2017-interview-mindhunter/|archive-date=January 11, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2009-01-18 |title=David Fincher |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2009/feb/03/david-fincher-interview-transcript |access-date=2025-03-13 |website=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Fincher once stated, "I think people are perverts. I've maintained that. That's the foundation of my career."<ref name=":14">{{Cite web |url=http://grantland.com/hollywood-prospectus/david-fincher-career-arc-gone-girl-zodiac-social-network-dragon-tattoo-benjamin-button-genre/ |title=David Fincher's Misdirections: The Movies Inside His Movies |first1=Sean |last1=Fennessey |first2=Chris |last2=Ryan |date=October 3, 2014 |website=[[Grantland]] |access-date=September 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926014210/http://grantland.com/hollywood-prospectus/david-fincher-career-arc-gone-girl-zodiac-social-network-dragon-tattoo-benjamin-button-genre/ |archive-date=September 26, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Collaborators ===
[[File:Reznor Ross G5 setup cropped tight.jpg|thumb|Frequent Fincher collaborators [[Trent Reznor]] and [[Atticus Ross]]]]

Over the course of his career, Fincher has shown loyalty to many members of his cast and crew. As a music video director, he collaborated with [[Paula Abdul]] five times, as well as [[Madonna]] and [[Rick Springfield]] four times each. Once he made the transition to feature films, he cast [[Brad Pitt]] in three of them. He said of Pitt, "On-screen and off-screen, Brad's the ultimate guy ... he has such a great ease with who he is."<ref name=":11"/> [[Bob Stephenson (actor)|Bob Stephenson]], [[Michael Massee]], Christopher John Fields, [[John Getz]], [[Elias Koteas]], [[Zach Grenier]], [[Charles Dance]], [[Rooney Mara]], [[Jared Leto]], [[Arliss Howard]], and Richmond Arquette have also appeared in at least two of his films.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://thefilmexperience.net/blog/2014/10/7/familiar-faces-the-david-fincher-players.html|title=Familiar Faces: The David Fincher Players – Blog – The Film Experience|website=thefilmexperience.net|language=en|access-date=January 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230220208/http://thefilmexperience.net/blog/2014/10/7/familiar-faces-the-david-fincher-players.html|archive-date=December 30, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

''Fight Club'' was scored by the [[Dust Brothers]], who at that point had never scored a film. Describing their working relationship with Fincher, they said he "was not hanging over our shoulders telling us what to do" and that the only direction he gave was to make the music sound as great as the score from ''[[The Graduate]]'' (1967).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kexp.org/read/2015/7/25/inside-pauls-boutique-interview-with-mike-simpson-of-the-dust-brothers/|title=Inside Paul's Boutique: Interview with Mike Simpson of The Dust Brothers|website=www.kexp.org|access-date=January 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114144633/https://www.kexp.org/read/2015/7/25/inside-pauls-boutique-interview-with-mike-simpson-of-the-dust-brothers/|archive-date=January 14, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Nine Inch Nails]] members [[Trent Reznor]] and [[Atticus Ross]] composed the music for ''The Social Network'', ''The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo'', ''Gone Girl'', ''Mank'', and ''The Killer''. The musicians describe their working relationship as "collaborative, respectful, and inspiring" although quipped that it "hasn't gotten any easier".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/trent-reznor-his-collaborations-david-747095|title=Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross' Billboard/THR Film & TV Conference Keynote Q&A: Watch Highlights|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=November 6, 2014|language=en|access-date=January 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200113214828/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/trent-reznor-his-collaborations-david-747095|archive-date=January 13, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Many years before the duo worked with Fincher, he arranged for a remix of the Nine Inch Nails song "[[Closer (Nine Inch Nails song)|Closer]]" to play over the opening credits of ''Seven''. [[Howard Shore]] composed the scores for ''Seven'', ''The Game'', and ''Panic Room''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://chicagoist.com/article/undefined|title=Oscar-Winning Composer Howard Shore Talks Scoring LOTR, 'Naked Lunch' And More|website=The Chicagoist|access-date=January 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171106193205/https://chicagoist.com/2013/12/02/the_gathering_of_the_juggalos_leavi.php|archive-date=November 6, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Darius Khondji and [[Jeff Cronenweth]] have served as cinematographers for Fincher's films. Khondji said, "Fincher deserves a lot of credit. It was his influence that pushed me to experiment and got me as far as I did."<ref name=":9"/> Fincher has hired sound designer [[Ren Klyce]] in all his films since 1995 and trusts him "implicitly".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://arts.ucsc.edu/features/featured-alum/sound-designer-and-ucsc-alum-ren-klyce-makes-all-right-noises|title=Sound Designer and UCSC Alum, Ren Klyce, Makes All the Right Noises {{!}} arts.ucsc.edu|website=arts.ucsc.edu|access-date=January 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213025303/https://arts.ucsc.edu/features/featured-alum/sound-designer-and-ucsc-alum-ren-klyce-makes-all-right-noises|archive-date=December 13, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> He has worked with film editor Angus Wall since 1988. Wall has worked on seven of his films, five of which as editor.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.artofthetitle.com/designer/angus-wall/|title=Angus Wall|website=www.artofthetitle.com|language=en|access-date=January 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190511020041/https://www.artofthetitle.com/designer/angus-wall/|archive-date=May 11, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Donald Graham Burt]] has served as a production designer for six films<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.motionpictures.org/2014/09/longtime-collaborators-helped-david-fincher-find-gone-girl/|title=The Credits|last=Abrams|first=Bryan|website=www.motionpictures.org|date=September 30, 2014|access-date=January 18, 2020|archive-date=November 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114150139/https://www.motionpictures.org/2014/09/longtime-collaborators-helped-david-fincher-find-gone-girl/|url-status=live}}</ref> and Bob Wagner has served as an assistant director for six.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2bb3da6608|title=Bob Wagner|website=BFI|language=en|access-date=January 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419103047/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2bb3da6608|archive-date=April 19, 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> Casting director Laray Mayfield has worked with Fincher for over 20 years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://causeforentertainment.com/product/general-meeting-casting-director-laray-mayfield-2/|title=General Meeting with Casting Director Laray Mayfield|website=A Cause for Entertainment|language=en-US|access-date=January 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200113214829/https://causeforentertainment.com/product/general-meeting-casting-director-laray-mayfield-2/|archive-date=January 13, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> In a 2010 interview, Fincher said, "You don't have to love all of your co-collaborators, but you do have to respect them. And when you do, when you realize that people bring stuff to the table that's not necessarily your experience, but if you allow yourself to relate to it, it can enrich the buffet that you're going to bring with you into the editing room."<ref name=":10"/>

==Personal life==
Fincher married model Donya Fiorentino (sister of actress [[Linda Fiorentino]]<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YF0EAAAAMBAJ&q=%22the+sister+of+actress+Linda+Fiorentino+and+ex-wife%22&pg=PA22|title=Regrets Only|magazine=[[Los Angeles (magazine)|Los Angeles]]|date=May 1997|page=22|access-date=27 January 2023|archive-date=14 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114150134/https://books.google.com/books?id=YF0EAAAAMBAJ&q=%22the+sister+of+actress+Linda+Fiorentino+and+ex-wife%22&pg=PA22|url-status=live}}</ref>) in 1990. They had one daughter together,<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Mottram|first1=James|title=The anti-social network: Why David Fincher is the perfect man for 'The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo'|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/the-anti-social-network-why-david-fincher-is-the-perfect-man-for-the-girl-with-the-dragon-tattoo-6277070.html|access-date=August 27, 2016|website=[[The Independent]]|date=December 18, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160913121349/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/the-anti-social-network-why-david-fincher-is-the-perfect-man-for-the-girl-with-the-dragon-tattoo-6277070.html|archive-date=September 13, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> before divorcing in 1995.<ref name=":17">{{Cite news|last1=Walker|first1=Tim|title=David Fincher: All the best connections|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/david-fincher-all-the-best-connections-2101849.html|access-date=August 27, 2016|website=[[The Independent]]|date=October 8, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307220245/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/david-fincher-all-the-best-connections-2101849.html|archive-date=March 7, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="LA-May1997">{{Cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YF0EAAAAMBAJ&q=%22the+sister+of+actress+Linda+Fiorentino+and+ex-wife%22&pg=PA22|title=Regrets Only|magazine=[[Los Angeles (magazine)|Los Angeles]]|date=May 1997|page=22|access-date=January 27, 2023|archive-date=November 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114150134/https://books.google.com/books?id=YF0EAAAAMBAJ&q=%22the+sister+of+actress+Linda+Fiorentino+and+ex-wife%22&pg=PA22|url-status=live}}</ref> Fincher married producer [[Ceán Chaffin]] in 1996.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Galloway|first=Stephen|date=February 2, 2011|title=David Fincher: The Complex Mind of 'Social Network's' Anti-Social Director|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/david-fincher-complex-mind-social-95704|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200718094258/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/david-fincher-complex-mind-social-95704|archive-date=July 18, 2020|access-date=July 18, 2020|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|language=en}}</ref>

==Filmography==
{{Main|David Fincher filmography}}

{{See also|David Fincher's unrealized projects}}
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Title
! scope="col" | Distributor
|-
! scope="row" | 1992
| ''[[Alien 3]]''
| [[20th Century Studios|20th Century Fox]]
|-
! scope="row" | 1995
| ''[[Seven (1995 film)|Seven]]''
| [[New Line Cinema]]
|-
! scope="row" | 1997
| ''[[The Game (1997 film)|The Game]]''
| [[PolyGram Filmed Entertainment]]
|-
! scope="row" | 1999
| ''[[Fight Club]]''
| 20th Century Fox
|-
! scope="row" | 2002
| ''[[Panic Room]]''
| [[Sony Pictures Releasing]]
|-
! scope="row" | 2007
| ''[[Zodiac (film)|Zodiac]]''
| rowspan="2"| [[Paramount Pictures]] / [[Warner Bros. Pictures]]
|-
! scope="row" | 2008
| ''[[The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (film)|The Curious Case of Benjamin Button]]''
|-
! scope="row" | 2010
| ''[[The Social Network]]''
| rowspan="2"| Sony Pictures Releasing
|-
! scope="row" | 2011
| ''[[The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011 film)|The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo]]''
|-
! scope="row" | 2014
| ''[[Gone Girl (film)|Gone Girl]]''
| 20th Century Fox
|-
! scope="row" | 2020
| ''[[Mank]]''
| rowspan="3"| [[Netflix]]
|-
! scope="row" | 2023
| ''[[The Killer (2023 film)|The Killer]]''
|-
! scope="row" | 2026
| ''[[The Adventures of Cliff Booth]]''
|}

==Awards and recognitions==
{{Main|List of awards and nominations received by David Fincher}}

Tim Walker of ''[[The Independent]]'' praised Fincher's work, stating "His portrayals of the modern psyche have a power and precision that few film-makers can match."<ref name=":17"/> In 2003, Fincher was ranked 39th in ''[[The Guardian]]''{{'}}s 40 best directors.<ref name="theguardian.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/features/page/0,11456,1082823,00.html|title=40 best directors {{!}} Features {{!}} guardian.co.uk Film|website=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=January 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190629200059/https://www.theguardian.com/film/features/page/0,11456,1082823,00.html|archive-date=June 29, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2012, ''The Guardian'' listed him again in their ranking of 23 best film directors in the world, applauding "his ability to sustain tone and tension".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2012/sep/01/best-film-directors-world-2012|title=The 23 best film directors in the world today|last1=Catterall|first1=Ali|date=August 31, 2012|website=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=January 18, 2020|last2=Lyne|first2=Charlie|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|last3=Wise|first3=Gwilym Mumford & Damon|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130827055954/http://www.theguardian.com/film/2012/sep/01/best-film-directors-world-2012|archive-date=August 27, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2016'', Zodiac'' and ''The Social Network'' appeared in the [[BBC]]'s [[BBC's 100 Greatest Films of the 21st Century|100 Greatest Films of the 21st Century]] list.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20160819-the-21st-centurys-100-greatest-films|title=The 21st Century's 100 greatest films|date=August 23, 2016|publisher=[[BBC]]|access-date=January 31, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131124228/http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20160819-the-21st-centurys-100-greatest-films|archive-date=January 31, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> In addition to films, Fincher has often been admired for producing some of the most creative music videos.<ref name=":18"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2011/08/the-15-most-accomplished-music-video-directors/|title=The 15 Most Accomplished Music Video Directors15. Marcus Nispel|website=Complex|language=en|access-date=January 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190817190706/https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2011/08/the-15-most-accomplished-music-video-directors/|archive-date=August 17, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.raindance.org/10-music-video-directors-you-should-know/|title=10 Music Video Directors You Should Know|last=Charles|first=Baptiste|date=August 7, 2015|website=Raindance|language=en-GB|access-date=January 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181210162409/http://www.raindance.org/10-music-video-directors-you-should-know/|archive-date=December 10, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

Fincher received three [[Academy Award for Best Director]] nominations for ''[[The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (film)|The Curious Case of Benjamin Button]]'' (2008), ''[[The Social Network]]'' (2010), and ''[[Mank]]'' (2020). He won both the [[BAFTA Award for Best Direction]] and the [[Golden Globe Award for Best Director]] for ''The Social Network''. He has four nominations for the [[Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directing – Feature Film|DGA Award for Outstanding Directing – Feature Film]] for ''The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'' (2008), ''The Social Network'' (2010), [[The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011 film)|''The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo'']] (2011) and ''Mank'' (2020) as well as a nomination for [[Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directing – Drama Series|Outstanding Directing – Drama Series]] for [[House of Cards (American TV series)|''House of Cards'']] (2013). His work on the latter also earned him the [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series]] and the [[Peabody Awards|Peabody Award]] in addition to four nominations for the [[Producers Guild of America Award for Best Episodic Drama|PGA Award for Best Episodic Drama]].

Fincher also received two [[Grammy Award for Best Music Video|Grammy Awards for Best Music Video]] for "[[Love Is Strong]]" (1995) by ''[[The Rolling Stones]]'' and "[[Suit & Tie]]" (2013) by [[Justin Timberlake]] and [[Jay-Z]] as well as three [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Short Form Animated Program|Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Short Form Animated Program]] for ''[[Love, Death & Robots]]''.

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Awards and nominations received by Fincher's films
|-
! rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Title
! colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" width=160| Academy Awards
! colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" width=160| BAFTA Awards
! colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" width=160| Golden Globe Awards
|-
! Nominations
! Wins
! Nominations
! Wins
! Nominations
! Wins
|-
| 1992
| ''[[Alien 3]]''
| align=center|1
|
| align=center|1
|
|
|
|-
| 1995
| ''[[Seven (1995 film)|Seven]]''
| align=center|1
|
| align=center|1
|
|
|
|-
| 1999
| ''[[Fight Club]]''
| align=center|1
|
|
|
|
|
|-
| 2008
| ''[[The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (film)|The Curious Case of Benjamin Button]]''
| align=center|13
| align=center|3
| align=center|11
| align=center|3
| align=center|5
|
|-
| 2010
| ''[[The Social Network]]''
| align=center|8
| align=center|3
| align=center|6
| align=center|3
| align=center|6
| align=center|4
|-
| 2011
| ''[[The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011 film)|The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo]]''
| align=center|5
| align=center|1
| align=center|2
|
| align=center|2
|
|-
| 2014
| ''[[Gone Girl (film)|Gone Girl]]''
| align=center|1
|
| align=center|2
|
| align=center|4
|
|-
| 2020
| ''[[Mank]]''
| align=center|10
| align=center|2
| align=center|6
| align=center|1
| align=center|6
|
|-
! colspan="2"|Total
! align=center|40
! align=center|9
! align=center|29
! align=center|7
! align=center|23
! align=center|4
|}

'''Directed Academy Award performances'''<br>
Under Fincher's direction, these actors have received [[Academy Awards|Academy Award]] nominations for their performances in the respective roles.

{| class="wikitable"
|+
! Year
! Performer
! Film
! Result
|-
! colspan="4"| [[Academy Award for Best Actor]]
|-
| [[81st Academy Awards|2008]]
| [[Brad Pitt]]
| ''[[The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (film)|The Curious Case of Benjamin Button]]''
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[83rd Academy Awards|2010]]
| [[Jesse Eisenberg]]
| ''[[The Social Network]]''
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[93rd Academy Awards|2020]]
| [[Gary Oldman]]
| ''[[Mank]]''
| {{nom}}
|-
! colspan="4"| [[Academy Award for Best Actress]]
|-
| [[84th Academy Awards|2011]]
| [[Rooney Mara]]
| ''[[The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011 film)|The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo]]''
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[87th Academy Awards|2014]]
| [[Rosamund Pike]]
| ''[[Gone Girl (film)|Gone Girl]]''
| {{nom}}
|-
! colspan="4"| [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress]]
|-
| 2008
| [[Taraji P. Henson]]
| ''The Curious Case of Benjamin Button''
| {{nom}}
|-
| 2020
| [[Amanda Seyfried]]
| ''Mank''
| {{nom}}
|}

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
* {{Cite book|editor1-last=Waxman|editor1-first=Sharon|editor1-link=Sharon Waxman|title=Rebels on the Backlot: Six Maverick Directors and How They Conquered the Hollywood Studio System|publisher=[[HarperCollins|HarperEntertainment]]|year=2005}}
*{{cite book|last=Browning|first=Mark|title=David Fincher: Films that Scar|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kGp4FLsn_AsC|year=2010|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-0-313-37772-3}}
*{{cite book|last=Hartenstein|first=Katharina|title=Expositionsanalyse des Films "Fight Club" von David Fincher|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wTUwC-rPQqIC|year=2007|publisher=GRIN Verlag|isbn=978-3-638-76361-5}}
*{{cite book|last=Januschke|first=Alexander|title=Die Bildsprache von David Fincher anhand SE7EN und FIGHT CLUB|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LtPeBaT8R4wC|year=2010|publisher=GRIN Verlag|isbn=978-3-640-64899-3}}
*{{cite book|last=Lacey|first=Nick|title=Se7en: director, David Fincher|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bH5ZAAAAMAAJ|date=1 November 2001|publisher=Longman|isbn=978-0-582-45257-2}}
*{{cite book|last=Swallow|first=James|title=Dark Eye: The Films of David Fincher|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4GV0AAAACAAJ|date=1 April 2007|publisher=Reynolds & Hearn|isbn=978-1-905287-30-7}}

==External links==
{{sister project links|d=Q184903|c=Category:David Fincher|n=no|b=no|v=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|wikt=no|s=no|species=no}}
* {{IMDb name|0000399}}

{{David Fincher|state=expanded}}
{{Navboxes
| title = [[List of awards and nominations received by David Fincher|Awards for David Fincher]]
| list  = 
{{BAFTA Award for Best Direction}}
{{Boston Society of Film Critics Award for Best Director}}
{{Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Director}}
{{Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Director}}
{{Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best Director}}
{{DirectorsGuildofAmericaAwardCommercials}}
{{EmmyAward DirectingDrama 2001–2025}}
{{Florida Film Critics Circle Award for Best Director}}
{{Golden Globe Award for Best Director}}
{{Honorary César}}
{{Houston Film Critics Society Award for Best Director}}
{{London Film Critics Circle Award for Director of the Year}}
{{Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Director}}
{{MTV Video Music Award for Best Direction}}
{{National Board of Review Award for Best Director}}
{{National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Director}}
{{New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Director}}
{{Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Director}}
{{San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle Award for Best Director}}
{{Satellite Award Best Director}}
{{St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association Award for Best Director}}
{{TFCA Award for Best Director}}
{{Vancouver Film Critics Circle Award for Best Director}}
{{Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Award for Best Director}}}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fincher, David}}
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