Gone Girl: 10 Things That Are Different in the Movie

Updated on 10/6/2014 at 11:00 AM

David Fincher's Gone Girl, the big-screen adaptation of the wildly acclaimed Gillian Flynn novel, has finally hit theaters. There have already been plenty of glowing reviews for the film, with praise ranging from the stellar performances to the seemingly endless speculation on the ending. Others, of course, have been weighing in on Ben Affleck's full-frontal nudity. But what about those of us who were obsessed with the book? We've broken down all the major differences between the novel and the film. Keep scrolling to see what was added, what was changed, and what was left out entirely.

Three Major Characters Are Missing

Tanner Bolt's wife, Betsy Bolt, is a PR genius. In the book, she's the one cleaning up Nick's messes, and she's the one pelting him (with jelly beans, actually) before his Sharon Schieber interview.
Jacqueline Collings is the mother of Desi, and the two actually live together in the novel. While Desi has nothing but love for Amy, Jacqueline shows a strong dislike and opposition.
Hilary Handy, Amy's best friend from high school, is also missing. She's a small character, but she's crucial in demonstrating just how insane Amy actually is. Amy accused Hilary of stalking her, trying to become her, and even pushing her down a flight of stairs.

That Proposal Doesn't Originally Happen

While the wedding/release party for Amazing Amy does happen in the book, Nick does not propose to Amy during it. Instead, Amy spends the entire night sulking about being single.

Nick's First Attempt to Sway the Press (and Amy) Doesn't Happen

Another character, a young New York crime blogger named Rebecca, is left out entirely. She's not a major character, but her role is huge. She interviews Nick at The Bar, whereupon Nick realizes he can use her to get to Amy. He seizes the opportunity to say he loves Amy, and misses her, and he hopes it's not too late to get her back.

Nick Doesn't Take That Trip to Hannibal

Part of the treasure hunt is supposed to take Nick to Hannibal, MI, a place he's taken Andie as well. Amy gives him another sardonic clue here. Later, the cops head to Hannibal and find Amy's purse, which further implicates Nick in the murder.

Amy's Time in The Ozarks Is Different

In the film, Jeff and Greta discover Amy's money pack during a round of mini golf. In the book, though, Amy joins Jeff on a fish-stealing expedition, where he convinces her to rinse off in the lake. Amy suddenly becomes paranoid they're after her money and races back to shore. A day later, they rob her.

We Never See Nick and Andie's Breakup

While the film depicts how upset Andie gets during the vigil, the moment where Nick breaks it off is conspicuously absent. It's a pretty intense scene in the novel, though, complete with Andie crazily biting Nick's cheek.

Desi's Death Is More Graphic in the Movie

In both cases, Amy slashes Desi's throat, but in the movie, she kills him during a rough sexual encounter, consequently drenching herself in his blood. In the book, she drugs him with a laced martini and does the deed while he's unconscious.

Nick Doesn't Try to Kill Amy at the End

During one chilling scene in the book, just after Amy returns home, Nick coils his hands around Amy and starts to strangle her to death. He quickly realizes, as the life drains out of her, that killing Amy would turn him into the killer he spent so long insisting he wasn't. He just got off the hook as a murder suspect, and if he went through with it, he'd be right back where he started.

Nick Doesn't Write Psycho B*tch, and Amy Doesn't Write Amazing

Instead of killing Amy, Nick begins to write a tell-all book, called Psycho B*tch. At the same time, Amy starts working on her own memoir, Amazing. It's a crucial part of the ending because Amy soon realizes Nick's book could ruin everything. That's why Amy impregnates herself with Nick's frozen sperm sample. She tells him she's expecting the day he gives her his finished manuscript.

Amy Doesn't Get the Last Word

In an in-depth exploration of the two endings, we realized that, not only did neither Nick nor Amy write their tell-all books, but the final note is completely reversed. In the book, Amy concludes with, "I don't have anything else to add. I just wanted to make sure I had the last word. I think I've earned that." The movie ends with echoes of Nick's thoughts instead.