The experience of seeing the film “Gone Girl” will stay with you long after you leave The Harbor Theatre. It's an example of the mystery-psychological thriller formula at its best.

Gillian Flynn, who wrote the 2012 bestselling novel of the same name, also wrote the screenplay.

Moviegoers who have already read the book shouldn't be disappointed as sometimes happens.

The lives of Nick and Amy Elliot Dunne (Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike) splinter out of control on their fifth wedding anniversary.

Life behind the doors of their leased home in North Carthage, Missouri, for the past two years has been short on happiness and long on dissatisfaction.

Prior to moving to North Carthage, the former NYC writers had both lost their jobs. Amy has a trust fund from her parents, who made millions on a series of children's books called “Amazing Amy.”

The Elliots' used their daughter's life events for their fictional character. At one point Amy (the real Amy) says of the character, “She was always one step ahead of me.”

When even the Elliots come on hard times due to the recession, they ask to borrow over $1 million from the trust fund, and Amy agrees.

Nick, who has become a video game playing couch potato, questions Amy's decision. No worries as they end up agreeing, as long as they have one another, “it's all just background noise.”

They move to Nick's hometown in Missouri after he learns his mother has Stage IV breast cancer. After her death, Amy uses a chunk of change from the fund to help Nick and his twin sister Margo buy a bar. Nick also begins teaching creative writing at a nearby college.

And “The Bar” is where Nick is when he gets a call the morning of July 5 from a neighbor.

The neighbor has reported the couple's cat is outside and the front door is open. After arriving, Nick gathers the cat up and enters the house to make an unexpected discovery: the glass topped coffee table is broken and overturned — but there’s no Amy.

The search for Amy has many dark twists, which lead to even darker turns.

Nick ends up being a suspect, and the cherry on top of the ensuing media frenzy is non-stop coverage by a Nancy Grace-like cable “newscaster” who continually beats the guilty drum.

Every word Nick says is scrutinized. Every gesture analyzed. Why doesn't he look sadder? Why is he smiling? Why doesn't he know who Amy's friends are?

Eventually his in-laws turn against him, not that they were ever really crazy about him to begin with.

Did he kill his wife? Did someone abduct her, or was it all orchestrated?

Affleck and Pike are at the top of their game in this film. Their performances, and the brilliant screenplay, will keep your eyes riveted to the screen.

Supporting cast members include: Neil Patrick Harris as Desi, a former beau of Amy's who still has the hots for her; Kim Dickens as the detective in charge of the case who wants to give Nick the benefit of the doubt; Carrie Coon as Margo; and Tyler Perry as the Nick's flashy celebrity attorney who has seen it all but tells Nick straight up that he and his wife are the most “–-–-ed up” people he's ever met; all contribute to success of this tightly woven film, with superb direction by David Fincher.

Fincher’s directorial credits include “Panic Room,” “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” “The Social Network,” “Zodiac,” and the Netflix series “House of Cards.”

Fincher is a master at creating and building tension, and this novel turned mystery is that and more.

And the ending — well, the ending may not be what you anticipate, but, it is quite perfect, really. Once you stop and think about it. And, you will.

“Gone Girl” opens at The Harbor Theatre Oct. 17 and will run through Oct. 30. Shows on Fridays, Saturdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7 p.m. and on Sundays 3 and 7 p.m.

The Harbor Theatre is located at 185 Townsend Avenue in Boothbay Harbor, across from Hannaford.

For more information call 207-633-0438 or visit www.harbortheatre.net.