Led by Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams, who respectively star as couple Max and Annie, ‘Game Night’ tells the story of the couple’s weekly game night which gets kicked up a notch when Max’s charismatic brother, Brooks, arranges a murder mystery party, complete with fake thugs and faux federal agents.
But as the six uber-competitive gamers set out to solve the case and win, they begin to discover that neither this “game”—nor Brooks—are what they seem to be. Over the course of one chaotic night, the friends find themselves increasingly in over their heads as each twist leads to another unexpected turn. With no rules, no points, and no idea who all the players are, this could turn out to be the most fun they’ve ever had…or, it’s game over.
Joining Bateman and McAdams in the cast are Billy Magnussen, Sharon Horgan, Lamorne Morris, Kylie Bunbury, Jesse Plemons, and Kyle Chandler. We caught with the stars of the film Jesse Plemons & Kyle Chandler for a quick, fun chat.
The Knockturnal: This movie is as funny as hell. What would be your first reaction to the script?
Kyle Chandler: Positive. That it was funny as hell.
Jesse Plemons: That it was funny as hell, and I should do it. Yeah, pretty much.
The Knockturnal: You guys have an insane ensemble cast. I mean, I would be cracking up the whole time. Will it be difficult for you guys to be on set filming with these funny people?
Jesse Plemons: At times, for sure. Yeah.
Kyle Chandler: Yeah, it was easy to laugh. And when it gets late, and you get the giggles, and you’ve got people doing things. Yeah, and it’s fun until the one person gets them and can’t lose them. Now, you’re sitting there going, “Oh, my God. We’re gonna be here all night.”
Jesse Plemons: It’s 5:30 in the morning.
Kyle Chandler: Then you start yelling at them, they think it’s funny. And they start laughing more.
The Knockturnal: What are some of you guys’ favorite games growing up?
Kyle Chandler: Backgammon. And Tiddlywinks. Look it up, baby. Tiddly, wink. Awesome game. You can play it just about anywhere. Except, maybe an airplane because sometimes you’d have to reach over and get the pieces, bing, you pop it on. Yeah, it’s a cup and these little plastic pieces. And you press down on one edge of the plastic piece to the other piece and it pops up, right? But, you gotta get it in the cup. Sort of like an old version of ping pong balls in the cup kind of thing, but it’s Tiddlywinks.
Jesse Plemons: Connect Four, I played a lot of that when I was at my grandpa’s house with my cousins and whatnot.
Kyle Chandler: Which is great too, because if you lose a piece from the checkerboard or something, they cross over. The little plastic, especially the ones with little dots that you set into each other. You know what I’m talking about. Those are the same checkers that come in the cardboard box, the plastic checkers that go in the boxes.
The Knockturnal: If you guys would have a game night today, what are some of the games included today, and who would be involved?
Kyle Chandler: Oh, naked paintball’s fun.
Jesse Plemons: Don’t get him started on it.
Kyle Chandler: Night time naked paintball because you don’t want to see people naked running around, but it’s fun. We have it planned tonight, man. Come on down to Le Brea Boulevard, man. I mean, we got 30 of us out there already tonight. Don’t wear that hat though. Yeah, we got maps drawn up. Don’t worry about it.
The Knockturnal: All right. I’m excited. Well, congratulations on the film.
