Game Night's Egg Chase: A Masterful Long Shot Sequence Starring Rachel McAdams

Rachel McAdams, Alfred Hitchcock, and 2010s comedy: upon seeing these three references, you might initially assume they are the elements of a sophisticated trivia question, à la NYT Connections (or possibly the setup to a bad “guy walks into a bar” joke). However, their significance extends far beyond morning brain-teasers, beginning in post-WWII America and building toward a cinematic climax 70 years in the making.

McAdams herself is no stranger to comedy, first breaking out into international stardom as the maniacal Regina George in Mean Girls (not to forget her iconic yet underrated performance as the quick-witted romantic Claire Cleary in Wedding Crashers).

Still, her reign in the genre extends well past the 2000s, lasting into the next decade (and beyond) with films like Morning Glory, About Time, and today’s focus—a movie renowned for its big laughs and precise style of filmmaking.

The film is Game Night, a 2018 comedy starring McAdams and Jason Bateman as a game-obsessed couple thrust into a murder mystery party gone wrong that snowballs from the cushy suburbs to the dark underbelly of an international crime ring. Along the way, the duo comes into possession of a priceless Fabergé egg—paving the way for one of comedy's greatest long-shot chases.

Game Night's Egg Chase Scene Is One Of The Most Entertaining Long Shot Sequences In Cinema

Game Night's egg chase belongs to a sub-category of continuous shot sequences in Hollywood—scenes that aren't necessarily shot in only one take, but filmed in such a manner as to create that illusion. Some notable films that have employed this technique in recent years are Birdman and 1917, though their use encompasses entire runtimes in contrast to Game Night's lone set piece.

In the span of just two minutes, we watch the egg switch hands between the various members of the Game Night ensemble, first nabbed by Ryan (Billy Magnussen), who passes it off to Michelle (Kylie Bunbury), then from Michelle to Kevin (Lamorne Morris), to Annie (Rachel McAdams), to Max (Jason Bateman), and then, finally, over the balcony into the hands of newcomer Sarah (Sharon Horgan).

Across this chase, the ensemble ducks and weaves throughout elegant corridors as personnel of the "rich people underground fight club" (to quote Ryan) pursue them relentlessly, all fused into one continuous shot via expert stunt choreography and camera whips, character wipes, and likely a touch of VFX digital stitching for maximum comedic effect.

Where A Game Night Sequel Stands Today

©Warner Bros./courtesy Everett Collection

Today, nearly a decade after its release, Game Night remains sequel-less amid apprehension from directors Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley, who've openly discussed how they fear there isn't much further to explore with the characters and—more importantly—that a follow-up isn't likely to top the comedic heights of the original.

Nevertheless, the film has remained a cult classic in the eight years since its premiere, and a must-watch for fans of both Rachel McAdams and Jason Bateman. Thus, come time for your next Friday night get-together with friends, be sure to tune into a viewing of Game Night—and don't forget to bring three bags of Tostitos scoops.

Release Date February 15, 2018

Runtime 100 minutes

Director John Francis Daley, Jonathan Goldstein

Writers Mark Perez, John Francis Daley, Jonathan Goldstein

Producers Jason Bateman, John Davis, James Garavente, John Fox