Grieving or guilty? Ben’s in the frame in Gone Girl at Royston’s Picture Palace

The book by Gillian Flynn has sold millions of copies around the world, and there’s no denying that the film adaptation of Gone Girl has been given A-list attention.

Ben Affleck stars as the husband who is at first the object of sympathy when his other half vanishes – and then increasingly comes under suspicion. Is he just faking his concern to cover up for murder?

There are twists in the tale as this slick thriller, which also features the very busy Rosamund Pike as the missing missus and The Big Bang Theory’s Neal Patrick Harris in a creepy straight role, and the direction by David Fincher keeps things edgy and unsettling even if there are no heads in boxes this time round.

One thing’s for sure, it’s not exactly a date movie – all the key players have deeply disturbing secrets beneath their glossy public faces, and you shouldn’t go expecting a lovey dovey outing.

There are two screenings of this up-to-the-minute big budget release at the Picture Palace this week, tonight and tomorrow, with both shows starting at 7.30pm.

You can book tickets (£7.50 or £5.50 concessions) online at www.roystonpicturepalace.org.uk.

On the multiplex front, the big release of the week is The Imitation Game, in which Benedict Cumberbatch shrugs off his Sherlock persona but tackles another frighteningly brainy oddball in the form of Alan Turing.

The mathematical genius who helped shorten the Second World War with his brilliance at Bletchley Park only to be then hounded in postwar Britain for his homosexuality makes for a fascinating story, and the newly-affianced Benedict gives it both barrels.

Also out is Nativity 3: Dude. Where’s My Donkey? – another sequel for the surprise Brit hit set around a school seasonal production. Martin Clunes takes on the leading man duties in the wake of Martin Freeman, who featured in the 2009 original, and David Tennant, who stepped up in the 2012 second episode. Very silly, but charming with it.