Ripley's Game is a 2002 thriller film directed by Liliana Cavani and starring John Malkovich as Tom Ripley. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Patricia Highsmith, which is the third in a series of five Ripley novels.
The film follows Ripley as he becomes involved in a dangerous game with a former associate from Berlin's criminal underworld, Reeves Minot (played by Ray Winstone). Minot asks Ripley to kill a rival, but Ripley instead sees an opportunity to manipulate a local picture framer, Jonathan Trevanny (played by Dougray Scott), into carrying out the murder. Trevanny is dying of cancer and is desperate to provide for his family before he dies.
Ripley grooms Trevanny to become a hit man by offering him money and a chance to see the world. As Trevanny becomes more deeply involved in the game, Ripley's hold over him grows increasingly tenuous. The question of whether Ripley can maintain control over Trevanny and whether he will develop a conscience about his actions forms the central tension of the film.
The film is set in Italy and features stunning cinematography of the Veneto region. Malkovich's portrayal of Ripley is understated and compelling, while the supporting performances from Winstone and Scott are also strong. The film received generally positive reviews upon its release and has been praised for its tense atmosphere and complex characterizations.