The film's themes include the ambiguity of reality and truth and man's internal struggle. The main focus is on the narrator, Jack who works all day in a cubical as an automobile company employee. He is also insomniac who finds his only cure in cancer support group sessions. But the true existential quality is the conception of the central character of Jack/Tyler, whose existence precedes his essence.
Tyler comes into Jack's perfectly normal, hollow life and exposes his existence for what it really is; something that was not his choice. Jack learns to see the world differently with the more time he spends with Tyler, who is trying to reveal Jack's real identity.
In time Jack is accompanying Tyler on a mission to educate others about this "truth". Tyler is the fulfilled Jack; he is the final version of the films protagonist, at this point Sartre insists that "in creating the man that we want to be, there is not a single one of our acts which does not at the same time create an image of man as we think he ought to be." This statement defines the existential belief that, in choosing for yourself, you are choosing for humanity. The belief is that everyone has free will and free choice, but they should be held responsible for the choices they make. Tyler cannot simply live with his successfully created essence, he must also help others create their own.
The fight that Fincher portrays in the film is exactly what Sartre expects. Struggle, fear, and dread. The journey to finding one's essence is not a painless one, but Jack/Tyler (they turn out to be the same people) ultimately complete their transformation.
I included two clips from the film, try and find the existential characteristics in each.. they are hard to miss.
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