Funny Games (2008)

Name: Funny Games (2008)
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Released: March 14, 2008
Duration: 111 min
Rating: 44
Cast: Michael Pitt, Naomi Watts, Tim Roth

2008

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 33 Critics

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 87 Ratings

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7.2

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7.2	Your Score
7.2	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 87 Ratings

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FUNNY GAMES U.S.

Movie Details & Credits

Warner Independent Pictures (WIP) | Release Date: March 14, 2008

Starring: Michael Pitt, Naomi Watts, Tim Roth

Summary: Michael Haneke remakes his own 1997 about a vacationing family who gets an unexpected visit from two deeply disturbed young men. Their idyllic holiday turns nightmarish as they are subjected to unimaginable terrors and struggle to stay alive. [Warner Independent Pictures]

Director: Michael Haneke

Genre(s): Drama, Thriller

Rating: R

Runtime: 111 min

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Awards & Rankings

54	#54 Most Shared Movie of 2008

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Critic Reviews

100

The A.V. Club - Scott Tobias

A chilly and extraordinarily controlled treatise on film violence, Funny Games punishes the audience for its casual bloodlust by giving it all the sickening torture and mayhem it could possibly desire. Neat trick, that. Read full review

ReelViews - James Berardinelli

Funny Games is not entertainment but it is an experience. Read full review

Arizona Republic - Bill Goodykoontz

Brutal, sadistic yet well-made statement about how violence is portrayed in media and our reaction to it. Read full review

Chicago Reader - J.R. Jones

It’s one thing to make a movie filled with mayhem and then implicate the audience for watching it; it’s another thing entirely to come back ten years later with the same movie, hype it with a marketing campaign, and try to implicate the viewer again. One nice thing about America is that you can’t be tried twice for the same crime. Read full review

USA Today - Claudia Puig

So sadistic and disturbing, Games is easily the toughest movie to sit through since 1994's "Natural Born Killers." Read full review

Los Angeles Times - Peter Rainer

In the end, the difference between "Funny Games" and Hollywood schlock horror may only be a matter of breeding. Funny Games is "Saw IV" with a PhD. Read full review

Wall Street Journal - Joe Morgenstern

In addition to being borderline unendurable, Funny Games is inexplicable, and I don't mean in any philosophical sense. Read full review

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User Reviews

SWBY

Jul 7, 2016

I find it funny that the original and this shot for shot remake with better actors had such different reception, both are terrific dark comedies with the same exact everything, and yet, the lesser minded often dismiss this great piece of cinema as pointless garbage, these people should stopI find it funny that the original and this shot for shot remake with better actors had such different reception, both are terrific dark comedies with the same exact everything, and yet, the lesser minded often dismiss this great piece of cinema as pointless garbage, these people should stop watching movies.This is easily the best dark comedy of all time, an imaginative look at the philosophy of chaos.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

RegOz

Apr 6, 2012

I absolutey love this film! This is a psychological thriller -although not psychologically challenging- that will keep you in suspense from the beginning to the end. Things start slowly and they build up little by little. I know this movie can be very disturbing for some, perhaps evenI absolutey love this film! This is a psychological thriller -although not psychologically challenging- that will keep you in suspense from the beginning to the end. Things start slowly and they build up little by little. I know this movie can be very disturbing for some, perhaps even unbearable; but others will get caught, haunted by it. We should also consider that this is not a movie that aims to teach you something. Not at all! After all, that is not the purpose of a movie -or at least this type of movies-, the 'lesson' you get from a movie is an extra! Nevertheless, if a movie moves you, and makes you feel strong, deep emotions -either positive or negative- then, there has to be something special and/or great about that film. I did feel this movie, intensely!. Undoubtedly, the reactions that people have about Funny Games, are antagonistic, but many, as myself, probably feel that this is a movie to keep at home, in our collection! One thing I celebrate about this movie, is the ending....it says 'bye' to predictable, happy endings;not that there is something wrong with happy endings, but it is good to see something different every now and then. A solid 9, for sure!… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

DanielSolano

Dec 26, 2013

I think its name is "Funny Games" because is the film the one is playing with the watcher. Some parts of the movie are very boring, but is very realistic in so many ways.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

FilmVirtue

Feb 15, 2014

The remake (U.S) version of the film is not as good, let alone effective as the first. I found the film disappointing. Maybe because I originally had high expectations for it. I will say if your going to watch the film, lower your expectations a bit.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

luckaks

Mar 13, 2011

... its not enough to make a movie mix every kind of violence possible and find that - because violence tends to be shocking - the movie itself will have some impact ...

the plot of this film is an empty sequence. No point is madeâ

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

ryancarroll88

Aug 27, 2010

Michael Haneke gets his point across, but has to sacrifice all semblance of entertainment to do so. It's a shame because there was a lot of talent behind this film.

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

acescarter

Apr 5, 2011

Haneke's attempt at creating "unbearable cinema" ultimately failed with this film, in my opinion. I found it quite boring because it is overly focused at trying to provoke emotions from the audience and in doing so lost all meaning. There was no plot, no build up, nothing. I quickerHaneke's attempt at creating "unbearable cinema" ultimately failed with this film, in my opinion. I found it quite boring because it is overly focused at trying to provoke emotions from the audience and in doing so lost all meaning. There was no plot, no build up, nothing. I quicker recommend that one watched paint dry before I recommend this film for anyone.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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