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 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 107 Ratings

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7.2

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7.2	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 107 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

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

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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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

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

James Berardinelli

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

Bill Goodykoontz

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

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

Claudia Puig

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

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

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

5 of 8 users found this helpful53

LegitSalt

May 29, 2018

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Juxtaposition. This film uses and reuses juxtaposition so effectively, it might as well be a case study in the technique. The first example of this is in the opening credits, as classical music is suddenly replaced with an intense metal sound. Later, the fourth-wall is used to juxtapose brutal and intense actions. Before I turned this film on, I had never seen a Haneke film, and now, two weeks later I had seen four. Haneke is able to direct and control the motion and action on the screen with such an expertise, it is a wonder that he is more appreciated. In the case of 'Funny Games', the kid not only has an incredible emotional range but also seems almost too authentic. Naomi Watts and Tim Roth play some of the most engaging characters that I have seen on screen to date, causing the audience to feel and experience their every pain. In regards to horror, this movie excels. Lashing out brutally under the cover of wealthy, kind, white folk, yet, at the same time, never truly showing anything at all. No violence is ever permanently shown on screen, not only allowing for incredible suspense build up, but also eliminating any need for CGI blood or gore. This movie also serves as a parody and cometary of both white elitist culture, and the cheap horror genre. In one case, pointing out the ridiculousness of having few individuals so much higher in wealth and status than other. Whilst for the other, commenting on the unnecessary violence, and brutal torture, all in the name of entertainment, our entertainment. In this regard, the movie mocks its own viewers, with the questions it poses in regards to why the film is happening, and what is being obtained from it. In the end, we don't win, the expectations that we are openly promised my the tormentors are shown to be pipe dreams, and everyone dies. After this, the movie comes full circle, and it is made clear that this futile effort will be repeated ad nauseum, resulting in the same outcome each time. There is a particularly well-composed scene when the kid is at the neighbour's house. Here, he is stealthily walking around, trying to avoid his captor. This fails when he comes face to face with the decimated corpse of the former resident, which sparks a downward spiral leading to his capture and death. I could go on and on about how excellent this film is, but I still have to admit it has its flaws. The main ones being the convenience of having no landline, and the moronic behaviour of Naomi Watts as she tries to flee. Despite these missteps, I love this film, and will no doubt return to it. I recommend this to anyone interested in either film, horror, or intense engaging stories.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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

2 of 6 users found this helpful24

Rikiege

Jan 22, 2013

Try to be a masterpiece, but to no avail.

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

cameronmorewood

Nov 8, 2012

The fact that Naomi Watts is still able to give one of the year's very best performances in a film that doesn't even deserve her presence proves just how talented she is.

2 of 5 users found this helpful23

LanthimosSucks

Dec 25, 2017

Yeah i know what that Haneke dude tried to do ok...but whatever really.Kinda boring.Mostly boring.And pointless.

2 of 7 users found this helpful25

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

2 of 7 users found this helpful25

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