X
  • 2012
  • Not Rated
  • Strand Releasing
  • 1 h 36 m
  • 2012
  • Not Rated
  • Strand Releasing
  • 1 h 36 m

Summary Michael, a seemingly meek insurance agent, has a secret: he's holding 10-year-old Wolfgang captive in a locked room in his basement. Chronicling a five month period, director Markus Schleinzer reveals a tense portrait of how seemingly mundane lives can hide the darkest secrets. Michael is a masterfully executed study of a monster with ri...

Directed By: Markus Schleinzer

Written By: Markus Schleinzer

  • 2012
  • Not Rated
  • Strand Releasing
  • 1 h 36 m
  • 2012
  • Not Rated
  • Strand Releasing
  • 1 h 36 m

Michael

Metascore Generally Favorable Based on 12 Critic Reviews
64
User Score Generally Favorable Based on 15 User Ratings
6.9
My Score
Hover and click to give a rating Saved

Where to Watch

Summary Michael, a seemingly meek insurance agent, has a secret: he's holding 10-year-old Wolfgang captive in a locked room in his basement. Chronicling a five month period, director Markus Schleinzer reveals a tense portrait of how seemingly mundane lives can hide the darkest secrets. Michael is a masterfully executed study of a monster with ri...

Directed By: Markus Schleinzer

Written By: Markus Schleinzer

Where to Watch

Top Cast

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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 12 Critic Reviews
64
58% Positive
7 Reviews
33% Mixed
4 Reviews
8% Negative
1 Review

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

 View All
Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 12 Critic Reviews
64
58% Positive
7 Reviews
33% Mixed
4 Reviews
8% Negative
1 Review

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
90
Feb 16, 2012
This coldly compelling film doesn't try to explain Michael's behavior or analyze his disease. As if doing penance for Michael's sins, it eventually metes out unequivocal punishment, but it is small consolation.
By Stephen Holden FULL REVIEW
80
Feb 27, 2012
As horrifying and hard to watch as you'd expect a paedophile's-eye view of life to be. It's neither sensationalist nor trite, and the questions it asks are intelligent and thoughtful.
By Damon Wise FULL REVIEW

User Reviews

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User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 15 User Ratings
6.9
67% Positive
10 Ratings
20% Mixed
3 Ratings
13% Negative
2 Ratings

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

User Reviews

 View All
User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 15 User Ratings
6.9
67% Positive
10 Ratings
20% Mixed
3 Ratings
13% Negative
2 Ratings

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
10
thejoker_5
Aug 21, 2012
Impressive use of cinema I must say. Nothing too visually shocking; rather, it will mentally shock you to your core. However, this movie was perfection, as far as movie making goes. I can't think of a thing I would change to make it better. Additionally, the lead actor is magnificent! He nailed it, so to speak (no pun intended). You really feel like you're there. You have the opportunity to spend a month (or some time period I can't remember) in the life of a mentally deranged person. Sad story, but very well made and worth your time. The thing is- this stuff happens in real life, so deal with it!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Haneke (director) is a genius - try REC or Funny Games if you haven't already....
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8
RamonGuerrero
Dec 18, 2014
I really liked the way the story was told, from the placement of the disease to the journey of a mad man. This film contains amazing performances, especially by the young kid, and a great screenplay.
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75
Feb 15, 2012
It's a chilling film about the routine business of unspeakable acts.
By Scott Tobias FULL REVIEW
70
Feb 14, 2012
Illustrating the banality of evil in an impressively controlled and sometimes darkly humorous fashion, Michael takes a coolly nonjudgmental, non-psychological approach to a disturbing topic.
FULL REVIEW
50
May 12, 2012
A film that's hard to watch and hard to recommend.
By Walter Addiego FULL REVIEW
40
Feb 16, 2012
A strange and troubling little film, a hermetically sealed creep-fest that seems to have no desire to be anything more than just that.
FULL REVIEW
38
Feb 14, 2012
A (relatively) tasteful and restrained approach to potentially lurid subject matter isn't necessarily any better than one that gives in freely to what might be seen as a filmmaker's baser impulses.
By Andrew Schenker FULL REVIEW
See All 12 Critic Reviews
6
Balazs31
Jun 16, 2012
I expected more from this movie. It wasn`t bad, but when it started to get exciting it suddenly ended. They should have gone deeper into the issue of pedos...
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6
Inductivist
Jun 9, 2012
I liked that flat, matter-of-fact style juxtaposed with the horror of what was happening, but the director went a little too far with the boring scenes. You feel like someone might be making fun of you when they've got you paying to watch people put jigsaw puzzles together.
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See All 4 User Reviews

Details

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Production Company Cine Tirol, Filmfonds Wien, Filmstandort Austria (FISA), Nikolaus Geyrhalter Filmproduktion, ORF Film/Fernseh-Abkommen, Österreichisches Filminstitut
Release Date Feb 15, 2012
Duration 1 h 36 m
Rating Not Rated
Genres
Website http://michaelfilm.com/
View All Details

Awards

Austrian Film Award, AT
• 1 Win & 5 Nominations
Bombay International Film Festival
• 2 Wins & 2 Nominations
Cannes Film Festival
• 2 Nominations

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