Top of Page

Funny Games

What it’s about

Vacationing with their son Georgie (Clapczynski) at an idyllic lakeside retreat, well-heeled German couple Georg (Muhe) and Anna (Lother) are unnerved by the sudden appearance of two strangers, Peter (Giering) and Paul (Frisch). Highly presentable and cordial at first, the two men turn increasingly nasty. It’s soon evident that they’ve dropped in to inflict new and creative forms of torture on their unfortunate hosts. 

Why we love it

With “Games,” Austrian provocateur Haneke takes a somewhat familiar scenario and makes it fresh, fascinating, and altogether horrific. Dressed in antiseptic white uniforms with matching gloves, Giering and Frisch are among the creepiest home invaders since “Clockwork Orange.” And the displays of sadism aren't merely gratuitous: Haneke is making an apt statement on the degree to which senseless, mind-numbing violence has permeated Western society. These “Games” are certainly not for the faint of heart, but horror and suspense fans should pounce.

Ulrich Mhe, Susanne Lothar, Arno Frisch, Frank Giering, Stefan Clapczynski, Doris Kunstmann, Christoph Bantzer Michael Haneke

Up Next


BECOME A MEMBER

Further explore our 3,300+ curated movie database with exclusive content and member perks.

Join now