Yes, it's one of those movies that uses violence to make a point about violence in movies. Where this succeeds is making the violence purely disturbing; there is none of the visual thrill to the killing that so many of these "message movies" fall victim too and end up destroying their own message. For that I give this movie props.

A film that brutally scolds you for at any point enjoying it. Clever, but labours the point.

Haneke seems to like messing with his audience/turn certain concepts on their head, and the idea in this one (as with all movies of Haneke I've seen) is a good one in principle. The problem arises when he gets behind the camera. His talent as a filmmaker is just not there; his reach exceeds his grasp in my opinion.

A lot of people may not like this one, but it works as an experimental film. Haneke explores violence in the media and society, and he carefully constructs the film, not in its narrative, but in its characters and how they relate to us as viewers.

Michael Hanake is at the top of his game in this nightmare called Funny Games. Directing with such ruthless efficiency and panache, he has given us a film which is pulsating and disturbing, mesmerizing and repulsive, all at the same time. And don't let the seemingly contrived premise of the film bother you. This is absolutely nothing like what you have seen before. If you don't mind disturbing images, rent this one out, or better buy it, and get disgusted.

One of Haneke's best works--and one of the most chilling movies ever made. Put all your movie "rules" aside and enjoy the ride.

Forget Scary Movie, this is the ultimate horror-film parody. Haneke stated he didn't want this film essay to be of the horror genre, but it seems like he's failed on that behalf because it's a highly effective chiller. It may also be amusing, I don't know

#, story, reviews

Would only entertain a psychotic individual. No redeeming value or social value. Closest thing to a snuff movie.

When Paul first winks at the camera early in the film, in a very Bugs Bunny way, fascist ideology is applied to the rules of genre cinema, and audience expectation of violence becomes the name of this game (after all, though Fudd tells us he's hunting wabbits, when Bugs winks at us we all know who will really get violent comeuppance). That conceit may get tiresome, but I am wowed by the extremely long takes, the overall LACK of onscreen torture/violence/nudity and my need to turn it the fuck off

Stupidity in movie form.

Uggh.

"Why are you doing this?", "Why not?". Fuck, this is one horrifying movie experience... A harrowing tale, descending into the deepest abyss of human depravity. And probably the ultimate proof that austrians are evil incarnate ;D (hard to imagine this without Frisch's captivating performance, can't fathom how it could've worked dubbed... ungh).

still well worth seeing because of how devilishly intense it is at face value (though i suspect a greater familiarity with the kind of films it's concerned with might render it redundant on that count as well), but there aren't any clever or original insights here, only lectures for people too slow for straw dogs and countless other films where you're forced to engage with your own reactions without having a big patronising arrow-shaped prompt pointed at your face.

A great psychological horror that is a whole lot deeper than what is on the surface. This films gives you a good "punch in the stomach" feeling and truly makes you think. This isn't your conventional nor traditional film, and I definitely recommend it to anyone with the proper mindset. It is terrifying to say the least.