Funny Games (2007 film)

Funny Games
Theatrical release poster by Akiko Stehrenberger
Directed byMichael Haneke
Screenplay byMichael Haneke
Based onFunny Games
by Michael Haneke
Produced by
  • Hamish McAlpine
  • Christian Baute
  • Chris Coen
  • Andro Steinborn
  • Naomi Watts
Starring
CinematographyDarius Khondji
Edited byMonika Willi
Production
companies
Distributed byWarner Independent Pictures (United States)
Les Films du Losange (France)
Tartan Films (United Kingdom)
X Verleih AG (Germany)
Lucky Red (Italy)
Release dates
  • 20 October 2007 (2007-10-20) (London Film Festival)
  • 19 January 2008 (2008-01-19) (Sundance)
  • 14 March 2008 (2008-03-14) (United States)
  • 4 April 2008 (2008-04-04) (United Kingdom)
  • 23 April 2008 (2008-04-23) (France)
  • 29 May 2008 (2008-05-29) (Germany)
Running time
111 minutes
Countries
  • United States
  • Austria
  • France
  • United Kingdom
  • Germany
  • Italy
LanguageEnglish
Budget$15 million
Box office$8.2 million

Funny Games (alternatively titled Funny Games U.S.) is a 2007 satirical psychological thriller film written and directed by Michael Haneke. The film is a shot-for-shot remake of his own 1997 film of the same title, albeit in English and set in the United States with different actors; Naomi Watts, Tim Roth, Michael Pitt, and Brady Corbet star in the main roles. Like the original, the film follows an affluent family as they are captured and tortured by two young criminals on their vacation.

Despite the film title labeled as "U.S.", Funny Games is an international co-production between the United States, United Kingdom, Austria, France, Germany, and Italy. It is the only Haneke film to not premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, instead premiering at several film festivals outside of Cannes including London and Sundance.

Unlike the original, the film received mixed reviews and was a commercial failure. Haneke has stated that the film is a reflection and criticism of violence used in media.