Funny Games (2007)

Funny Games (2007), directed by Michael Haneke, is a shot-for-shot English-language remake of his own 1997 Austrian film. This psychological thriller/horror movie is as much a critique of violence in media as it is a terrifying home invasion story. Starring Naomi Watts, Tim Roth, Michael Pitt, and Brady Corbet, it’s a deliberately uncomfortable, cerebral film that flips genre expectations on their head.

Detailed Summary

A Family Vacation Begins

The film starts with an upper-middle-class family—George, Ann, and their son Georgie—on their way to their lake house for a vacation. All seems serene as they listen to classical music and prepare for a quiet getaway. But Haneke immediately breaks the fourth wall of comfort by slamming heavy metal into the soundtrack, signaling that this will not be a typical thriller.

The Arrival of Paul and Peter

Shortly after arriving at their home, they meet two young, polite, white-gloved men—Paul (Michael Pitt) and Peter (Brady Corbet)—who ask to borrow some eggs. What begins as awkward quickly turns menacing. The boys’ overly polite demeanor starts to wear thin as they invade personal space, act passive-aggressively, and eventually lash out with sudden violence.

The Invasion Escalates

Paul and Peter begin a psychological and physical torment of the family. They break George’s leg, tie up Ann, and toy with their victims under the guise of a twisted game. The two antagonists force the family to participate in sadistic “bets” about whether they will survive the night. At every turn, they dismantle any hope of rescue or escape, creating an atmosphere of suffocating helplessness.

Breaking the Fourth Wall

Paul directly addresses the audience multiple times, asking rhetorical questions and even rewinding scenes (literally using a remote control to “undo” a moment when Ann briefly turns the tables). This meta-cinematic technique is Haneke’s commentary on the viewer’s complicity and expectation of entertainment from violence.

Movie Ending

In the final act, Ann manages to briefly grab a shotgun and kill Peter. But in one of the film’s most controversial and surreal moments, Paul grabs a remote control and rewinds the movie—literally rewinds the scene—and this time, prevents her from shooting. From that moment, all hope is eradicated.

George is drowned in front of Ann and their son is already dead. Ann is taken out on a boat the next morning by Paul and Peter. In a chilling and detached sequence, they push Ann overboard and calmly discuss their next victims.

The final shot shows Paul arriving at another house, once again asking to borrow eggs.

There is no catharsis. No justice. No lesson learned—except perhaps for the viewer, who is forced to examine why they are watching and what they expect from such a narrative. Haneke denies the audience every typical satisfaction, driving home his critique of cinematic violence as entertainment.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, there are no post-credits scenes in Funny Games (2007). The film ends abruptly after the final act of violence, and the credits roll in silence, leaving the audience to sit with their discomfort.

Type of Movie

Funny Games is a psychological thriller and meta-horror film, with elements of home invasion horror and postmodern drama. It is deliberately provocative and subversive, targeting not just the characters within the story, but the audience watching it.

Cast

• Naomi Watts as Ann Farber
• Tim Roth as George Farber
• Michael Pitt as Paul
• Brady Corbet as Peter
• Devon Gearhart as Georgie Farber

Film Music and Composer

Music is used sparingly but with maximum effect. The most memorable musical cue is the sudden jarring insertion of Bonehead by John Zorn (hardcore metal) during the opening titles. There is no traditional score—another intentional decision by Haneke to keep audiences unsettled.

Filming Locations

The film was shot in Long Island, New York, standing in for an upper-class lakeside community. The pristine, picturesque setting underscores the horror, contrasting normalcy with the brutality that unfolds. This also mimics the Austrian setting of the original while making it more accessible to an American audience.

Awards and Nominations

While not a major awards contender, Funny Games (2007) did earn some critical notice:

• Naomi Watts was praised for her emotionally raw performance.
• The film competed at the Cannes Film Festival, though the original 1997 version received broader acclaim.

Behind the Scenes Insights

• Michael Haneke had initially turned down offers to remake the original in English, but later agreed so he could have control over the message being preserved.
• Naomi Watts also served as a producer, pushing for the film to remain as uncompromising as the original.
• Michael Pitt said he intentionally avoided creating any backstory for his character Paul to preserve the enigma and terror.
• The scene where George’s leg is broken was achieved with a practical effect involving a prosthetic and precise camera angles.

Inspirations and References

• Funny Games was inspired by Haneke’s frustration with media violence, especially in American action and horror films.
• The film directly references Brechtian theater techniques, breaking the fourth wall to engage the viewer critically rather than emotionally.
• It also riffs on and critiques the home invasion genre, subverting expectations set by films like The Strangers, Panic Room, or Cape Fear.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

There are no known alternate endings or significantly deleted scenes. Haneke’s shot-for-shot remake is precise and deliberate. Every moment serves a purpose—particularly to challenge audience expectations.

Book Adaptations and Differences

Funny Games is not based on a book, although it shares thematic DNA with literary works that deal with moral philosophy, voyeurism, and violence (e.g., Dostoevsky, Camus). The film is wholly original but designed to spark academic and ethical discussion.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• The first moment Paul asks for eggs and lets them “accidentally” fall—foreshadowing the breakdown of civility.
• The death of young Georgie, which is handled off-screen, making it all the more haunting.
• Ann trying to escape and getting caught, showing the futility of resistance in this world.
• Paul rewinding the film with a remote control, shattering cinematic convention.

Iconic Quotes

• Paul: “You think it’s enough?”
• Ann: “Why don’t you just kill us?”
• Paul: “You shouldn’t forget the importance of entertainment.”
• Paul (to the camera): “What do you think? Do you think they stand a chance?”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• Paul’s and Peter’s names change depending on the house they’re in—sometimes they refer to each other as Tom and Jerry. This destabilizes identity and further breaks realism.
• Their white gloves are a visual echo of the stylized, dehumanized villains in classic horror films.
• Paul’s use of “movie logic” comments points to Haneke’s awareness of narrative tropes and how he’s actively rejecting them.

Trivia

• Michael Haneke has said he remade the film not for the American market, but to challenge American audiences specifically.
• The film’s lack of score and offscreen violence are both purposeful anti-Hollywood decisions.
• Despite being a horror film, there are no jump scares—all the horror is psychological.
• Funny Games was Naomi Watts’ most emotionally draining role according to several interviews.

Why Watch?

Watch Funny Games if you’re tired of predictable horror movies and want something that challenges your own ethics as a viewer. It is not a fun film, but it is a necessary one if you’re interested in how cinema reflects and critiques society. This is horror for the brain, not just the nerves.

Director’s Other Movies

• The White Ribbon (2009)
• Amour (2012)
• Cache (2005)
• Benny’s Video (1992)
• The Piano Teacher (2001)

Recommended Films for Fans

• The Strangers (2008)
• Funny Games (1997) – original version
• Hush (2016)
• The Invitation (2015)
• Eden Lake (2008)
• Them (Ils) (2006)
• Martyrs (2008)