Funny Games (2007)

Naomi Watts and Tim Roth lead a stellar cast in Michael Haneke’s home invasion horror that is playful and brutal in equal measure.

It’s summer and the Farbers are heading to their lake house. When two young men pop over to borrow some eggs, Ann (Naomi Watts) is happy to oblige – after all, it is the neighbourly thing to do.

Within moments the men have outstayed their welcome and a short visit quickly escalates into a series of games – each one threatening, twisted and increasingly sadistic.

Curators Note:

Shot-for-shot remakes of films are rare, but even more so by the original directors.

Intending to better reach audiences who watch violence on screen, to hopefully challenge them, Michael Haneke set out to direct an English-language version of the film ten years after the original’s release.

Starring Naomi Watts who also took on an Executive Producer role, the film relocates from Austria to Long Island in the USA. Casting, location and language aside, the films are virtually identical.

Is it better than the original? Well, it’s equally good.

– Reece Goodwin, Curator (Film & TV)