10 Most Disturbing Psychological Film Thrillers

Don’t let the title fool you - there’s nothing remotely fun about Michael Haneke’s 1997 dissection of violent cinema. The highly intellectual Austrian auteur has a bone to pick with the media and the complicity of the audience, and you’re going to sit there and listen.

Funny Games sets out its stall from the off: an upper middle class family drives through the countryside listening to classical music, which suddenly gives way to abrasive death metal. From there, the film descends into hell. Two nice young men appear on the family’s doorstep asking to borrow some eggs, then proceed to kidnap and torture the holiday makers for the duration of the movie.

It’s a stark and brutal picture that draws the viewer in by breaking the fourth wall. The villains frequently address the audience as though sharing a nasty joke. A moment of triumph for the victims is undone as the killers literally rewind the movie, undoing the act of heroism.

It’s a tough watch but a fascinating one, and truly unforgettable. If it leaves you feeling angry or upset, then Haneke’s done his job.