House of Games

Play trailer

House of Games

R

1987

1h 41m

Mystery & Thriller

Crime

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

94%

Tomatometer

32 Reviews

79%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

After one of her patients threatens suicide, psychiatrist Margaret Ford (Lindsay Crouse) confronts the source of his anxieties, a downtown bookie named Mike (Joe Mantegna). Once she decides that Mike is not a serious threat, however, she herself becomes interested in his world of high-stakes gambling, and makes use of her skills at reading tells, becoming entrenched in his dealings. Things get dangerous, though, when Mike turns out not to be a bookie at all, but a con man.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Galvanized by David Mamet's punchy dialogue and a winding succession of surprises, House of Games is a terse thriller where confidence is currency.

Read Critics Reviews

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

01/01/2000

4/4

There is a teasing quality to Mamet's presentations that reminds me of a skilled magician, meticulously laying out his cards while telling us a story.

Go to Full Review

Chance Solem-Pfeifer

Willamette Week

Jun 18

What follows is a con-man movie that sticks in your guts. Not because of the take or the twists, but rather its pitch-black read on these characters and what they can’t help but reveal through all their trickery.

Go to Full Review

Jack E. Wilkinson

United Press International

Jun 8

Playwright David Mamet makes his directorial debut in this thoughtful, probing psychological study.

Go to Full Review

Vera Wylde

Council of Geeks

Oct 18

Maybe part of the problem is that (Mamet's) roots are in theater... This is something that could actually make for a decent remake... It begs for a stronger stylistic hand in the presentation, and it just doesn't have that.

Go to Full Review

Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

06/14/2022

It seems incredible, but every piece falls logically into place. At the end you understand the beginning, and you also understand that this is an almost perfect cinematic scam. [Full review in Spanish]

Go to Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

03/21/2022

4/4

House of Games remains a richly conceived character study, a complex cinematic con game, and above all else a grand magic act.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Noel L

@RT15930389 Jan 25

What a great film where you never know who you can trust, although the plot twist was a little predictable

See more

karen n

@karen99 Oct 2

Outstanding story great acting one of our families favorite movies

See more

Ernie K

@ErnieK Aug 30

Mantegna and Crouse deliver excellent performances, backed by thoroughly believable support actors in this engrossing Mamet written/directed thriller. Grabs you slowly and then you can't help but seat through to its entertaining conclusion.

See more

David C

@Davec26 Aug 24

If her acting was any more wooden she would be Pinocchio's mother. Whilst the plot was passable, certainly no Sting, the dialogue was so convoluted and "false” as to be cringe worthy.

See more

Mitch C.

@MovieMitch Aug 24

When I had my own video store back in the late 1980s, this was one of my favorite films to recommend. I don’t remember a single customer ever coming back saying they didn’t love it. Mamet is a writing genius.

See more

Ed .

@RT01276001 Aug 22

Play dangerous games, win dangerous prizes. What a fantastic film! Pros: * riveting plot and dialogue * intense yet controlled acting * moody lighting and direction Cons: * a bunch of them (con artists)

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

David Mamet

Director

Lindsay Crouse

Margaret Ford

Joe Mantegna

Mike

Mike Nussbaum

Joey

Lilia Skala

Dr. Littauer

J.T. Walsh

The businessman

House of Games: Official Clip - Margaret Kills Mike

2:05

House of Games: Official Clip - Poker Game Showdown

1:59

House of Games: Official Clip - It Was Fate I Found You

2:07

House of Games: Official Clip - Con at Western Union

1:56

House of Games: Official Clip - The Missing Briefcase

2:04

House of Games: Official Clip - A Born Thief

2:03

House of Games: Official Clip - Mike Teaches About Tells

1:57

House of Games: Official Clip - Margaret Joins the Sting

2:11

House of Games: Official Clip - Margaret Can't Be Conned

2:12

House of Games: Official Clip - The Accidental Shooting

2:08

View more videos

Slamdance

17%

50%

Slamdance

Watchlist

The Stepfather

89%

65%

The Stepfather

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Stepfather

The Bedroom Window

72%

51%

The Bedroom Window

Watchlist

Street Smart

67%

45%

Street Smart

Watchlist

Suspect

67%

59%

Suspect

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

After one of her patients threatens suicide, psychiatrist Margaret Ford (Lindsay Crouse) confronts the source of his anxieties, a downtown bookie named Mike (Joe Mantegna). Once she decides that Mike is not a serious threat, however, she herself becomes interested in his world of high-stakes gambling, and makes use of her skills at reading tells, becoming entrenched in his dealings. Things get dangerous, though, when Mike turns out not to be a bookie at all, but a con man.

Director: David Mamet
Producer: Michael Hausman
Screenwriter: Jonathan Katz
Distributor: Orion Pictures, Image Entertainment Inc., MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc.
Production Co: Filmhaus
Rating: R
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 11, 1987, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 16, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $416.5K
Runtime: 1h 41m