House of Games

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House of Games

R

1987

1h 41m

Mystery & Thriller

Crime

Drama

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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karen n

@karen99 Oct 2

Outstanding story great acting one of our families favorite movies

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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)

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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

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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