Funny Games (1997)

Michael Haneke's Austrian original begins with apparently trivial requests and two visitors who behave as though courtesy entitles them to cooperation. The precision of their manners makes the family's attempts to respond reasonably increasingly unbearable. This is an intentionally punishing examination of violence and spectatorship, not a reassuring suspense ride. Its social trap remains horribly legible long after polite conversation has stopped protecting anyone.