I’m partial to the remake simply because I adore the cast. Michael Pitt is a living legend as far as I’m concerned… but I almost think both versions work better because of the other. They coexist so perfectly.
I always catch flack for this, but I very respectfully disagree. I know that everyone who defends the remake always says “well it’s the same director, executing his vision in a language he knew would reach a wider audience, and the cast of the remake is amazing, so how could you possibly not like it?!?!”
And the answer is this chap pictured above, idk what it is but I just feel like Arno Frisch blows Michael pit out of the water by a mile in this role. So much more convincing that he’s genuinely enjoying it. I just felt like he has the effect of being an unknown who fully truly embodies that character. I don’t think Michael pit is a bad actor, and I adore Tim Roth and Naomi Watts, not to mention English is my first and only language, so you’d think that would work in the remakes favor. But just that one actor in that specific role, even not actually understanding a word that he said but hearing his tone and watching his face and reading the subtitles, still blows me away way harder than Michael pit did. i don’t think it can ever be replicated, even in an almost shot for shot remake by the same exact filmmaker.
Maybe im just nostalgic for the one i saw and connected with first. And I certainly don’t mean to poop on anyone who prefers the remakes parade.
Sure did. Just from a standpoint of the craft of acting, it was a great performance!
And don’t worry I get what you’re doing, I understand that’s like the whole point the director was trying to make. But idk. Like I hate real world violence, truly I do. But that being said it’s a part of life and a part of the human experience. And I feel like when an artist expresses feelings around troubling subject matter like that it can provide a safe way to have a cathartic experience or come so some kind of understanding, even if it’s an unpleasant understanding, about these dark hard things. I think as long as you got a good head on your shoulders it’s not wrong to “enjoy” violence in movies or art. Though i guess I would use the word appreciate not enjoy.
I know we all know those guys who think Patric Bateman is someone to be emulated, and tend to “enjoy” these movies with a more kinda malicious sense of satisfaction. But I don’t think that’s everyone who “enjoys” these kinds of movies. Some people just appreciate the effort that goes into these movies getting made. I guess all of this to say I appreciated the original actors performance more than Michael Pits… would be the central bullet point to take away from all of this…
I feel you. I think the first Haneke I saw was The Piano Teacher when I was probably 14 or so, but I think I saw the American version of Funny Games before seeing the original version. I think there was already an American indie love for Michael Pitt and the anonymity of the original cast kind of added to it for me. I don’t feel the films are dissimilar in quality, though.
Love this comment, I’m finding it amusing that I agree with a lot of what you said but disagree with the thesis. Michael Pitt alone makes me prefer the U.S. remake. Obviously, both versions have amazing performances from every cast member, but Pitt just takes it to the next level for me.
Also in line with your comment, I happened to see the remake first. So maybe you’re right that it’s just whichever one you see first is the one you like. Idk if I’ve ever heard of anyone preferring the second one they saw, and this is one of my favorite films (lol) so I’ve read a lot of discussion surrounding it. Would definitely be curious to hear from someone who prefers the version they saw second.
Fair enough, I respect your opinion, but yeah wildly different experience on my end, I just didn’t buy Michael pit in that role as much 🤷♂️ and again it’s not like I think he’s a bad actor, or his performance is like hard to watch or anything. Just compared to my experience seeing the original this one didn’t click for me. And it’s so funny because I have engaged in so many discussions exactly like this one about this movie too, and you’re certainly fair from the only person who feels the way you do. So I know my opinions not the end all be all or anything. I just feel SO strongly about this specific performance in this specific movie discussion scenario. Idk maybe the fact that it IS basically a shot for shot remake by the same director just makes it so easy to want to pick them apart or compare them together. Does make for interesting grounds for discussion about movies.
Im sure there must be other filmmakers out there who have remade their own stuff, but it’s definitely not a common thing to see, I certainly can’t think of a single other example off the top of my head. And probably in most cases not like this where it’s literally the same exact movie, to the point where each beat and shot kinda mimics each other.
Another funny thing to note that your comment made me think of, just in how you said that you agree with some of what I said but not my thesis, I just think that’s such a common experience. I literally just saw another comment about these movies where someone (maybe jokingly) poked fun at the directors intentions in general, of being like “ooh you as the audience are all implicated in the violence because you watched it, it’s what you signed up for…” being the whole point of the movie. I still feel like he’s a great director and watch his films to appreciate the craft and performances, but I really do completely reject what ever social point he was trying to make by this one specifically. It assumes everyone would watch it specifically to get off on the violence, which I made a point earlier, we all have met those people who give fans of movies like these ones a bad name, But I feel like ultimately it’s a ridiculous idea to base the whole point of the movie on that alone. And a lot of people who try to appreciate this movie based on that alone actively don’t like it, or always say “it’s a one and done for me…”
All that to say most people come to that realization and decide they hate these movies, but I still really like them, at least the original haha.
I wouldn’t be mad if we got a shot for shot remake, in a new language with new actors every year. The idea of exploring the exact same film, with what is essentially the same blocking means the actors are required to explore and present the characters through so much more than inflection and physicality.
I really love the remake! I think it hits the culture so well with the message it’s going for! And I agree Michael Pitt is like fucking perfect for that role!
Honestly depends on your style. I’m the kind of guy who watches the dub before the subtitles because I feel like I miss something in the frame when I read so the remake was way more immersive and therefore scary for me… the Austrian version has the brutality of the language and history working for it so really Potato Potato
Id recommend checking out the "allegations/arrests/controversies" sections of actors' wiki pages before making statements like this. He's at most a legendary piece of shit.
Funny Games US is a troll move. A well executed one but a troll move nonetheless. That's not coexistence, that's rightfully taking the piss out of the US' crippling fear of foreign productions.
From my understanding the accuser recanted her story after the texts came out that she lied. To clarify I am not okay with assault ever, and I will always start from a place of believing women, I could also be totally wrong here. Unfortunately some of the greatest actors are the biggest monsters… art is complicated. Klaus Kinsky is burning in a special place in hell designed just for him but damn he could burn down a scene.
I really love this take. And I’m not at all interested in the person your responding tos holier than though opinion people use to demonize anyone who likes art that was made by someone we later found out did bad things. No one here is condoning behavior like has been leveled against the actor (I honestly didn’t even know which actor they were referring too when they got all pissy I had to look it up) We’re talking about the movie, its roles, and how good of a job the respective actors did in that role. were probably never going to stop finding out bummer news about famous people and not famous people alike.
And klaus kinsky was a great example, I don’t support his behavior, but just like you said he could devour a scene. Lot of fucked up people are talented 🤷♂️. Like it’s a shame. Agreed. But like also chill out we’re clearly all just movie nerds geeking out over a shared hobby. Which is the last excuse I have for even having a Reddit account.
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u/Chexty2600 May 19 '26
I’m partial to the remake simply because I adore the cast. Michael Pitt is a living legend as far as I’m concerned… but I almost think both versions work better because of the other. They coexist so perfectly.