House of Games
Seen it?1987 | 102 min | Crime, Thriller, Drama
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
Critics loved it (93% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had a box office flop and little lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for crime-drama fans and anyone who likes to be kept guessing. If you loved Bugsy or Nightmare Alley, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Tense, dark and gritty.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 42 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: meant for adults.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
A psychiatrist comes to the aid of a compulsive gambler and is led by a smooth-talking grifter into the shadowy but compelling world of stings, scams, and con men.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
93% on Rotten Tomatoes, 78 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
6.8 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerWeak
$3 million worldwide
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 24K people sought it out in the past year, and interest is climbing
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by David Mamet
- Lindsay CrouseDr. Margaret Ford
- Joe MantegnaMike
- Mike NussbaumJoey
- Lilia SkalaDr. Maria Littauer
- J.T. WalshThe Businessman
- Steven GoldsteinBilly Hahn
- Jack WallaceBartender
- Ricky JayGeorge
- William H. MacySgt. John Moran
- Meshach TaylorMr. Dean