Games
Games

Movie spotlight

Games

1971
Movie
90 min
Japanese

A 16-year-old girl works in a factory to pay her late father’s debt. When she makes up her mind to become a hostess, a boy approaches her with kind and gentle manners...(Also occasionally known in English as “Play”)

Insights

IMDb5.9/10
Director: Curtis HarringtonGenres: Horror, Mystery, Thriller

Plot Summary

A wealthy fashion magazine publisher, Paul Martell, is drawn into a series of bizarre and potentially dangerous games orchestrated by his new, mysterious wife, Nicole. As the games escalate, Paul becomes increasingly paranoid, suspecting that Nicole is involved in a plot against him, possibly with the help of her former psychiatrist, Dr. Emmett. The lines between reality and illusion blur as Paul's grip on sanity loosens amidst the escalating psychological and physical dangers.

Critical Reception

Games received a mixed to negative reception upon its release. Critics often pointed to its confusing and convoluted plot, as well as its slow pacing. While some performances were noted, the film was generally seen as an underdeveloped psychological thriller that failed to live up to its intriguing premise. Audience reception was similarly lukewarm, with many finding the narrative unsatisfying.

What Reviewers Say

  • The film suffers from a muddled and often nonsensical plot.

  • Pacing issues and a lack of clear direction detract from the suspense.

  • While possessing an interesting setup, the execution fails to deliver a satisfying thriller experience.

Google audience: Information regarding specific Google user reviews or a general summary of their sentiment for 'Games (1971)' is not readily available in public databases.

Fun Fact

The film was originally conceived as a vehicle for Marlon Brando before Curtis Harrington was brought in to direct, reportedly rewriting much of the script.

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