Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

House of Games

Play trailer Poster for House of Games R Released Oct 11, 1987 1h 41m Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
97% Tomatometer 29 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.
Watch on Fandango at Home Stream Now

Where to Watch

House of Games

House of Games

What to Know

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.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View More (29)
Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times 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. Rated: 4/4 Jan 1, 2000 Full Review Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) It seems incredible, but every piece falls logically into place. At the end you understand the beginning, and you also understand that this is an almost perfect cinematic scam. [Full review in Spanish] Jun 14, 2022 Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review House of Games remains a richly conceived character study, a complex cinematic con game, and above all else a grand magic act. Rated: 4/4 Mar 21, 2022 Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews ...Mamet has infused House of Games with exactly the sort of irresistibly theatrical atmosphere for which he's known... Rated: 3.5/4 Apr 25, 2020 Full Review Jeffrey M. Anderson Combustible Celluloid Regardless of whether the film still delivers its intended zing, it's still hugely satisfying to watch all the moving parts click into place. Rated: 3.5/4 May 24, 2019 Full Review Dan Jardine Cinemania David Mamet's sometimes baffling, never less than fascinating glimpse into the dark underbelly of this world where it turns out that winning games of chance involve more skill (and con artistry) than luck. Rated: 80/100 May 3, 2013 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More (463)
Ernie K 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. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 08/30/25 Full Review David C 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. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 08/24/25 Full Review Mitch C. 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. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/24/25 Full Review Ed . 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) Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 08/22/25 Full Review Alain E From the golden period of Mamet, before he got transformed to a right wing ideologue. Smoke and mirrors on multiple levels which lead to a violent resolution. The story involves a female psychiatrist who enjoys professional success, but has a very limited personal life. She gets suckered in a circle of con men, initially believing that she is in control, until she realizes that she is being conned. Her reaction does not conform to the professional norms of the American Medical Association. The image appears nicely restored. On Prime. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 04/13/25 Full Review Amir M Engrossing and indulgent. It's the kind of movie which, even if you get the plot before the writer intended, it keeps you entertained and undisappointed. The retro1980s setting is also highly appreciated. Definitely would be on my "do not miss" list. Highly underrated. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/07/25 Full Review Read all reviews
House of Games

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

House of Games

House of Games: Official Clip - Margaret Kills Mike House of Games: Official Clip - Margaret Kills Mike 2:05 House of Games: Official Clip - Poker Game Showdown House of Games: Official Clip - Poker Game Showdown 1:59 House of Games: Official Clip - It Was Fate I Found You House of Games: Official Clip - It Was Fate I Found You 2:07 House of Games: Official Clip - Con at Western Union House of Games: Official Clip - Con at Western Union 1:56 House of Games: Official Clip - The Missing Briefcase House of Games: Official Clip - The Missing Briefcase 2:04 House of Games: Official Clip - A Born Thief House of Games: Official Clip - A Born Thief 2:03 House of Games: Official Clip - Mike Teaches About Tells House of Games: Official Clip - Mike Teaches About Tells 1:57 House of Games: Official Clip - Margaret Joins the Sting House of Games: Official Clip - Margaret Joins the Sting 2:11 House of Games: Official Clip - Margaret Can't Be Conned House of Games: Official Clip - Margaret Can't Be Conned 2:12 House of Games: Official Clip - The Accidental Shooting House of Games: Official Clip - The Accidental Shooting 2:08 View more videos
Slamdance 17% 48% Slamdance Watchlist The Stepfather 89% 65% The Stepfather Watchlist TRAILER for The Stepfather The Bedroom Window 72% 51% The Bedroom Window Watchlist Street Smart 67% 45% Street Smart Watchlist Suspect 71% 58% Suspect Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

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
David Mamet, David Mamet, Jonathan Katz
Distributor
Orion Pictures, Image Entertainment Inc., MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc.
Production Co
Filmhaus
Rating
R
Genre
Mystery & Thriller
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
Most Popular at Home Now