House of Games

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House of Games

R

1987

1h 41m

Mystery & Thriller

Crime

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

94%

Tomatometer

33 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.

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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.

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

01/01/2000

4/4

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.

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

Jul 28

Mamet’s wily plot twists and turns while the characters constantly play roles within roles, from the impersonal mask of the psychiatrist pushing her patients... to the gamblers bluffing their way through hands of cards, criminal schemes, and seductions.

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Chance Solem-Pfeifer

Willamette Week

Jun 18

What follows is a con-man movie that sticks in your guts. Not because of the take or the twists, but rather its pitch-black read on these characters and what they can’t help but reveal through all their trickery.

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Jack E. Wilkinson

United Press International

Jun 8

Playwright David Mamet makes his directorial debut in this thoughtful, probing psychological study.

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Vera Wylde

Council of Geeks

Oct 18

Maybe part of the problem is that (Mamet's) roots are in theater... This is something that could actually make for a decent remake... It begs for a stronger stylistic hand in the presentation, and it just doesn't have that.

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Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

06/14/2022

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]

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Noel L

@RT15930389 Jan 25

What a great film where you never know who you can trust, although the plot twist was a little predictable

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karen n

@karen99 Oct 2

Outstanding story great acting one of our families favorite movies

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Ernie K

@ErnieK 08/30/2025

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.

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David C

@Davec26 08/24/2025

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.

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Mitch C.

@MovieMitch 08/24/2025

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.

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Ed .

@RT01276001 08/22/2025

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)

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David Mamet

Director

Lindsay Crouse

Margaret Ford

Joe Mantegna

Mike

Mike Nussbaum

Joey

Lilia Skala

Dr. Littauer

J.T. Walsh

The businessman

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House of Games: Official Clip - Mike Teaches About Tells

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House of Games: Official Clip - Margaret Joins the Sting

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House of Games: Official Clip - Margaret Can't Be Conned

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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: Jonathan Katz
Distributor: Orion Pictures, Image Entertainment Inc., MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc.
Production Co: Filmhaus
Rating: R
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Crime, Drama
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

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