House of Games (1987): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
House of Games is a 1987 crime thriller directed by David Mamet, starring Lindsay Crouse, Joe Mantegna and Steven Goldstein. It runs 1 hour 42 minutes and earned $2.6 million worldwide. It earned 2 award nominations, including Best Screenplay at the Golden Globes 1988. Critics gave it 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and 78 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 42m (102 min)
- Director
- David Mamet
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Orion Pictures
- After the credits
- Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
What Is House of Games About?
The premise of House of Games without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A brilliant but restless psychiatrist, Margaret Ford, becomes involved with a charming and manipulative con artist named Mike. While treating a patient, she finds herself drawn into Mike's world of deception and high-stakes games. As Margaret tries to understand Mike’s troubled mind, she becomes increasingly entangled in his elaborate schemes. She must use her professional skills to navigate his web of lies and stay one step ahead, but risks losing herself in the process.
House of Games Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- tell
- poker
- book
- psychiatrist
- neo noir
- title appears in writing
- con game
- surprise ending
- autograph
- dream
- gambling debt
- empty matchbook
+38 more Show fewer
- pearl handled pistol
- gun in a desk drawer
- reviewing session notes
- pool hall
- sting the ruse
- suicidal thoughts
- gambler
- convertible car
- female psychiatrist
- trust
- directorial debut
- cadillac the car
- poker game
- grifter
- compulsive gambler
- adaptation directed by original author
- screenplay adapted by author
- briefcase full of money
- taking notes
- autographing a book
- cult film
- water gun
- envelope
- red car
- three word title
- freudian slip
- shot multiple times
- shot in the leg
- cut hand
- long con
- short con
- cadillac convertible
- pack of money
- fifty dollar bill
- wire money
- playing poker
- five card draw
- author
House of Games Cast
Lindsay Crouse leads the cast, with Joe Mantegna and Steven Goldstein. Directed by David Mamet; 10 actors are credited in all.
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Director David Mamet
Also Starring in House of Games
· 6 moreMore from David Mamet
More films directed by David Mamet, best-rated first: The Winslow Boy, Things Change, The Spanish Prisoner and Homicide.
House of Games Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave House of Games 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and 78 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10.
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IMDb 7.2 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 97% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 79%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 78 Metascore
User score 7.8
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 68% User score
See on TMDB
House of Games Plot Summary
What happens in House of Games from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Margaret Ford, portrayed by Lindsay Crouse, is a psychiatrist based in Seattle, Washington, who has recently gained acclaim for her book discussing obsessive-compulsive disorder. However, despite her professional success, she feels an emptiness in her life. One day during a therapy session, her patient Billy Hahn, played by Steven Goldstein, expresses serious concerns for his safety, revealing that he is in deep trouble with a criminal known as Mike Mancuso, played by Joe Mantegna. In a desperate moment, he brandishes a gun and threatens suicide. With a combination of compassion and authority, Margaret manages to convince him to hand over the weapon, reassuring him that she will find a way to help.
Full summary
The whole story of House of Games, scene by scene
House of Games Box Office
House of Games grossed $2.6 million worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$2.6M
- US & Canada
- $2.6M
House of Games Awards & Nominations
House of Games earned 2 award nominations, including Best Screenplay at the Golden Globes 1988. The 2 nominations come from 2 ceremonies.
2 nominations2 ceremonies
-
Golden Globes 1988 1 nomination- Nominated Best Screenplay – David Mamet
-
Saturn Awards 1987 1 nomination- Nominated Best Supporting Actress
House of Games Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 featurette.
- Featurette Joe Mantegna on House of Games
How Well Do You Know House of Games?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What profession does Margaret Ford practice?
Cars in House of Games
19 cars on screen, including the 1962 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz and the 1978 Checker Marathon.
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1962 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Important role -
1978 Checker Marathon Minor role -
1986 Chevrolet Caprice Minor role -
1979 Dodge St. Regis Minor role
House of Games Also Known As
23 alternative titles, including “Es begann mit einer Lüge” and “Jogo Fatal”.
- Also known as
-
- Es begann mit einer Lüge
- Jogo Fatal
- O Jogo de Emoções
- Engrenages
- La casa dei giochi
- Bordet fanger
- Játékos végzet
- Forført
- Hráčské doupě
- Haus der Spiele
- Casa de juegos
- Игорный дом
+11 more Show fewer
- שם המשחק
- Jogo de Emoções
- Къщата на игрите
- En bricka i spelet
- Гральний дім
- 위험한 도박
- 赌场
- Casa jocurilor
- Oyun Evi
- Dům her
- Dom gry
Seen House of Games?
Movies Like House of Games
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including House of Cards, The House on Telegraph Hill and The House Across the Lake.
House of Games FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of House of Games, each answered in a sentence.
How long is House of Games?
House of Games runs 1 hour 42 minutes (102 minutes).
When was House of Games released?
House of Games was released on October 14, 1987.
Who directed House of Games?
House of Games was directed by David Mamet.
More films by David Mamet Who is in the cast of House of Games?
House of Games stars Lindsay Crouse, Joe Mantegna and Steven Goldstein, among 10 credited actors.
How much did House of Games make at the box office?
House of Games grossed $2.6 million worldwide.
How is House of Games rated?
House of Games has 7.2/10 on IMDb, 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, 78 on Metacritic and 68% on TMDB.
Was House of Games nominated for any awards?
House of Games received 2 nominations across 2 ceremonies.
Does House of Games have a post-credit scene?
Yes. House of Games has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.
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