Benny's Video

Michael Haneke’s drama explores a teenager’s obsession with screen violence, and his inability to distinguish between reality and fiction.

Benny is a teenager obsessed with violent screen imagery. Left largely unsupervised by his emotionally detached parents, he invites a girl he meets at a video store to his home to watch one of his favourite violent videos. This encounter turns shockingly violent, revealing Benny’s inability to distinguish fiction from reality, a disconnect mirrored by his parents’ disturbing lack of empathy.

Michael Haneke’s chilling psychological horror was released as debate raged around the impact of screen violence on young audiences consuming content via videotape. More than thirty years’ later, its themes remain relevant in an online saturated world, Haneke casting blame across society for the unsettling issues his film raises. Please note this film contains a graphic scene of animal slaughter, viewer discretion is advised.