SummaryMichael, a seemingly meek insurance agent, has a secret: he's holding 10-year-old Wolfgang captive in a locked room in his basement. Chronicling a five month period, director Markus Schleinzer reveals a tense portrait of how seemingly mundane lives can hide the darkest secrets. Michael is a masterfully executed study of a monster with rich cinema... Read More
Directed By:Markus Schleinzer
Written By:Markus Schleinzer
Michael
Metascore
Generally Favorable
64
User score
Generally Favorable
6.8
My Score
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Metascore
Generally Favorable
58% Positive
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
33% Mixed
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
8% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
Feb 16, 2012
90
This coldly compelling film doesn't try to explain Michael's behavior or analyze his disease. As if doing penance for Michael's sins, it eventually metes out unequivocal punishment, but it is small consolation.
Feb 27, 2012
80
As horrifying and hard to watch as you'd expect a paedophile's-eye view of life to be. It's neither sensationalist nor trite, and the questions it asks are intelligent and thoughtful.
User score
Generally Favorable
65% Positive
11 Ratings
11 Ratings
24% Mixed
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
12% Negative
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
Aug 21, 2012
10
Impressive use of cinema I must say. Nothing too visually shocking; rather, it will mentally shock you to your core. However, this movie was perfection, as far as movie making goes. I can't think of a thing I would change to make it better. Additionally, the lead actor is magnificent! He nailed it, so to speak (no pun intended). You really feel like you're there. You have the opportunity to spend a month (or some time period I can't remember) in the life of a mentally deranged person. Sad story, but very well made and worth your time. The thing is- this stuff happens in real life, so deal with it!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Haneke (director) is a genius - try REC or Funny Games if you haven't already....
Dec 18, 2014
8
I really liked the way the story was told, from the placement of the disease to the journey of a mad man. This film contains amazing performances, especially by the young kid, and a great screenplay.
Feb 14, 2012
70
Illustrating the banality of evil in an impressively controlled and sometimes darkly humorous fashion, Michael takes a coolly nonjudgmental, non-psychological approach to a disturbing topic.
Feb 16, 2012
40
A strange and troubling little film, a hermetically sealed creep-fest that seems to have no desire to be anything more than just that.
Feb 14, 2012
38
A (relatively) tasteful and restrained approach to potentially lurid subject matter isn't necessarily any better than one that gives in freely to what might be seen as a filmmaker's baser impulses.
Jun 16, 2012
6
I expected more from this movie. It wasn`t bad, but when it started to get exciting it suddenly ended. They should have gone deeper into the issue of pedos...
Jun 9, 2012
6
I liked that flat, matter-of-fact style juxtaposed with the horror of what was happening, but the director went a little too far with the boring scenes. You feel like someone might be making fun of you when they've got you paying to watch people put jigsaw puzzles together.
Production Company:
- Cine Tirol
- Filmfonds Wien
- Filmstandort Austria (FISA)
- Nikolaus Geyrhalter Filmproduktion
- ORF Film/Fernseh-Abkommen
- Österreichisches Filminstitut
Release Date:Feb 15, 2012
Duration:1 h 36 m
Website:
Awards
Austrian Film Award, AT
• 1 Win & 5 Nominations
Bombay International Film Festival
• 2 Wins & 2 Nominations
Cannes Film Festival
• 2 Nominations
