The director doesn't understand the basics of storytelling
I suppose Haneke hates roller coaster rides, skydiving, and haunted houses, too (all which serve the same purpose as horror films).
And certainly he must loathe war flicks, action films, most of Western classic literature, Beowulf, Norse sagas, the Iliad, the Odyssey, fairy tales, Shakespeare's canon, the Bible, Le Morte d'Arthur, and so on. All stories with humans suffering violence whilst fighting monsters.
He must also dislike the Greek dramatic idea of catharsis, which just so happens to be the reason horror movies are popular. Adrenaline plus catharsis.
I know he despises the structure of a story because he seems intent to eviscerate it with this so-called "movie." Drama is defined as conflict. Man vs. man or man vs. nature or man vs. himself. Within that conflict, s/he will experience obstacles. Sometimes that struggle results in violence.
Viewers do not "get off" on violence in movies because -- here's another storytelling fundamental Haneke seems to not comprehend -- we identify with the protagonist. So if s/he suffers violence, as s/he is our proxy, WE feel as though we suffer violence. We root for him/her. We want him/her to prevail. This doesn't mean there aren't worthwhile stories where the protagonist fails. But the good ones have a story/theme/message that honors the contract with the viewer. This Funny Games piece of dreck does not.
Don't tell me you're going to show me a thriller and then proceed to show me your freshman psychology class end-of-year project that stinks.
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