Benny’s Video (1992) - Walkden Entertainment

Benny’s Isolation and Obsession

Benny (Arno Frisch) is a fourteen-year-old who is often left to his own devices, as his parents, Georg (Ulrich Mühe) and Anna (Angela Winkler), lead busy lives. When he’s alone, Benny usually rents a video cassette to watch in his room. Speaking of his room, it’s filled with impressive technology, making it clear that Benny has a strong appreciation and fascination with all things related to cameras and recorders. However, beneath the surface lies a deeper and darker obsession: video violence.

Haneke’s Disturbing Vision

Benny’s Video is a drama with subtle crime elements woven in. The film is directed by Michael Haneke, whose other notable works include Funny Games (1997), The Piano Teacher (2001), Amour (2012), The White Ribbon (2009), and The Seventh Continent (1989), among others. For those unfamiliar, Haneke also served as the writer for Benny’s Video.

A Chilling Portrait of Detachment

I found Benny’s Video to be deeply disturbing for several reasons, but primarily because it centres on a young man with an unexplainable fascination with torture. What makes the film even more unsettling is that Benny appears completely unfazed by what he watches or by his actions toward others. He seems emotionally detached, almost carefree in the face of violence. As viewers, we not only come to understand Benny’s dark interests and desires, but we’re also left on edge, wondering if he will eventually carry out something horrific. Adding to the tension is the looming question of how his parents will react if or when they uncover Benny’s secrets. Despite the discomfort, I found myself compelled to see how it would all unfold. It becomes clear that Benny not only needs help, but that he also must be stopped.

Strong Performances and Realism

Arno Frisch is fantastic as Benny. His performance in the lead role is convincing, unsettling, and filled with unpredictability. Visually, the film is also striking, thanks to Michael Haneke’s direction. I also greatly enjoyed the dialogue, which flows naturally between characters and adds to the strong sense of realism that I deeply appreciated. The moments of violence are disturbingly realistic, and if you’re someone who tends to be squeamish, you might want to brace yourself before watching this film.

Slow Pacing That Tests Patience

While the film is a memorable and gripping experience, I did find the pacing often slow and sluggish. Haneke allows scenes to linger, sometimes in complete silence. Although this style adds to the film’s authenticity and artistic tone, I often found myself wishing it would move forward, especially in the third act, which felt the most drawn out.

Final Thoughts: A Bold Yet Uneven Experience

Overall, Benny’s Video is another impressive film from director and writer Michael Haneke. A polite warning, this film is not for the faint-hearted, given its themes and subject matter surrounding violence. Haneke once again proves his skill in making audiences feel uncomfortable, on edge, and compelled to see how everything unfolds. The cinematography is striking, and Arno Frisch delivers an outstanding lead performance. However, my biggest issue was the film’s pacing. There are noticeable moments, especially in the third act, where the film begins to drag. Nevertheless, if you’re unfamiliar with Haneke’s work, this film is still a strong entry point, offering a gripping experience based on its plot and concept alone.

Benny’s Video (1992) is Now Available on Blu-ray thanks to Umbrella!