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Benoît Poelvoorde, Rémy Belvaux, André Bonzel, Jean-Marc Chenut, Alain Oppezzi ... see more see more... , Vincent Tavier , Carlos Miranda , Jenny Drye , Hector Pappaert , Nelly Pappaert , Philippe Blasband , Édith Le Merdy , Benoît Mariage , Franco Piscopo , Pascal Lebrun , Steven Artels , Stéphane Aubier , Stephanie Aubier , Emmanuelle Bada , Bruno Belvaux , Lucien Belvaux , Paul Bottemanne , Jean-Pol Cavillot , Antoine Chapelot , Gina Cotica , Olivier Cotica , Ricardo Cotica , Josephs Craeynest , Laurence D'Hondt , Rachel Deman , Fernaud Dubois , Marcel Engels , Alexandra Fandango , Aldo Fostier , Alain François , Clotilde Francois , Jean-Paul Geets , Irene Gilissen , Sylviane Godé , Patrick Goisse , Alain Hologne , Anny Hologne , Micheline Hologne , Andre Kuys , Anne LaGrange , André Laime , Bob Lens , Elaine Leonard , Malou Madou , Jean-Claude Maschetti , Vincent Merveille , Valérie Parent , Jacqueline Poelvoorde-Pappaert , Venelin Poikov , Annamaria Szomolanyiova , Bertrand Tavier , Hughes Tavier , Sabine Tavier , Zoltan Tobolik , Marie Travier , Daniel Tursh , Pierre Vanbraekel , Willy Vandenbroeck , Pol Vanderwarren , Willy Van De Waele

Man Bites Dog is a Belgian faux-documentary and high-concept satire of media violence which follows the lethal exploits of Benoit Benoit Poelvoorde, an affable, and very talkative, serial killer. He k... read more read more...ills for money, and he kills for pleasure, and he talks all the while about philosophy and the proper technique for weighing a corpse down underwater. He is followed through his slaughter-fest by the filmmakers, Rémy and André (the actual filmmakers, Rémy Belvaux and André Bonzel), and the line between reporter and subject becomes blurred pretty quickly. The filmmakers become more and more involved in Benoit's actions, starting with the relatively innocent act of holding a flashlight for him. Eventually, when their funding runs out, Benoit hires them to continue making the film, and soon they are accomplices in a gang rape. While this film has the subtlety of a sledgehammer, its message rings true: the media tend to become part of the stories they report upon as surely as a physicist changes a wave by looking at it. ~ John Voorhees, Rovi

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89% liked it

21,262 ratings

Critics

80% liked it

15 critics

NC-17, 1 hr. 35 min.

Directed by: André Bonzel, Benoît Poelvoorde, Rémy Belvaux

Release Date: December 31, 1992

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DVD Release Date: September 24, 2002

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Flixster Reviews (1,737)

  • axadntpron
    January 18, 2012
    axadntpron
    A shocking and engaging mockumentary that takes a unique and often difficult look at violence in our society. The subject of the film Benoit is disturbingly believable as the maniacal yet oddly likeable sociopath. While Benoit participates in extraordinary acts of violence, the f... read moreilmmakers do a great job making sure that we are entertained the entire time. In that way we are giving consent for the madness to continue. Even as the camera crew in the film began to become more and more complicit in Benoit's crimes, we as the audience can share in their wonder. It is a well made film and even though it is hard to watch at times, you cannot help but watch. It is violent entertainment critiquing violence as entertainment and it does a very good job at achieving that goal.
  • blkbomb
    June 20, 2011
    blkbomb
    "Once I buried two Arabs in a wall over there... Facing Mecca, of course.". Man Bites Dog is a very shocking, disturbing, and darkly funny documentary style film. It's one of the best documentary style films I've seen. The content isn't for everyone and is very graphic. A rape sc... read moreene in this makes the one from A Clockwork Orange look like PBS television. The themes of this film are interesting in the least. What makes the film terrifying is the fact that there are people like this in the world. They aren't easy to spot. They seem normal, but they are capable of the extreme violence like that of the serial killer in this movie. Although it is graphic, the film is very funny as well. The killer makes a lot of smart cracks and some of the irony of the movie is pretty funny too. Some of the funniest scenes occur when the killer is talking about what he does in a serious manner. Not for everyone, but well worth the watch if you can tolerate the material. Last scene is amazing, and Blair Witch owes a lot to it.
  • MidnightMadwoman
    November 3, 2010
    MidnightMadwoman
    I remember this movie. I kind of wish I had seen it before I saw the English-language remake from Britain, though (The Last Horror Movie). It's a fairly novel concept for a horror movie: a serial killer gets a documentary film crew to follow him around, and generates the films sc... read moreares organically and simply through his own behaviour. I kind of feel the way I do when I watch a movie's parody before I see the original: when the first thing you've seen is a reworking, retooling and improvement on an idea, the original source text seems a little pale by comparison. The protagonst-killer in this movie is not nearly as likeable as he was in The Last Horror Movie, and the story isn't as inventive (not by a long shot) as Behind the mask. Still, for the time it was made and what it does, it's a very effective film. It gets extra points for being the first of its type (to my knowledge).
  • nelsonpickens
    July 7, 2010
    nelsonpickens
    I can understand why people have certain problems with Man Bites Dog. Really I can. I just think they're wrong.Yes it's gruesome. Yes it displays a very warped sense of humor. Yes it sometimes goes to far in trying to repulse and cloud the moral sensibilities of its audience.But ... read moreyou either get it or you don't. The makers have not set out to make a movie intended to titillate the viewer, or to satisfy our morbid curiosities concerning serial killers. If that had been their intention they wouldn't have shot the film on cataract-inducing grainy black and white film.They've made a movie that examines the role of violence in society and more importantly in movies. They've made a purposefully repulsive character that only seeks to prove that old Hollywood moral conundrum - if the protagonist makes us laugh and occupies a large amount of screen time, we, the audience will forgive him no matter what he does.I don't think I have ever seen film that is quite like this, It's really the only insightful piece next to Psycho that really captures the psyche of a serial killer
  • tsigur
    December 15, 2009
    tsigur
    I am a big fan of the documentary style when it's done right and this is done really well. The black and white looks great and none of it seems forced or lame like most mockumentaries that have come out as of late. A lot of that has to be attributed to Benoit Poelvoorde, who is f... read moreantastic as the main character. There were a couple of times I wish they would have left the crew out of it, but I understand what they were trying to do. Great commentary on reality television and takes viewers on a very perverse ride. Not for everyone and very disturbing at times, but also very funny at times. Great film.
  • SirPant
    September 15, 2009
    SirPant
    Benoit Poeloorde's performance is terrifying, his unpredictability makes for very tense viewing. This is a dark comedy, filmed as a documentary (with a Dogma feel about it), in striking B/W contrast, with the cast eventually becoming part of the story. It's very clever, very sick... read more, quite funny and absolutely brilliant! That's why The Blair Witch Project ripped it off! Recommended for those of you without heart conditions!
  • 366weirdmovies
    July 12, 2009
    366weirdmovies
    A documentary film crew follows a serial killer as he makes his rounds and slowly begins to participate in his crimes. Worth seeing for provocation value, but ultimately the relentlessly unpleasant ironic sadism can't be justified by the filmmakers' meager insights about the med... read moreia's complicity in fostering violence.
  • creepfreak
    December 15, 2008
    creepfreak
    (Major Spoilers)


    Meet Ben...


    Ben likes to strangle women and repeatedly batter a man's head wide open on a sink. Ben likes to rape a woman while the husband is forced to watch. He likes to sc... read moreare old women to death, in result of an instant heart attack. He also likes to suffocate little children with pillowcases. Ben even likes to party hard.
    So hard till he vomits on himself, and he even shoots down his own friend's at birthday parties!

    Ben is an insanely SADISTIC serial killer...and also a celebrity!(Well, there's a first time for everything, right?)

    Man Bites Dog tells the story of a small film crew who follows around a demented, but an intelligent madman named Ben, in attempt to make a true "Snuff" documentary. It turns out the crew take a likening to Ben, and they strangely connect, hitting it off on their revoltingly shameless and gory adventures, and even share laughs together. At times, Ben even seems like a civil person, the polite man in the street who stops to cheer you up. He's even a caring family member most of the times. He's humorous, and he's also loyal and loves his girlfriend...

    ...We know this cause we witness it all on actual footage(but keep in mind of course, this is just a mockumentary).

    But of course Ben has his charm, as most serial killers do. A side that we don't see when our backs are turned, and while the unlucky one's roam the street late at night. But the difference here though, is Ben doesn't have a reason to hide his viscous side. He knows he's being filmed 24/7, and half of his friends already know he's a damn psychopathic killer. Right there you know that this movie isn't meant to be taken seriously. Actually it's part of what makes this movie so dementedly funny. Yes, Man Bites Dog is a comedy as well! A sick, and disgusting, dark and vile comedy...but a comedy that's insanely outrageous.

    Ben even finds it humorous! He jokes with the film crew in the middle of his slayings, and teaches them the right techniques in murdering. Like I said before, Ben's a humorous kind of guy.(only his humor is tasteless and despicably evil)...But hell! At least he puts the "fun" in killing!

    Here's where it gets even funnier...

    As the film progresses, the documentary film crew start fearing for their own lives. Ben doesn't seem so friendly anymore(well I really don't think he ever gave a sh*t), but accidents start happening, and the film crew are being offed one by one as well. Still, they continue to finish the documentary! Come on now? How are you suppose to take this film seriously after that being said? But that's what's great!(keep this in mind when watching the brutal killings. I don't know, it might help you stomach it better)...lol, I doubt it though! This is still a sick and fu*king down right disturbing movie. The violence is raw. There's no shying away either. The violence is in-your-face raw, with no remorse for the viewers. This is some sick sh*t!

    The acting here is solid all around, which helps make things alot...well I guess...worse(I mean that in the best way possible of course). I'm just saying it adds too much realism to the slayings, which would be hard for most people to watch. But look on the bright side...Man Bites Dog is funny as well(again with the "acting" part, in helping to make the humor more convincing and funny). Just be very OPEN MINDED when watching this...grab a vomit bag, and (try to)enjoy this sick insanity.

    You've been warned!


    ""Man Bites Dog" is probably one of the most disturbing, horrific, disgusting and ruthless films in the history of cinema."
    - moviesmademe.com

    "A black comedy that's as dark as night, Man Bites Dog is a worthy successor to A Clockwork Orange as this generation's most telling and unflinching look at our views on violence."
    - Filmcritic.com

    "Personally, I think the film has it's moments where I was thinking to myself "Why am I enjoying this?!", but all of it is underscored with a huge exclamation point and subtle yet effective humor that softens the blow. There are times when this combination will have you rolling on the floor laughing, and other times when you'll recoil in an attempt to pander to your better judgment."
    - HorrorView

    "This grainy black-and-white shoestring- budget "mockumentary," about a film crew following around a professional killer, is one of the most bizarre, hilarious, and disturbing things I've ever seen."
    - eFilmCritic.com

    ""Man Bites Dog" is realistic, almost too realistic. The film is in truth more surreal than real, but the primitive styling and shaky "amateur" camera work persuade you to believe this is a documentary. You believe the harshness seen to be reality, with nothing surreal about it. This "mocumentary" wants you to feel horrified and disgusted. If you become too agitated to watch it, the film succeeds in its goal,(if you simply laugh at it you are sick), but if you sit through the entire movie (and I would recommend you do) the film will give you closure. But remember, even if it appears real, it's done for the sake of art, and what a masterpiece it is!"
    - Movie Vault
  • Stinger839
    August 15, 2008
    Stinger839
    An extremely impressive neo-realist film, worthy of several repeated screenings. Punctuated with just the right amount of naturalistic dialogue and humour, and the image has a flawless ability to make events which are sometimes too serendipitous for narrative film work incredibly... read more well within this illusion that we are watching real footage. Beyond being a very raw portrait of murder, this film is extremely poetic and the main character is unforgettable.

    "So Fucked Up" highlight:
    main character kills friend for no apparent reason at birthday celebration, film-makers take part in a rape/double murder
  • binky013
    May 17, 2008
    binky013
    Now, more than ever, seems it rich to die. To cease upon the midni -- [sound of gunshots] . . .

    Well, it ain't no nightingale this time, friends. It's a pigeon : )

    Okay, granted, the premise here is ridiculous, but that's fine by me. I actually thrive on literature w

    ... read moreith ridiculous premises : ) Belgian? I could have sworn, given the language spoken by the actors, for instance, that this one is French. And the French, God bless them -- watch out, France, the Belgians appear to be breathing down your collective neck in the dark-humor market-capture race -- have always had the knack of honing in on very cool ridiculousness. When I watch something this chucklingly twisted, I'm almost always tempted to stand up and sing "La Marseillaise" -- although I should maybe now commit "The Brabançonne" to memory as well -- just because, you know, only our friends in France (and maybe Belgium) could pull this off. I especially love the way the film crew members keep getting knocked off in their artistic quest to pull the "documentary" project together.

    If you're at all into very sick, very dark, very sick, very dark -- that's right, I said it twice : ) -- very essentially French (and/or Belgian) humor, this is a must-see. This Benoît Poelvoorde as the poetic hit-man is terrific. That poor little kid : )

View All C'est arrivé près de chez vous (Man Bites Dog) (It Happened in Your Neighborhood) Reviews

Critic Reviews

Rob Humanick
August 26, 2011
Rob Humanick, Projection Booth

An important film, yes, but one frequently surpassed and out-subverted. Full Review

Rob Gonsalves
September 27, 2007
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com

This is an original, a stark and (sorry) biting work far more complex, both stylistically and thematically, than first meets the eye. Full Review

Emanuel Levy
December 25, 2006
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

Misunderstood, this original belgian film is a stairical stab at serial killers, our new "cultural icons"; the moral was misinterpreted by some critics. Full Review

Eric Melin
October 1, 2005
Eric Melin, Scene-Stealers.com

a strikingly original satire carried out with unbelievable deadpan humor

Scott Weinberg
April 3, 2005
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com

Harsh, unflinching and sinfully enjoyable.

Brian Mckay
March 19, 2003
Brian Mckay, eFilmCritic.com

The film's absurdly dark humor comes with a price tag, and after a while the continuously mindless and pointless killings begin to exact a numbing toll on the viewer. Full Review

Christopher Null
October 6, 2002
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com

A black comedy that's as dark as night, Man Bites Dog is a worthy successor to A Clockwork Orange as this generation's most telling and unflinching look at our views on violence. Full Review

James Kendrick
October 6, 2002
James Kendrick, Q Network Film Desk

a deeply compelling, if ultimately confused, indictment of screen violence as entertainment, one that continues to shock and confound

Jonathan R. Perry
August 4, 2002
Jonathan R. Perry, Tyler Morning Telegraph (Texas)

Joins I Stand Alone and Funny Games on the list of maddeningly recondite European films that exploit the violence-in-media subtext to hide their sick, voyeuristic fantasies.

February 23, 2012
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

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