Benny’s Video

Benny’s Video

Year: 1992

Runtime: 110 mins

Language: German

Director: Michael Haneke

CrimeDramaIntense violence and sexual transgressionGripping intense violent crimeChallenging or sexual themes & twists

A 14-year-old video enthusiast obsessed with violent films decides to make one of his own and show it to his parents, with tragic results.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Benny’s Video (1992)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Benny’s Video (1992). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Georg and Anna's home, European farm, video store vicinity, dance club, Egypt

Most of the action unfolds within the family home and nearby spaces, anchoring the unsettling events in familiar surroundings. The European farm backdrop provides a bucolic contrast to Benny's filmed violence. Egypt appears as a family vacation that intersects with the aftermath, illustrating how the household tries to escape or manage what has happened.

🏠 Domestic setting 🚜 European farm 📽️ Home video culture 🕺 Nightlife 🛫 Egypt travel

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:13

Main Characters – Benny’s Video (1992)

Meet the key characters of Benny’s Video (1992), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Benny (Arno Frisch)

A teenage boy obsessed with film recordings and violence. He treats cameras as extensions of his will, filming daily life and the murder he commits. He remains eerily calm after the killing, using video as a way to process the world around him.

🎭 Drama 🧠 Psychological 🔎 Observation

Georg (Ulrich Mühe)

Benny's father, emotionally distant and controlling. He confronts Benny over trivial matters and drives the family toward a pragmatic, detached response to the crisis. He participates in the plan to dispose of the body, highlighting a cold approach to consequences.

🧭 Family ⛏️ Authority 🔎 Observation

Anna (Angela Winkler)

Benny's mother, emotionally absent yet complicit in the family’s response. She takes Benny on a vacation to Egypt to escape the aftermath and later participates in cleaning up the evidence. Her actions reveal a fragile balance between care and detachment.

🛡️ Family 🗺️ Travel 🧊 Detachment

Girl (Ingrid Stassner)

The girl Benny invites home after meeting outside the video store. She becomes the victim of Benny's violence, a catalyst that exposes his clinical approach to killing. Her presence underscores the randomness and chilling nature of his actions.

🚺 Female ❗ Victim 🎬 Film Within Film

Ricci (Stefan Polasek)

A supporting character whose role is not detailed in the summary, present in the events but not central to the main act.

👥 Supporting 🕵️‍♂️ Minor Role

Evi (Stephanie Brehme)

Benny's sister; part of the family unit surrounding the events, though the summary provides no detailed traits.

👧 Sibling 🏡 Family

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:13

Major Themes – Benny’s Video (1992)

Explore the central themes of Benny’s Video (1992), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

👁️ Voyeurism

Benny's fixation with filming and watching violence turns ordinary moments into objects of observation. The camera becomes an instrument of power, allowing him to explore disturbing behavior from a safe distance. The film critiques how media consumption can detach viewers from empathy.

🧭 Family Detachment

Georg and Anna are emotionally distant, treating Benny's hobby as a curiosity rather than a warning. The lack of genuine connection creates a climate where harmful behavior can grow without heartfelt intervention. Their pragmatic handling of consequences reveals a chilling, transactional dynamic.

⚖️ Moral Ambiguity

The family debates how to respond to the crime with little remorse, blurring lines between guilt and duty. Benny's nonchalant explanations and his parents' calculated actions invite the audience to question responsibility. The plot sustains doubt about who truly bears accountability.

🧪 Normalization of Violence

Violence is folded into routine moments—home videos, parties, and cleanup—making disturbing acts seem ordinary. The characters gradually desensitize to harm within their own home. The film shows how exposure to violence can permeate personal relationships and everyday life.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:13

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Benny’s Video Summary

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Benny’s Video Summary

Benny’s Video Timeline

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Benny’s Video Timeline

More About Benny’s Video

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More About Benny’s Video

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