Reindeer Games (alternatively titled Deception)[2] is a 2000 American action thriller film directed by John Frankenheimer in his final feature directorial outing before his 2002 death.

It stars Ben Affleck, Charlize Theron, Gary Sinise, Dennis Farina, James Frain, Donal Logue, Danny Trejo, and Clarence Williams III.

The film revolves around ex-convict Rudy Duncan, who is dragged into a situation against his will: he must help a group of thieves rob a casino in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, or he will be killed.

He tells Rudy that the gang, composed of Pug, Merlin, and Jumpy, are planning to rob a casino where Nick used to work before going to prison.

Rudy devises a robbery plan based on Nick's prison cell stories, and tells Gabriel the biggest loot is in the "PowWow safe" in manager Jack Bangs's office.

At the casino Rudy, dressed as a cowboy, snoops around to see any changes, and is almost caught by Jack Bangs but escapes by switching clothes with a college student.

Rudy picks up the cash and begins distributing it in mailboxes on the way home to Sidnaw, where he joins his family for Christmas dinner admitting to himself that he was never one for the holidays until now.

The film was set in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan but was shot in Vancouver and Prince George, British Columbia, Canada.

[3] Vin Diesel was originally cast as Pug, but had disagreements with John Frankenheimer in relation to the script and his character that led to him leaving the project before production began.

[3] The theatrical cut of the film was released on DVD in the US on August 8, 2000, and included an audio commentary by director John Frankenheimer.

An extended director's cut, running 124 mins, was released on DVD in the US on March 27, 2001, including a new second audio commentary by Frankenheimer and additional deleted and alternate scenes.

The site's critical consensus reads: "Despite a decent cast, subpar acting and a contrived plot disappointed reviewers.