THE BUNNY GAME is an US independent feature in which a female prostitute hitches a lift with a truck driver. The truck driver kidnaps the woman, restrains and forcibly strips her, and proceeds to physically and sexually abuse and humiliate her.

In making a decision as to whether a video work is suitable for classification, the BBFC applies the criteria set out in its current Classification Guidelines, published in 2009. These are the result of an extensive process of public consultation and research and reflect the balance of media effects research, the requirements of UK law and the attitudes of the UK public. The BBFC's Guidelines clearly set out the BBFC's serious concerns about the portrayal of violence, especially when the violence is sexual or sexualised, but also when depictions portray or encourage callousness towards victims, aggressive attitudes, or taking pleasure in the pain or humiliation of others. Even at the adults-only category of '18', the Guidelines make clear that exceptions to the principle of free adult choice include any material or treatment which "appears to the BBFC to risk harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, to society - for example, any detailed portrayal of violent or dangerous acts....This may include portrayals of sexual or sexualised violence which might, for example, eroticise or endorse sexual assault".

The abuse of the kidnapped woman takes up the greater part of THE BUNNY GAME. The principal focus of the work is the unremitting sexual and physical abuse of a helpless woman, as well as the sadistic and sexual pleasure the man derive from this. The emphasis on the woman's nudity tends to eroticise what is shown while aspects of the work such as the lack of explanation of the events depicted, and the stylistic treatment, may encourage some viewers to enjoy and share in the man’s callousness and the pleasure he takes in the woman’s pain and humiliation.

It is the carefully considered view of the BBFC that to issue a certificate to THE BUNNY GAME, even if confined to adults, would be inconsistent with the Guidelines, would risk potential harm within the terms of the Video Recordings Act, and would accordingly be unacceptable to the public.

The BBFC considered whether the issue could be dealt with through cuts. However, the pervasiveness of the abuse in THE BUNNY GAME makes it very difficult to deal with. The work is therefore refused a certificate. If the company would like to attempt to cut this work in order to submit it in a reduced form, they are entitled to do so, but the Board can offer no assurances that such re-editing would be successful.