The House That Jack Built
The House That Jack Built

Movie spotlight

The House That Jack Built

2018
Movie
152 min
English

Failed architect, engineer and vicious murderer Jack narrates the details of some of his most elaborately orchestrated crimes, each of them a towering piece of art that defines his life's work as a serial killer for twelve years.

Insights

IMDb6.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes56%
Metacritic52/100
Google Users53%
Director: Lars von TrierGenres: Horror, Drama, Thriller

Plot Summary

In 1970s America, Jack, a highly intelligent and meticulous serial killer, recounts his meticulously planned and increasingly elaborate murders over a 12-year period. He views each murder as a work of art, justifying his actions through philosophical musings and a desire to create his ultimate masterpiece, a house built from the victims themselves. Aiding him in his dark endeavors is the ever-present voice of Verge, a character who acts as his guide and interrogator.

Critical Reception

Lars von Trier's 'The House That Jack Built' was met with highly polarized reactions, characteristic of the director's provocative style. While some critics praised its artistic ambition, dark humor, and Matt Dillon's performance, many others found it gratuitously violent, misogynistic, and overly long, leading to walkouts at its premiere.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its artistic ambition and dark, albeit disturbing, humor.

  • Criticized for its excessive gore, misogynistic themes, and meandering narrative.

  • Matt Dillon's performance as the titular killer received notable recognition.

Google audience: Audience reviews are divided. Many found the film to be artistically challenging and thought-provoking, appreciating the dark humor and Matt Dillon's performance. However, a significant portion of viewers were repulsed by the extreme violence and thematic content, deeming it gratuitous and difficult to watch.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival.

Fun Fact

During the Cannes Film Festival premiere, a significant number of audience members reportedly walked out of the screening due to the film's graphic content.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
Stephen Campbell

Stephen Campbell

_**Self-indulgent? Absolutely. Disturbing? Partly. Hilarious? Definitely**_ > _Jack is a part of me. But I'm not a psychopath. I'm pretty sure. I've been diagnosed since I was six. So I think I'm safe to be with._ - Lars von Trier; "L...

LachieD

LachieD

Another film by Lars von Trier done very much in the flavor of his previous picture, Nymphomaniac. It is, in my opinion, much less uneven and messy, but still too undisciplined to feel fully realized and satisfying. It ranges from brilliant...