A Cycle
A Cycle

Movie spotlight

A Cycle

2018
Movie
15 min
English

This bilingual short drama follows two German female artists stuck in a dysfunctional relationship. They escape to NYC committing to yet another ‘fresh start’ in hopes of saving both their relationship and their failing film project, only to find themselves right back to where they started from.

Insights

IMDb6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes56%
Metacritic52/100
Google Users56%
Director: Lars Von TrierGenres: Drama, Horror, Art House

Plot Summary

The film chronicles the life of Jack, an intelligent and highly disturbed man who considers himself a master artist. Over a twelve-year period in 1970s America, Jack meticulously plans and executes a series of murders, viewing each act as a distinct work of art. He grapples with his own psyche, his relationships with women, and the challenges of his self-proclaimed profession.

Critical Reception

The House That Jack Built received a highly polarized reception. While some critics praised its ambition, dark humor, and Matt Dillon's performance, many found it gratuitously violent, misogynistic, and self-indulgent. Its graphic content and Von Trier's confrontational style generated significant controversy.

What Reviewers Say

  • Visually striking and thematically ambitious, but ultimately a challenging and often repellent viewing experience.

  • Matt Dillon delivers a strong performance as the complex and disturbing protagonist.

  • The film's graphic violence and philosophical meandering proved divisive among critics.

Google audience: Audience reviews are split, with many finding the film disturbing and overly violent, while others appreciated its dark artistic vision and Von Trier's signature provocative style.

Fun Fact

The film's controversial nature led to walkouts at its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review