The House That Jack Built

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2:43

The House That Jack Built

R

Released Dec 14, 2018

2h 31m

Mystery & Thriller

Crime

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

59%

Tomatometer

137 Reviews

65%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

In five episodes, failed architect and vicious sociopath Jack recounts his elaborately orchestrated murders -- each, as he views them, a towering work of art that defines his life's work as a serial killer in the Pacific Northwest.

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Critics Consensus

The House That Jack Built presents writer-director Lars von Trier at his most proudly uncompromising: hard to ignore, and for many viewers, just as difficult to digest.

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Emma Stefansky

Slate

Von Trier may be a provocateur, but his brand of provocation seems to be growing stale.

Apr 8, 2019

Full Review

David Stratton

The Australian

The violence in The House That Jack Built is horrific...you've been warned.

Rated: 1/5

Mar 8, 2019

Full Review

Paul Byrnes

Sydney Morning Herald

If this shrill, manipulative, sledge-hammer allegory is right for our times, give me Dante any day. Von Trier has certainly done better, but never worse.

Rated: 2/5

Mar 5, 2019

Full Review

Sarah Vincent

Sarah G Vincent Views

If you enjoy serial killer movies, do not watch The House That Jack Built expecting traditional, satisfying fare. If you are a von Trier fan, he has done better work, and something in this film feels lacking.

Jun 12, 2024

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

It's precisely because I see the merits of his form that I find its overly mindful digressions into self-indulgence tiresome.

Rated: 2/4

Mar 4, 2022

Full Review

Emiliano Basile

EscribiendoCine

In this ending, Lars von Trier takes another step towards the abyss, demonstrating his mastery of the story. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 6/10

Nov 4, 2021

Full Review

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Ian H

Disappeared up it's own backside after a promising start. Some very dark moments

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

12/16/24

Full Review

Sams K

It was very cool until the ending that it's too much allegorical. I think it's a very deep introspection of Von Trier, a well-done movie but it's not what I would have wanted to see.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

11/14/24

Full Review

Mason M

Lars Von Trier has done it again, he's one of my favorite directors because his films leave me amazed again and again, this is not his best work, but it was no exception. The House That Jack Built is probably Von Trier's most grand and self-indulgent film, and that does this film favors. Matt Dillon does a great performance as Jack, and this film's writing was also top notch, with great dialogue and great character building that left me thoroughly entertained. Von Trier has definitely made better, but it's nice to know that he's still got it.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/17/24

Full Review

Audience Member

It’s actually a pretty good movie overall, they just added way more disturbing content than what was needed. The acting is extremely well performed by Matt Dillon as Jack, but there are just too many violent and disturbing scenes, especially incident 3. If the movie wasn’t so dark, it probably would have at least been nominated for some Academy Awards.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/22/24

Full Review

Oaklee D

Watched it on my sisters recommendation and loved it, makes you feel dread throughout.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/06/24

Full Review

Teddy B

The 'philosophical' elements of this movie involving Jack's psyche come across pretension rather than genuine thoughtfulness. Jack just becomes much more irredeemable and narcissistic as the film goes along (that's another problem entirely). The ending falls victim to this pretension, moving at an almost torturous pace. The images look pretty but signify near nothing. The film doesn't become especially exploitative or shocking until that infamous '3rd Incident', when, oddly, it becomes much more thrilling and interesting (until the epilogue). Lars Von Trier doesn't effectively connect the threads of this elaborate storyline (for example, Jack focusing on the construction of his house. The title statement of the film is barely mentioned), but as individual vignettes the stories told are very interesting and definitely original...

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/21/24

Full Review

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Lars von Trier

Director

Matt Dillon

Jack

Bruno Ganz

Verge

Uma Thurman

Lady 1

Siobhan Fallon Hogan

Lady 2

Sofie Gråbøl

Lady 3

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Synopsis

In five episodes, failed architect and vicious sociopath Jack recounts his elaborately orchestrated murders -- each, as he views them, a towering work of art that defines his life's work as a serial killer in the Pacific Northwest.

Director: Lars von Trier
Producer: Louise Vesth
Screenwriter: Lars von Trier
Distributor: IFC Films
Production Co: Film i Väst, Zentropa Entertainment, Eurimages, Copenhagen Film Fund, Film und Medien Stiftung NRW
Rating: R (Language|Grisly Images|Nudity|Sadistic Behavior|Strong Disturbing Violence)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 14, 2018, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 31, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA): $253.5K
Runtime: 2h 31m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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