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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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Gabrielle H

I love this movie, I think it’s good. It has a ton of bad ratings mostly for its pacing and I can agree that the pacing isn’t that good, it needs to be shorter. I am IN LOVE with psychological films and this was allllll that. Being delved into the mind of a serial killer and his perverted view on art and gruesomeness was fantastic, not to mention Matt Dillon is a fabulous actor and played the role perfectly, almost reminding me of a Ted Bundy-like story. Beautifully filmed, beautifully written, beautifully gruesome.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/28/25

Full Review

Joe S

I had to watch this film over 2 days because of boredom. It couldn't hold my attention. The scenes were far too long. The movie seems more focused on being provocative than artistic. I think some of the problem is with Matt Dillon's acting. I think of a serial killer as having quirks that they hide. Other than trying to mimic facial expressions, he seems like a bored guy who just goes through the motions. A quarter of this film could have been cut by tightening the time of the scenes

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/18/25

Full Review

bao s

I don't think I want to live in his house, but definitely worth a tour..

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/15/25

Full Review

W C S

If I may be so bold: a gently Kafkaesque, esoteric masterpiece.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/05/25

Full Review

Marc C

I dug it. It is really intellectual movie with a sense of humor. Dillon successfully bridged the gap between drama and comedy. The last scene is laughable, unless you don't get that they are playing with Dillon's era. The last ten minutes of the movie are so ABC after school special-istice it had to be contrived

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/18/25

Full Review

Alberto S

O filme realmente se supera no que se promete a fazer, talvez o começo seja um pouco devagar porém, a partir da cena da Van o filme realmente cumpre com o seu propósito, um show de horror muito bem feito, um filme perturbador porém muito bem feito, a narração é um diferencial incrível, o cinismo que o ator principal tem com os seus próprios atos e a sua visão deturpada sobre a morte e a "artificacão" de corpos e métodos de matar cria um ambiente bem tenebroso, o psicológico do personagen principal é algo muito bem definido no filme, um ser tenebroso e sem amor algum a vida (pelo menos não a dos outros) realmente um show de horror muito bem feito, bom o suficiente para ver só uma vez.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/06/25

Full Review

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Lars von Trier

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Matt Dillon

Jack

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The House That Jack Built: International Trailer 1

2:43

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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: Copenhagen Film Fund, Eurimages, Zentropa Entertainment, Film i Väst, 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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