The House That Jack Built (2018)

The story follows Jack, a highly intelligent serial killer, over the course of twelve years, and depicts the murders that really develop his inner madman.

Director:

Lars von Trier

Writers:

Lars von Trier, Jenle Hallund (based on idea by)

Stars:

Matt Dillon, Bruno Ganz, Uma Thurman

11 wins & 20 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Matt Dillon	...	Jack
Bruno Ganz	...	Verge
Uma Thurman	...	Lady 1
Siobhan Fallon Hogan	...	Lady 2
Sofie Gråbøl	...	Lady 3
Riley Keough	...	Simple
Jeremy Davies	...	Al
Jack McKenzie	...	Sonny
Mathias Hjelm	...	Glenn
Ed Speleers	...	Ed - Police Officer 2 (as Edward Spleers)
Emil Tholstrup	...	Young Jack
Marijana Jankovic	...	Female Student
Carina Skenhede	...	Little Old Lady
Rocco Day	...	Grumpy
Cohen Day	...	George

Storyline

USA in the 1970s. We follow the highly intelligent Jack over a span of 12 years and are introduced to the murders that define Jack's development as a serial killer. We experience the story from Jack's point of view, while he postulates each murder is an artwork in itself. As the inevitable police intervention is drawing nearer, he is taking greater and greater risks in his attempt to create the ultimate artwork. Along the way we experience Jack's descriptions of his personal condition, problems and thoughts through a recurring conversation with the unknown Verge - a grotesque mixture of sophistry mixed with an almost childlike self-pity and psychopathic explanations. The House That Jack Built is a dark and sinister story, yet presented through a philosophical and occasional humorous tale.

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Plot Keywords:

serial killer | psychopath | severed breast | psychopathic murderer | building a house | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Horror | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong disturbing violence/sadistic behavior, grisly images, language, and nudity.

Did You Know?

Trivia

The scene involving the main character's mutilation of a duckling when he was a child was done with the help of special effects, and the duckling was not harmed. Despite this, there was considerable audience backlash toward this scene, but PETA has defended the film in a statement, praising its accurate portrayal of the link between adolescent animal abuse and psychopathy. Animal cruelty is actually known to be a common trait among serial murderers, especially when they are young.

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Goofs

In the closing credits, "Miscellaneons Crew" can be seen.

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Quotes

Jack: Verge?
Verge: I'm here, Jack.
[pause]
Jack: I don't feel so good Verge. There's a sour taste in my mouth.
Verge: You want me to show you the way to the next whisky bar?

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Alternate Versions

An R-rated version exists alongside the unrated 'director's cut'. The UK/Irish release is of the unrated version, as confirmed by the press invitation.

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Connections

Features The Element of Crime (1984)

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Soundtracks

Hit The Road Jack
Composed by Percy Mayfield
Arranged by Charles Giordano (as Charlie Giordano)
Performed by David Johansen (uncredited)

User Reviews

We are born wet, naked and hungry. Then things could get worse...if you happen to meet up with Jack

Matt Dillon should not have any difficulty in scaring the beejeebies out of his audience by getting under your skin, literally and figuratively. At a recorded (longer than most feature films) run time of 155 minutes, don't be surprised if a few of your fellow movie goers abruptly leave the screening before Jack's series of mutilations and serial murders ends. As a suspense film that runs for over 2 1/2 hours, it is obviously hard for the novice fan of any serial killer themed film to hang in there without heaving up their popcorn, or dampening their seat with a puddle in their pants.

Danish born Writer/Director Lars von Trier is no slouch when it comes to captivating an audience's attention. He has been engaged in film making for close to 40 years now and with a combination of mastering his dreamlike visual effects and maintaining his key subjects persona with abnormal behaviors (as is the case with our serial killer Jack) that intrigue his audience to wonder "what's to come next?"

Details

Official Sites:

Curzon Artificial Eye [United Kingdom] Les Films du Losange [France]

Country:

Denmark France Sweden Germany Belgium Tunisia

Language:

English German Italian

Release Date:

17 October 2018 (France)

Also Known As:

The House That Jack Built

Filming Locations:

Copenhagen, Denmark

Box Office

Budget:

EUR8,700,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$34,273, 16 December 2018

Gross USA:

$258,106

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$3,081,913

Company Credits

Production Co:

Zentropa Entertainments, Centre National du Cinéma et de l'Image, Copenhagen Film Fund

Technical Specs

Runtime:

152 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color Black and White (archive footage)

Aspect Ratio:

2.39:1