The House That Jack Built

"If you feel like screaming... you definitely should."

Oct 17 2018 R 2h 32m
Crime, Drama, Horror

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.

Plot

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.

Written by

Lars von Trier, Jenle Hallund

Directed by

Lars von Trier

Production Countries

Denmark, Germany, Sweden, France

Production Companies

Zentropa International Köln, Slot Machine, Film i Väst, Zentropa International Sweden, Zentropa International France, Zentropa Entertainments, Copenhagen Film Fund

Languages

Italiano, Deutsch, English

Awards

11 wins & 17 nominations total

Scores
# of Votes
102,749
Average Rating
6.8 out of 10
Metascore
42
Popularity
NA