Spoilers don’t think this is about an actual building.

Let’s try something riskier this time. This one is the creation of Lars Von Trier, a filmmaker known to create shock and scandal on both real life and in film. If you can’t separate the author/artist from their craft, then I’d understand if you skip this one. Even I have my limits. That being said, the film itself can be rather cold and cruel in the way that it follows.. Well, this house is not going to build itself. Let’s begin.

(Credit: IFC Films)

The House That Jack Built (2018) is written and directed by Lars Von Trier. Jack (Matt Dillon) has failed at his dream of being an architect, so he’s settled for being an engineer. To quell his passion for art in a sociopathic vision, he’s also a serial killer. We met him as he’s narrating five incidents of his life to Verge (Bruno Ganz). You’ll excuse me if I don’t tell recount them to you, but the discovery process as well as the shocking acts that follow are precisely what constitutes a rather solid, yet shocking, film.

The violence and bloodshed are not as gratuitous as other horror films, but it doesn’t shy from showing it. Women, children and animals are not safe either. The film itself has a grainy quality and a retro style that feels like it’s from the 60s-70s. The camera itself is usually still, but you’ll see it moving as Jack becomes vicious or nervous, further enhancing the sense that we’re watching this from his point of view. Jack himself has an obvious desire to get caught. At some point he bangs on the hood of a police cruiser confessing to killing people and gets ignored because he’s drunk – or perhaps that was just another lie fashioned by his biased storytelling.

It works rather brutally. Jack’s going down a hole, and he’s going to face literal condemnation. And you can see his flawed narration as we meet victims that seem to almost encourage him to show his evil face. This film will not be for everyone because of the level of violence, but do remember we’re in a horror film – one that is particularly scary because of how natural murder comes to our protagonist. Matt Dillon does a stellar performance as the sometimes cold, sometimes impulsive but always vicious Jack.

Strongly recommended for movie fans that are not easily shocked. This is not the usual fun horror, but the one that hits closer to home. Not for all audiences as it’s horror without the usual trappings of jumpscares and scary background music. If not the whole film, the ethereal ending will be polarizing to many. Very much worth a watch for the ones that can stomach it.

That will do for now.