Directed by
Lars von Trier
Made by
IFC Films
Discover the intricate plot of The House That Jack Built (2018). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.
The narrative centers on Jack, a serial killer with an artistic flair, as he operates over a span of twelve years, showcasing the evolution of his heinous acts. Throughout this journey, he engages in philosophical dialogues with Verge, delving into themes of ethics and his own worldview.
1st Incident
While driving, Jack (portrayed by Matt Dillon) encounters a woman, Lady 1, stranded due to car trouble. As they share light-hearted banter, she jokingly insinuates he could be a serial killer. Agreeing to assist her, he takes her to his mechanic, Sonny. Despite fixing her tire jack, it falters again during their attempt to get the car running. As she requests another ride, Jack seizes the opportunity; he uses the tire jack to murder her before concealing her body within an industrial freezer he had secured just for such purposes. The woman’s car is hidden partially out of sight in the bushes, lying in a secluded area where the police remain oblivious, lucky enough that it sits on the border of two states – an area often ignored.
2nd Incident
Jack adopts a new guise and knocks on the door of another woman, Lady 3, claiming to be a police officer with information regarding her deceased husband’s pension. As the situation escalates, he poses as an insurance agent, offering her enticing cash promises. After luring her in, he chokes her but isn’t able to finish the job initially. When she awakens, he offers her a glass of water with disintegrated donuts in hopes of inducing choking, but to no avail. He ultimately resorts to strangulation before stabbing her directly in the heart. As the police become suspicious, represented by Ed Speleers, Jack hastily wraps her corpse and drags it to the freezer, leaving behind a gruesome trail of blood that, by sheer chance, the rain washes away later that night.
3rd Incident
In a chilling episode, Jack takes his girlfriend Jacqueline, along with her two sons, Grumpy and George, for a deceptive hunting lesson. In a calculated move, he murders the boys from a distance using a sniper rifle. Continuing his gruesome spree, he ultimately kills their mother and, leveraging his taxidermy skills, alters Grumpy’s face into a grotesquely eternal smile.
4th Incident
After meeting Jacqueline (played by Riley Keough), whom Jack dubbed “Simple” due to his perception of her naivety, he fabricates tales of his murderous exploits, claiming to have killed sixty people as the notorious “Mr. Sophistication.” Though she dismisses it as a mere boast, he makes his intentions clear by marking her with red circles, ultimately leading to her brutal demise. His depravity knows no bounds, as he goes so far as to sever and display one of her breasts on a police car, crafting the other into a grotesque wallet.
5th Incident
Jack finds himself orchestrating a macabre assembly, detaining six victims tied up in a row, intending to take them all out with a single bullet. However, misfortune hits as he discovers the bullets procured from Al aren’t suitable. Desperation drives him to a man named S.P. ([David Bailie]), with whom he has a lethal encounter, ultimately acquiring the necessary bullet. In a moment of dark irony, he dons S.P.’s red bathrobe, hoping to elude the police who are closing in. Once captured, he embarks on a violent path while constructing a makeshift house out of bodies, mirroring the chaos in his mind.
Epilogue: Katabasis
Echoing Dante’s Inferno, Verge, who is revealed to be Virgil, guides Jack through branches of Hell. In a climactic moment, Jack discovers a broken bridge leading away from the depths of despair, while Verge warns him against the risks of navigating the treacherous cliffs. Ignoring the sage advice, Jack attempts the perilous climb but ultimately plummets into the fiery depths below, sealing his fate in a world forged by his own monstrous decisions.
Track the key events of The House That Jack Built (2018) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
First Encounter with Lady 1
Jack meets a stranded woman, known as Lady 1, while driving. They share light-hearted conversation, but Jack's sinister intentions come to light when he helps her under the pretense of a mechanic, ultimately leading to her brutal murder.
Murder of Lady 1
Using a tire jack, Jack kills Lady 1 and stores her body in an industrial freezer. The secluded nature of the location keeps her disappearance under wraps, as law enforcement remains oblivious to his crime.
Deception of Lady 3
Adopting a new disguise, Jack approaches another woman, Lady 3, claiming to be a police officer. As the situation escalates, he cunningly lures her into a trap, revealing his true nature through deception and violence.
Strangulation of Lady 3
After an initial struggle, Jack resorts to choking Lady 3 before fatally stabbing her. As police grow suspicious, he hastily disposes of her body while the rain unwittingly cleans up his bloody tracks.
Murder of Jacqueline and Her Sons
Jack invites his girlfriend Jacqueline and her two sons under the guise of teaching them to hunt. Instead, he savagely murders the boys from a distance and ultimately drives a dagger into Jacqueline, highlighting his ruthless nature.
Jack's Confession to Jacqueline
After meeting Jacqueline, Jack boasts about his supposed murderous exploits, claiming to be the infamous 'Mr. Sophistication.' His obsession with depicting violence, marked by red circles around her, foreshadows her tragic fate.
Brutal Display of Jacqueline's Body
Jack's depravity reaches new heights when he severly mutilates Jacqueline's body post-murder. In a grotesque display, he attaches her breast to a police car, showcasing the unfathomable depths of his madness.
The Intended Massacre
In a brooding moment, Jack manages to capture six victims, planning to execute them with a single bullet. As he attempts to secure ammunition, he realizes that his preparation is insufficient, setting the stage for chaos.
Acquisition of Bullets
Desperately seeking bullets, Jack meets with S.P. and engages in a deadly conflict. Although he acquires the necessary ammunition, his violent tendencies attract unwanted police attention.
Final Capture and Body House
As law enforcement closes in, Jack dons S.P.'s red bathrobe in a futile attempt to escape. Ultimately captured, he spirals into further madness while constructing a grotesque house out of his victims’ bodies.
Journey Through Hell
In the epilogue, Verge, representing Virgil, guides Jack through a hellish landscape. The allegorical journey showcases Jack's reflective descent as he confronts the consequences of his heinous actions.
The Broken Bridge
During their trek, Jack discovers a precarious broken bridge that leads away from his despair. Despite Verge's warnings, he recklessly ventures forth, symbolizing his reckless disregard for life and consequence.
Plunge into Hell
Defying warnings, Jack attempts to climb the treacherous cliffs but ultimately slips, descending into the fiery depths. This act seals his faith in the hell he has created through his monstrous decisions.
Meet the characters that bring The House That Jack Built (2018) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Jack (Matt Dillon)
Jack is a charismatic and intelligent serial killer who harbors a twisted belief in his artistic vision of murder. He displays a disturbing mix of charm and brutality, engaging in philosophical dialogues while executing heinous crimes. His character evolves from a seemingly relatable outsider to a monstrous figure, embodying the darkest aspects of human nature.
Verge (Bruno Ganz)
Verge serves as Jack's philosophical counterpart, guiding him through discussions of ethics and morality. He embodies a parental figure, trying to steer Jack towards understanding the weight of his actions. Verge's character represents the contrasting moral compass amidst Jack's moral decay.
Jacqueline (Riley Keough)
Jacqueline, referred to as 'Simple' by Jack, is portrayed as naive yet drawn into Jack’s dark world. Her tragic fate at the hands of Jack emphasizes the loss of innocence and the consequences of his manipulation. Her character serves to highlight Jack's monstrous ability to deceive and harm those closest to him.
Lady 1 (Uma Thurman)
Lady 1 is portrayed as a witty and unsuspecting woman who becomes one of Jack's first victims. Her playful banter with Jack just before her tragic demise highlights the irony of her situation. Her character serves to showcase Jack's chilling ability to manipulate and ultimately destroy those who trust him.
Al (Jeremy Davies)
Al is an accomplice who unwittingly assists Jack in his violent endeavors. His character represents the sometimes blind allegiance individuals may have toward those they trust. Al's involvement underscores the enablers of violence present in society, albeit indirectly.
Uncover the settings of The House That Jack Built (2018), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.
Time period
Over a span of twelve years
The narrative unfolds over twelve years, emphasizing the gradual evolution of Jack's criminal mind and artistic façade. This time frame highlights both the calculated nature of his murders and the philosophical introspection he engages in with Verge. The timeline serves to accentuate the increasing sophistication of his methods and his moral degradation.
Location
A secluded area at the border of two states, Jack's home, Hell
The movie primarily takes place in a secluded area, where Jack commits his crimes, taking advantage of the area's obscurity to evade detection. His home serves as a grim backdrop to his heinous acts, becoming a chilling testament to his twisted psyche. The epilogue transitions into Hell, where Jack's descent reflects his moral and spiritual downfall.
Explore the core themes of The House That Jack Built (2018). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.
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Morality
The film delves into moral philosophy, questioning the nature of good and evil through Jack's interactions with Verge. Jack's justifications for his brutal actions serve as a vehicle for exploring complex ethical dilemmas. Ultimately, the film poses challenging inquiries into the human condition and the possible justifications for heinous acts.
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Violence
Violence is a central theme, vividly depicted through Jack's gruesome acts against his victims. The film examines the cold brutality of his actions, contrasting his perceived artistic sensibility with the stark reality of his crimes. This theme underscores the horror of desensitization to violence and the repercussions of such malevolent behaviors.
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Descent
Jack's journey represents a descent into madness, showcasing his gradual transformation into a serial killer. This theme is mirrored in the physical and metaphorical descent into Hell, exploring the consequences of one's choices. The culmination of his actions leads to existential reflections on fate and the inescapability of one's moral failures.
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