There’s a common list of films that people attribute as the “most disturbing films of all time”. While the content in the films can be disturbing or wild, I find the idea of these “disturbing films” lists to be a bit trite. I’ve definitely checked out the disturbing films iceberg and at the bottom there are truly heinous things that shouldn’t exist, but the ones that are discussed the most don’t fall into that category. This concept tied well into the film itself, but I will get to that in a bit. I find these lists to not be particularly helpful or useful in some cases for two reasons. One of those reasons being that art and what scares people is quite subjective. The other reason for that, which is the stronger point being that it seems like when people talk about these “disturbing films”, they’re only looking at the surface level of these films. The viewers get caught up on the violence or the overall wild energy of the piece and don’t look deeper into what the film means or the purpose behind why the filmmaker made it.
This is where Lars Von Trier’s The House That Jack Built comes into play. Similar to the reception of his previous works, the film premiered at Cannes to a wave of walkouts. This caused the film to gain quite a reputation or an infamy that has led to being viewed the way that it is currently. The concept of walkout culture has enough depth to warrant its own article, but at the base of it all, some of these walkouts seem like marketing more than anything. After certain films had massive walkouts back in the day, it seems like more movies hope for it to happen to them as well because of the reputation that is garnered from such an achievement. On the surface, the film is trying to push people’s buttons and make them feel certain ways like all of Trier’s other works. The film is also similar to his previous films as it has something interesting to say beneath all the crazy that is quite through provoking and human, but many won’t look past the violence and the explicit content to get to that conclusion.
The House that Jack Built follows Jack, a perfectionist serial killer who wants to make a name for himself. We follow him as he tells his story and his most cherished “murders” as he makes his way down to Hell with a spirit named Verge. To get the review out of the way before the analysis, this film is quite good. I would consider it to be one of Trier’s best, but I would probably still but Antichrist over this one based on a myriad of things. The performance from Matt Dillon is specifically fantastic as Dillon is known for more comedic performances and more down to earth projects. In every one of Lars’ films, he definitely gives his performers a lot to play with and it often leads to career best work (in my opinion). We hear the discussion between the two in between and during the five “murders” and that gives an interesting vibe to the film. It’s basically just one train of thought that keeps going until the epilogue. The film’s editing also contributes to the discussion feeling that this film emanates. He will be in the middle of a moment and Verge cuts him off to ask him something that will lead into a montage that connects to Jack’s thought process on a certain matter. The film might be over the place to many, but strong writing and a fantastic performance from Matt Dillon makes it worth the experience.
Now that I got the review out of the way, let’s get into the reasons I see this as more than just a “disturbing or shocking” film. It’s no secret to any film fans in the know that Von Trier doesn’t have the best reputation. In his attempt to shock, he sometimes offends. The best example of this is during the Melancholia Q&A at Cannes that got him kicked from the event until House was about to be released. With his films he’s clearly trying to make a point about certain things but his sensibilities are definitely not for everyone. Some see Nymphomaniac as just porn, but it’s clear to anyone looking deeper that it’s a harrowing depiction of addiction and what that could do to a person. Anyone who decided to look deeper into House that Jack Built can see that it’s definitely a film about him and his body of work. Jack is definitely a representation of Trier as Jack sees his killings as a body of work. Throughout the film, the pair discuss what could be considered art and what can’t, which is a discussion point that many have had about horror films, specifically the more extreme ones since the beginning. As the film goes on Jack begins to gain a reputation where he’s named “Mr Sophistication”. In my mind, I’d like to believe that the nickname is Trier discussing how he’s gained a reputation over the years that has made him an auteur in some people’s eyes but some also see his work as trashy and offensive.
Getting into the twist of the film, it is revealed that throughout the film he has been trying to build a house, but he keeps messing it up. At the end of the film before he goes to hell, he builds a house with Verge out of the bodies of the people that he has killed throughout the years. He decides to make a house out of the depravity instead of trying to make a normal house out of wood and nails. I see this as a representation of Trier’s body of art. He as a filmmaker never succeeded making the regular run of the mill films, but once he began making these provocative works, it started to click with him. Yes, Jack built a house out of the death that he has caused, but he still built a house. Very similar concept to how Trier has made some shocking films in his body of work, but it’s still a body of work.
The biggest point that I feel is important to note is the hook of why this film is infamous. There’s an unrated cut (or an NC-17 cut) of the film that is about 30 seconds longer. All it cuts out is two scenes of violence towards two different people. When you step back and see the differences between the two cuts and how truly small the difference actually is, it starts to solidify what the film is trying to say. The controversy and the two cuts almost strengthen the narrative of the piece. Trier is asking the question of where is the line when it comes to what is art and what isn’t. The violence in the film is the point itself. His other films ask this same question about the metaphorical line in the sand but this is the only one of his works where it’s actually the message of the film.
To put it simply, The House That Jack Built is Lars Von Trier’s view on his career as a provocateur and a filmmaker and how he sees the reactions from his audiences. It’s quite a shame that this film is forever locked to a “most disturbing films of all time” mindset because it’s quite a good film and it’s says so much about the world of art specifically the type of art that tends to horrify and disturb. I wish more people would watch this film and see the striking commentary that it makes instead of just viewing it as a “shock film”. The film itself deserves much more than that, but alas, the reputation the film has garnered is only bringing home the point of the piece even more.
The Rating
