The House That Jack Built (2018)
Kernel Score: 81% · 2,996 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Drama, Horror, Crime, Thriller
Released: 2018-10-04
Runtime: 152 minutes
Is The House That Jack Built worth watching?
Depends on your taste. Lars von Trier's film follows a killer who sees his murders as art. It is deliberately provocative, extremely graphic in places and polarising; some find it brilliant, others find it unbearable.
Watch it if you
- are a von Trier fan
- can handle extreme violence
- like dark, challenging cinema
Skip it if you
- dislike graphic violence or cruelty
- want a standard serial-killer thriller
Best for: Brave solo watch
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch The House That Jack Built
- Stream: Philo, AMC+, Shudder, Sundance Now, Shudder Apple TV channel
- Free with ads: Kanopy, The Roku Channel, Tubi
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango At Home
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
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.
The House That Jack Built parents' guide: ages 16+
Parents need to know that The House That Jack Built is an extremely graphic R-rated film narrated by a serial killer detailing his murders.
- Violence & scariness: Intense — Extremely graphic and disturbing violence including child murder, animal mutilation, and detailed serial-killer content per keywords and reviews.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like The House That Jack Built
If you liked The House That Jack Built, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Dogville (2003) — 87%: Von Trier's bleak, stagey study of cruelty
- Breaking the Waves (1996) — 86%: Von Trier's emotionally devastating drama
- Dancer in the Dark (2000) — 87%: Von Trier's most heartbreaking film
- Funny Games (1997) — 81%: Cold, confrontational film about violence and its audience
- Se7en (1995) — 92%: The classic dark serial-killer thriller
- Europa (1991) — 82%: Von Trier's earlier, strikingly stylised film
Director
Cast
- Matt Dillon as Jack
- Bruno Ganz as Verge
- Uma Thurman as Lady 1
- Siobhan Fallon Hogan as Lady 2
- Sofie Gråbøl as Lady 3
- Riley Keough as Simple
- Jeremy Davies as Al
- Jack McKenzie as Sonny
- Mathias Hjelm as Glenn
- Ed Speleers as Ed - Police Officer 2
The House That Jack Built FAQ
Is The House That Jack Built worth watching?
Depends on your taste. Lars von Trier's film follows a killer who sees his murders as art. It is deliberately provocative, extremely graphic in places and polarising; some find it brilliant, others find it unbearable.
Where can I watch The House That Jack Built?
In the US you can stream The House That Jack Built on Philo, AMC+, Shudder, Sundance Now and Shudder Apple TV channel, watch it free with ads on Kanopy, The Roku Channel and Tubi and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV and Fandango At Home.
Is The House That Jack Built OK for kids?
The House That Jack Built is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 16+. Parents need to know that The House That Jack Built is an extremely graphic R-rated film narrated by a serial killer detailing his murders.
What movies are like The House That Jack Built?
If you liked The House That Jack Built, try Dogville, Breaking the Waves, Dancer in the Dark and Funny Games.