New Showbiz

You are here:
The House That Jack Built

The House That Jack Built

2018

R

Director

Lars von Trier

Runtime

152 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

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.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

4.1/10

Fair


Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Minimal

The film lacks LGBTQ+ characters or non-heteronormative identities. The narrative focuses entirely on the protagonist's internal philosophy and his dialogue with Verge.

Gender Representation

Minimal

Female characters function primarily as passive subjects for the protagonist's violence. Masculinity is portrayed as a predatory, destructive force operating outside social accountability.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Minimal

The cast is predominantly white and lacks diverse ethnic backgrounds. The characters do not possess the intersectional depth needed to disrupt the film's homogeneous demographic.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Excellent

The film aggressively deconstructs Western institutions and Christian morality. It replaces communal ethics with a radical, individualistic, and nihilistic philosophical framework.

Disability Representation

Minimal

There is no meaningful depiction of physical or invisible disabilities. The story does not engage with neurodivergence or disability as part of character identity.

Strengths

  • Aggressively dismantles traditional Western moral and religious frameworks.
  • Uses a sophisticated, postmodern lens to critique established societal structures.
  • Provides a radical deconstruction of conventional justice and social ethics.

Areas for Improvement

  • Lacks any meaningful representation of LGBTQ+ identities or queer narratives.
  • Fails to include diverse racial or ethnic backgrounds within the cast.
  • Provides no engagement with physical or neurodivergent disability representation.

AI Analysis

Lars von Trier’s work is defined by its systemic challenge to the ordered world rather than inclusive casting. The film succeeds in its cultural deconstruction, using a postmodern lens to dismantle traditional Western moral and religious hierarchies. However, the film fails significantly in demographic representation. It relies on a homogeneous, predominantly white cast and offers almost no visibility for LGBTQ+ or disabled individuals. The gender dynamics are also highly skewed, treating women as mere canvases for the protagonist's crimes. Ultimately, the film is a study in destruction and creation that prioritizes philosophical subversion over social diversity.

How are these scores produced? →

Featured in

  • Best Religious & Cultural Representation in Film
  • Religious & Cultural Representation in Drama

Similar Movies

Movie poster for The Zodiac

The Zodiac

2005

No user ratings available yet
Diversity score: 3.0 out of 10

Rate this Movie

No rating selected
Use arrow keys to select a rating from 1 to 5 stars
Optional text review, maximum 2000 characters
Tip: Wrap spoilers with ||double pipes|| to hide them
0/2000 characters
You must be signed in to submit a rating

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts on this movie!

Use the rating form above to leave a star rating and optional review.