The House That Jack Built (2018) is a provocative and disturbing psychological horror film written and directed by Lars von Trier. Known for his boundary-pushing cinematic style, von Trier crafts a story that is both an exploration of human depravity and a philosophical meditation on the nature of art, violence, and the human condition. Starring Matt Dillon, Bruno Ganz, Uma Thurman, Siobhan Fallon Hogan, Sofie Gråbøl, Riley Keough, and Jeremy Davies, the film follows the life of Jack, a highly intelligent but deeply disturbed man, whose penchant for violence leads him to commit a series of brutal murders.

At the center of the film is Jack, played with chilling intensity by Matt Dillon. Jack is a self-proclaimed “artist” who views his murders as a form of creative expression. As he reflects on his life and his acts of violence, he presents each murder as a step toward the construction of his “masterpiece,” the metaphorical “house” he builds from the suffering of his victims. Dillon’s performance is unsettling, capturing the cold rationality and inner turmoil of a man who believes he is transcending societal norms in the pursuit of artistic perfection. His portrayal of Jack is both compelling and repulsive, offering a glimpse into the mind of a person detached from morality and empathy.