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United States, 1970. Jack is a psychopathic engineer with obsessive-compulsive tendencies. After killing a woman who had asked him for help on the street, he convinces himself that he must keep killing to achieve perfection. Each of his murders must be a work of art, increasingly complex and ingenious. Thus begins a chess game with the police, lasting twelve years, led by the most cunning and ruthless serial killer.
SOME SMALL SPOILERS INCLUDED
Alternative title (at least for the first part): "Story of a Clumsy Serial Killer". At first glance, it may seem like a mere exercise in style, but Lars Von Trier's latest work is a chilling portrait of the darkest aspects of the human soul. The Danish director delves into the deep unconscious of Jack, a seemingly normal, intelligent yet tormented individual, full of contradictions and weaknesses, perpetually searching for the perfect murder, initially successful more by pure luck and then increasingly gaining experience in killing, to recreate images of death/art and a way to feel better about himself.
Dark humor is heavily present; some sequences are truly amusing, considering that everything is part of the actions of a serial killer. It makes one wonder if we aren't a bit sadistic, especially those of us who have appreciated a divisive way of filmmaking, because "The House Of Jack Built" leaves no room for half measures. Just think of the reception at Cannes, where some left the theater. But why go if you know the screening is "the story of a serial killer directed by Lars Von Trier?" Visibility by chance? Not everyone, but some certainly.
Clichés are not at home in Von Trier's film. Abstain if you're looking for something to pass the time, "The House of Jack Built" does something different, something intimate, just think of the camera, always close to the protagonist, Jack, who over time almost wants to be caught, until it becomes clear that the world/society either cannot or simply doesn't want to stop him. He is a serial killer, but what are we? We remain in our little garden, that's enough for us. There could be a world war in front of us, but that doesn't mean we will notice it.
Then Matt Dillon as the protagonist delivers one of his best performances in recent years, if not ever (he gives his best in non-Hollywood productions). In the cast, in a small but important role are also Uma Thurman and Bruno Ganz as a sort of Virgil (not by chance named Verge) who guides Jack to hell.
A 360-degree portrait, as rarely seen in today's scene. Not for everyone (it will scarcely see the light of Italian theaters), certainly for strong stomachs. But the goal is hit Mr. Von Trier, at least for me.
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