IFC Films
- Director Lars von Trier's "The House That Jack Built," which stars Matt Dillon as a serial killer, prompted "more than 100 people" to walk out of the movie at the Cannes Film Festival Monday night.
- According to Variety, the scene that caused the initial walk-out involves Dillon's Jack shooting two small children with a hunting rifle.
- Social-media reaction was strong from those who saw the movie, with some calling it "disgusting," "torturous," and "repulsive."
Director Lars von Trier's new serial killer movie, "The House That Jack Built," caused a stir when it premiered at the Cannes Film Festival Monday night, as more than 100 people reportedly walked out of what some called a "disgusting," "unpleasant," and "torturous" movie.
According to Variety, the scene that prompted the initial walk-outs involves Matt Dillon's serial killer character, Jack, "shooting a hunting rifle at two small children, as he blows their heads off."
The movie, which also stars Uma Thurman, doesn't stop there. Based on social-media reaction, the movie depicts extremely graphic scenes of mutilations of women and children.
The response to the film on Twitter was strong, with some of those who saw (parts of) the movie saying it "should not have been made," was "pathetic," and was "two and a half hours of Hell."
Despite the controversy, though, the film still received a standing ovation from those who stayed until the end.
I've never seen anything like this at a film festival. More than 100 people have walked out of Lars von Trier's 'The House That Jack Built,' which depicts the mutilation of women and children. "It's disgusting," one woman said on her way out. #Cannes2018 pic.twitter.com/GsBGCoyHEG
- Ramin Setoodeh (@RaminSetoodeh) May 14, 2018I've just walked out of #LarsVonTrier premiere at #Cannes2018 because seeing children being shot and killed is not art or entertainment
- Charlie Angela (@CharlieAJ) May 14, 2018Lars von Trier's 'The House That Jack Built' was one of the most unpleasant movie-going experiences of my life. #Cannes2018
- Ramin Setoodeh (@RaminSetoodeh) May 14, 2018The House That Jack Built feels like a suicide note. #Cannes2018
- Robbie Collin (@robbiereviews) May 14, 2018Just left Lars Von Trier's The House that Jack Built.
Gross. Pretentious. Vomitive. Torturous. Pathetic. #Cannes2018
- The Oscar Predictor (@OscarPredictor) May 14, 2018I lasted 90 minutes into THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT because I felt the law of diminishing returns kicking in & realized I would much rather use the time to get to work on writing about the terrific BLACKKKLANSMAN. Life is short! Spend it on what matters.
- Stephanie Zacharek (@szacharek) May 15, 2018"The House That Jack Built" is the most provocative and repuslive film Lars von Trier has ever done, and that's saying something. #Cannes2018
- Jordan Ruimy (@mrRuimy) May 15, 2018#LarsVonTrier @Festival_Cannes with #TheHouseThatJackBuilt is Two and a half hours of #Hell
- Baz Bamigboye (@BazBam) May 14, 2018Talked to someone who walked out of the Lars von Trier film at Cannes: "He mutilates Riley Keough, he mutilates children... and we are all there in formal dress expected to watch it?"
- Kyle Buchanan (@kylebuchanan) May 14, 2018Walked out on LarsvonTrier . Vile movie. Should not have been made. Actors culpable
- Showbiz 411 (@showbiz411) May 14, 2018Nevertheless, #Cannes2018 still gives Lars von Trier a standing ovation after 'The House That Jack Built.' As someone sitting near me put it: "They'll clap for anything." pic.twitter.com/xa6Hi0t23r
- Ramin Setoodeh (@RaminSetoodeh) May 14, 2018