The House with a Clock in Its Walls
2018 · Directed by Eli Roth
Original language: English
- comedy
- family
- fantasy
- horror
- mystery
The story
When ten-year-old Lewis is suddenly orphaned, he is sent to live with his Uncle Jonathan in a creaky (and creepy) old mansion with a mysterious ticking noise that emanates from the walls. Upon discovering that his uncle is a warlock, Lewis begins learning magic, but when he rebelliously resurrects an evil warlock he must find the secret of the house and save the world from destruction.
What it’s like
Warm, storybook gothic with a Halloween-season glow: autumn-orange interiors, candlelit dark, cobwebbed corridors and a mansion full of hidden passages, lit with plenty of saturated lamplight and visible set-built detail rather than gritty realism. The camera moves with brisk, playful energy, sweeping through rooms and swinging into shadowy nooks, and the score leans on bright orchestral swells, tinkling clockwork textures and comic stingers. The vibe is cozy-spooky and mischievous, the kind of thing to put on for a Halloween evening, a rainy weekend afternoon, or with kids on a school break. Pacing is brisk and episodic, with the story moving through gags and set pieces. Its emotional core is a grieving boy slowly finding a home and a surrogate family with his eccentric uncle, with a lot of affectionate teasing between them. Intensity is mild: spooky creatures, a few jump scares, a magical duel and some peril, but no real gore and no sexual content, and the scares are quickly undercut by humour. Suited to families, younger teens and anyone who wants a light, funny fright rather than dread.
More films like The House with a Clock in Its Walls
Closest in mood, pacing and theme. Tell us why you loved The House with a Clock in Its Wallsand we’ll explain which ones fit you.
