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Comedy

The House (2017): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

The House (2017) movie poster

The House is a 2017 comedy directed by Andrew J. Cohen, starring Will Ferrell, Amy Poehler and Nick Kroll. It runs 1 hour 28 minutes and earned $34.3 million worldwide on a $40 million budget. Critics gave it 30 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10.

IMDb rating
6.8/10
worldwide gross
$34.3M
Echo Score
44
Metascore
30
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The House (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 28m (88 min)
Director
Andrew J. Cohen
Genre
Comedy
Original language
Vietnamese
Budget
$40M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The House About?

The premise of The House without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A strong-willed woman expertly manages both her bustling family and a beloved crab noodle soup stall. When different generations live together, tensions rise and long-held secrets are revealed. One daughter struggles to break free from her mother's influence, forcing the family to confront issues of love, personal identity, and ultimately, forgiveness, as they learn to understand and accept one another.

The House Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • serial killer
  • psychopath
  • violence
  • building a house
  • hell
  • murder
  • psychopath as protagonist
  • mutilation
  • cruelty
  • homicidal maniac
  • animal mutilation
  • photograph
+38 more
  • corpse
  • killer
  • severed breast
  • character name in title
  • impersonating a police officer
  • impersonating an insurance executive
  • van
  • red van
  • snow
  • tiger
  • hunting
  • picnic
  • taxidermy
  • strangulation
  • moving a dead body
  • kidnapping
  • serial murder
  • architecture
  • architect
  • addiction
  • torture
  • the noble rot
  • cave
  • bridge
  • fire
  • gore
  • deeply disturbed person
  • human monster
  • maniac
  • serial killer as protagonist
  • obsession
  • animal cruelty
  • breast mutilation
  • car trouble
  • reference to albert speer
  • falling from height
  • voice over narration
  • chapter headings
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Cast & crew

The House Cast

Will Ferrell leads the cast, with Amy Poehler and Nick Kroll. Directed by Andrew J. Cohen; 10 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

The House Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The House 30 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 44/100, strongest in sensory experience (50) and weakest in story & flow (35).

44 /100

The House Echo Score Breakdown

The House presents an uneven comedic experience marked by scattershot pacing and inconsistent character development. Critics largely cite its slapdash construction and lack of engaging narrative logic, while some audiences appreciate its occasional humor and gore-driven thrills. Praise is noted for Jason Mantzoukas’s scene-stealing effort and the sporadic laugh-out-loud moments, but structural shortcomings dampen the impact. Overall, the film registers as a mixed outing with limited cohesion.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 45

    In terms of art and craft, the film’s production values exhibit uneven execution. Critics describe a slapdash assembly and random editing choices, while some viewers note that the project looks serviceable on the page. Direction is often described as adequate but uninspired, with few moments of visual distinction. The result is a mildly coherent aesthetic that limits immersion but avoids outright technical failure.

  • Character & Emotion 45

    When it comes to character and emotion, the cast elicits divergent reactions. Several critics note a lack of likable or fully formed characters, citing underdeveloped arcs and sporadic chemistry. Conversely, many viewers praise Jason Mantzoukas’s standout performance and acknowledge solid improvisational interplay, especially between the leads. Overall, these elements combine for uneven emotional engagement that alternates between fleeting charm and narrative hollowing.

  • Story & Flow 35

    In terms of story and flow, the narrative struggles with cohesion and originality. Critics frequently describe the plot as random and lacking logical progression, noting abrupt shifts and unrefined pacing. Some viewers appreciate the premise of accidental gambling entrepreneurship but find predictable clichés outweigh novelty. Ultimately, the uneven balance of setup and payoff leaves the storyline feeling disjointed and less engaging than intended.

  • Sensory Experience 50

    When it comes to sensory experience, the film provides a mixture of tonal and visual elements. Some reviewers highlight an enjoyably grisly streak and coherent sound design, while others note the gore feels gratuitous and lacks stylistic consistency. The soundtrack supports comedic moments without standing out, and sound effects add occasional impact. Overall, the sensory components maintain functionality but rarely elevate the viewing experience.

  • Rewatch Factor 45

    In terms of rewatch factor, the film’s replay value is limited by its uneven pacing and inconsistent humor. While certain scenes elicit genuine laughter and Jason Mantzoukas’s moments remain entertaining on repeat viewings, the lack of cohesive narrative and variable comedic beats undermine lasting appeal. As a result, viewers are unlikely to revisit the film frequently, finding its occasional highlights insufficient to merit multiple viewings.

Plot

The House Plot Summary

What happens in The House from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The film chronicles the disturbed life of Jack, a serial killer possessing a peculiar artistic flair, unfolding over the span of twelve years. Jack’s journey is marked by a series of chilling murders, each shaping his descent into darkness. Throughout this grim narrative, he engages in philosophical discussions with Verge, reflecting on ethics and his unique perspective of the world in between the gruesome incidents.

Full summary

The whole story of The House, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The House Box Office & Budget

The House grossed $34.3 million worldwide on a $40 million budget, 86% of what it cost. $25.6 million came from the US and Canada and $8.7 million (25%) from the rest of the world.

2017 box office

Worldwide gross

$34.3M

86% of its budget back

US & Canada
$25.6M
International
$8.7M
Budget
$40M
US & Canada 75% Rest of the world 25%
Videos

The House Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 2 trailers.

The House - Official Trailer [HD]
  • Trailer The House Red Band Trailer #1 (2017) | Movieclips Trailers
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The House?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What does Jack use to kill the first woman he encounters?

Cars

Cars in The House

20 cars on screen, including the Ford Crown Victoria and the 1992 Buick LeSabre.

All 20 cars
  • Ford Crown Victoria in The House Ford Crown Victoria Important role
  • 1992 Buick LeSabre in The House 1992 Buick LeSabre Minor role
  • 1994 Chevrolet Suburban in The House 1994 Chevrolet Suburban Minor role
  • 2011 Chrysler 300 in The House 2011 Chrysler 300 Minor role
Details

The House Also Known As

31 alternative titles, including “더 하우스” and “Brloh”.

Also known as
  • 더 하우스
  • Brloh
  • La casa gana
  • Дом [The House (2017)]
  • House (2017)
  • Operaţiunea "Cazinoul"
  • Vegas Academy : Coup de poker pour la Fac
  • A Casa Caiu: Um Cassino na Vizinhança
  • Casino Undercover
  • Операція «Казино»
  • Кућа увек добија
  • Pimeä kasino
+19 more
  • Επιχείρηση: Καζίνο
  • La maison
  • Операция "Казино"
  • Casa casino
  • הבית תמיד זוכה
  • Dom wygranych
  • A szerencse háza
  • Casa Casinò
  • A Casa Caiu - Um Cassino na Vizinhança
  • 疯狂之家
  • Дом
  • Operācija “Kazino”
  • Şans Evi
  • Namas
  • Hráčské doupě
  • カジノ・ハウス
  • 全家就是莊家
  • 賭屋風雲
  • เดอะ เฮาส์ เปลี่ยนบ้านให้เป็นบ่อน

Seen The House?

FAQ

The House FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of The House, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The House?

The House runs 1 hour 28 minutes (88 minutes).

When was The House released?

The House was released on June 30, 2017.

Who directed The House?

The House was directed by Andrew J. Cohen.

Who is in the cast of The House?

The House stars Will Ferrell, Amy Poehler and Nick Kroll, among 10 credited actors.

How much did The House make at the box office?

The House grossed $34.3 million worldwide ($25.6 million domestic, $8.7 million international) on a budget of $40 million.

How is The House rated?

The House has 6.8/10 on IMDb, 30 on Metacritic, 56% on TMDB and 2.5/5 on Letterboxd.

Does The House have a post-credit scene?

No. The House has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is The House in?

The original language of The House is Vietnamese.

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