The House with a Clock in Its Walls (film) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The House with a Clock in Its Walls |
|
|---|---|
.png)
Theatrical release poster
|
|
| Directed by | Eli Roth |
| Produced by |
|
| Screenplay by | Eric Kripke |
| Starring |
|
| Music by | Nathan Barr |
| Cinematography | Rogier Stoffers |
| Editing by | Fred Raskin |
| Studio |
|
| Distributed by | Universal Pictures (Worldwide) Mister Smith Entertainment (EMEA) |
| Release date(s) | September 21, 2018 (United States) |
| Running time | 105 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $42 million |
| Money made | $131.5 million |
The House with a Clock in Its Walls is a 2018 American fantasy comedy film. It was directed by Eli Roth. The movie stars Jack Black, Cate Blanchett, and Owen Vaccaro. It is based on a popular 1973 book by John Bellairs. This book was the first in a series of 12 exciting stories.
The film tells the story of a young boy named Lewis. He goes to live with his Uncle Jonathan in a very old, creaky house. Lewis soon finds out that the house has a secret. It was once home to a powerful, evil warlock. Universal Pictures released the movie in the United States on September 21, 2018. It was a big success, earning over $131 million around the world. Critics mostly liked the film, especially the actors.
Contents
The Story: A Magical Adventure Begins
In 1955, a ten-year-old boy named Lewis Barnavelt loses his parents. He moves to a new town called New Zebedee, Michigan. There, he lives with his Uncle Jonathan. Lewis only has a Magic 8-Ball and a family photo left from his parents. When he arrives at his new home, he meets Florence Zimmerman. She is Jonathan’s friendly neighbor and best friend.
At night, Lewis hears a strange ticking sound coming from inside the walls. He starts exploring the house. He finds Uncle Jonathan trying to break a wall with an axe! Lewis gets scared and runs away. Then, he sees many objects in the house start to move on their own.
Uncovering Family Secrets and Magic
Jonathan finally tells Lewis a big secret. He is a warlock, which is a male magic-user. Florence is also a powerful witch. They explain that the house belonged to a very bad warlock named Isaac Izard and his equally evil wife, Selena. Isaac and Selena hid a special clock inside the house's walls before they died. Jonathan has been trying to find this clock and learn what it does. Even though Jonathan warns him, Lewis starts to learn magic on his own.
On his first day at his new school, Lewis meets Tarby Corrigan. Tarby becomes his friend while running for class president. But after Tarby wins the election, he stops being friends with Lewis.
A Dangerous Spell and a Dark Return
Lewis's mother appears to him in his dreams. When he feels sad about Tarby, she suggests he use a spell from a forbidden magic book. This spell could help him impress Tarby. On Halloween night, Lewis goes to a cemetery. He performs a spell to bring someone back from the dead. He accidentally summons the ghost of Isaac Izard, who then takes over his own dead body.
Lewis later sees Isaac at a neighbor's house, Mrs. Hanchett. He tries to "rescue" Mrs. Hanchett and brings her to Jonathan's house. But before he can find Jonathan, Isaac appears at the front door. Isaac reveals a shocking truth: Mrs. Hanchett is actually Selena! Selena killed the real Mrs. Hanchett and used her bones to make the key for the hidden clock. It was also Selena who pretended to be Lewis's mother in his dreams to trick him into summoning Isaac.
Isaac explains that his secret clock's plans came from a demon named Azazel. Isaac wanted to turn back time so that humans never existed. Jonathan, Florence, and Lewis are forced to flee the house.
The Final Battle and New Beginnings
The three heroes use Lewis's Magic 8-Ball to find the clock. It is hidden under the boiler room. They return to the house. Florence bravely fights a giant snake guarding the room. Meanwhile, Jonathan and Lewis chase Isaac. The clock starts to work, turning Jonathan into a baby! Only his face is normal because he shielded it.
Lewis looks at the Magic 8-Ball, which says, "Say goodbye." He realizes he needs to let go of the sadness from losing his parents. This helps him use his true magic power. He throws the Magic 8-Ball, which breaks the clock by blocking its gears. Then, Lewis uses magic from the clock to blast Isaac and Selena. They shrink, get younger, and disappear completely.
Lewis returns to school feeling much more confident. He gets back at Tarby and his friends by magically bouncing a basketball off their faces and into the hoop. This impresses his other classmates. He then becomes friends with a girl named Rose Rita Pottinger. She seems to like Lewis a lot. At the end of the day, Jonathan and Florence pick up Lewis. They are now like a real family.
Meet the Cast: Who's Who in the Movie
- Jack Black as Jonathan Barnavelt: Lewis’s funny and magical uncle, a warlock.
- Cate Blanchett as Florence Zimmerman: Jonathan’s wise neighbor and friend, a powerful witch.
- Owen Vaccaro as Lewis Barnavelt: Jonathan’s 10-year-old nephew, who learns magic.
- Renée Elise Goldsberry as Selena Izard: Isaac’s wife, a very evil witch.
- Sunny Suljic as Tarby Corrigan: Lewis’s classmate at his new school.
- Colleen Camp as Mrs. Hanchett: Jonathan’s curious neighbor.
- Lorenza Izzo as Mrs. Barnavelt: Lewis’s mother and Jonathan's younger sister.
- Kyle MacLachlan as Isaac Izard: An evil warlock who wants to change time.
- Vanessa Anne Williams as Rose Rita Pottinger: One of Lewis’s classmates who becomes his friend.
Soundtrack: The Music of Magic
The music for the film was created by Nathan Barr. The soundtrack was released on a double LP by Waxwork Records.
Future Adventures: Will There Be a Sequel?
The movie is based on the first book in a series of 12 books by John Bellairs. The director, Eli Roth, has said that they might make another movie. This means Lewis's magical adventures could continue!
See also
In Spanish: The House with a Clock in Its Walls (película) para niños
