Everything you need to know about The House with a Clock in Its Walls

Magic awaits in the creaky old house of Uncle Jonathan. We have all the facts for you here…

Spoilers to follow.

What’s it about?

When ten-year-old orphan Lewis Barnavelt goes to stay with his Michigan-based uncle Jonathan in 1953, he’s just after an ordinary life. As you would.

However, Lewis soon discovers that he’s in for anything but. Uncle Jonathan, it turns out, is a mediocre warlock, whose neighbour – Florence – is a powerful good witch.

Just in case things weren’t abnormal enough, Lewis also learns that Uncle Jonathan’s house was formally owned by Isaac and Selena Izard, a sinister couple who devoted their lives to trying to cause the apocalypse. The magical clock they built to achieve this remains hidden within the building’s walls.

When Lewis accidentally brings Selena Izard back to life – whilst trying to impress a classmate with some casual necromancy – the whole universe is threatened by her desire to fulfil her and her husband’s life work.

Who’s in it?

Already having made a name for himself, by playing Dylan in the Daddy’s Home films, twelve-year-old Owen Vaccaro plays Lewis, with Chilean actress Lorenza Izzo – wife of the film’s director – briefly playing his mother.

Fresh from his winning turn in Jumanji, Jack Black co-stars as Uncle Jonathan, whilst Cate Blanchet – no stranger to fantasy films – plays neighbouring witch Florence.

Tony Award-winning actor Renée Elise Goldsberry plays Selena Izard and Kyle MacLachlan is Isaac.

Sunny Suljic, Colleen Camp and Vanessa Anne Williams also feature.

Who’s made it?

The film comes from Steven Spielberg’s production company Amblin, bringing expectations for family friendly fun with a good heart. The opposite, then, of what one might expect from director Eli Roth, in his first non-R rated film.

Based on the 1973 novel by John Bellairs, the film has been scripted by Supernatural creator Eric Kripke, who also produces with Slender Man and Zodiac duo Brad Fischer and James Vanderbilt.

Music for the film has been written by Nathan Barr, best known for Cabin Fever, with Death Wish’s Rogier Stoffers on cinematography.

Essentially, no-one behind this film is known for family fare, whereas all have history in horror.