The House With a Clock in Its Walls – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The House With a Clock in Its Walls

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2018

58%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Jack Black + magic + creepy clocks = way scarier than you think it's going to be.

6.1/10

65%

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The House With a Clock in Its Walls

movie

PG, 2018

58%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Jack Black + magic + creepy clocks = way scarier than you think it's going to be.

6.1

65%

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6.1/10

65%

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Screenwise Verdict

This is a tricky one. The marketing sold it as a family-friendly Jack Black comedy, but in practice it's a gothic horror-fantasy that genuinely frightened a lot of kids. The audience score (45% on RT) tells the story—parents felt blindsided.

If your tween is ready for real scares and has been asking for something spookier than Goosebumps, this could hit the spot. The production design is legitimately impressive, and the story has emotional depth around grief and belonging. But if you're looking for a cozy family movie night with an 8-year-old, absolutely not. The reanimated corpses and jump scares are no joke.

The film is competent but not exceptional—it's well-made without being memorable. Most kids who watch it will enjoy the ride in the moment but won't be quoting it or rewatching it obsessively. It's a solid rainy-day pick for the right age group, but know what you're getting into.

Age Fit

Best for kids 10-12 who are ready for genuine scares and can handle darker fantasy themes. Younger kids expecting a silly Jack Black romp will likely be frightened by the horror elements. Teens and adults might find it predictable but can appreciate the production design.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

A story about an orphaned boy finding family with his magical uncle hits emotional notes about grief, belonging, and friendship. The uncle-nephew relationship models acceptance and mentorship. However, the film leans heavily into dark imagery—graveyards, creepy dolls, gothic horror aesthetics—that create an unsettling tone rather than a warm one. The pacing shifts between comedy and genuine scares, which can feel jarring. Rude humor and some mean-spirited schoolyard bullying scenes detract from the overall emotional health, though the film ultimately resolves with themes of courage and self-acceptance.

Imaginative

The premise is inherently creative—a house filled with magical clocks, secret passages, and a ticking doomsday device hidden in the walls. The production design leans into whimsical gothic fantasy with animated furniture, spell-casting sequences, and inventive visual effects. The magic system feels playful rather than rigidly defined, inviting wonder. However, the film doesn't break new ground in the fantasy genre; it's competently imaginative but follows familiar beats of 'kid discovers magic and must save the world.' The world-building is fun but not particularly deep or original compared to standout fantasy films.

Safe

This is where the film stumbles for younger viewers. The PG rating undersells the intensity. Parent reviews consistently warn that it's 'really frightening for kids' with 'dark scenes with graveyards and dark rooms,' animated corpses, jump scares, and genuinely creepy imagery including a possessed jack-o'-lantern and reanimated dead bodies. The film includes mild language and toilet humor. Common Sense Media recommends age 11+, and multiple parent reviews suggest it pushes the PG boundary hard. For kids expecting a light Jack Black comedy, the horror elements will be unexpectedly intense. It's not inappropriate content per se, but it's definitely scarier than many parents anticipate.

Enriching

The film tackles loss and grief in a meaningful way—Lewis is processing his parents' death, and the villain is motivated by grief over losing a loved one. There are lessons about the dangers of meddling with forces you don't understand, the importance of facing your fears, and not trying to change the past. The friendship between Lewis and his neighbor offers some insight into loyalty. However, the film prioritizes spectacle and scares over deeper character development or moral complexity. It's entertaining but doesn't leave viewers with much to chew on afterward. The magical elements are fun but don't invite real problem-solving or critical thinking.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Visually inventive production design with animated furniture, spell-casting effects, and a genuinely magical house that feels alive
Addresses grief and loss in a fantasy context—Lewis processing his parents' death adds emotional weight
Jack Black and Cate Blanchett bring charisma and humor to balance the darker moments
Good gateway into gothic fantasy for tweens ready to graduate from lighter fare

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What to Watch For

Reanimated corpses, jump scares, and creepy imagery that's genuinely frightening—not Goosebumps-level, more like Coraline-level unsettling
The PG rating is misleading; most parents recommend 10-11+ as the true starting point
Some toilet humor and mild language sprinkled throughout
Kids sensitive to death/loss themes may find the orphan storyline and grief elements heavy

Conversation Starters

"Lewis made a big mistake trying to bring someone back from the dead. Why do you think people are tempted to try to change the past when they're grieving?"
"Uncle Jonathan kept secrets from Lewis to protect him. When is it okay to keep secrets from someone you care about, and when is it better to be honest?"
"What would you do if you discovered your house had magical powers? What's the first spell you'd want to learn?"

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