The House Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Parents lose scholarship, so they turn their house into a casino, because that’s definitely how normal people solve problems.

🍿 The House: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The College Dream and the Scholarship Loss

Scott and Kate Johansen are thrilled when their daughter, Alex, gets accepted into Bucknell University. Their excitement is quickly dampened when the town’s scholarship program is abruptly canceled by the corrupt councilor Bob Schaeffer. This leaves the family scrambling for funds to cover Alex’s tuition.

Vegas Inspiration and the Illegal Casino

Desperate, the Johansens accompany their friend Frank to Las Vegas, hoping to find a solution. After a losing streak, Scott jokingly suggests they become the ‘house’ to make money. Frank, facing foreclosure, takes the idea seriously and convinces Scott and Kate to start an illegal casino in his home.

Casino Chaos and Escalating Stakes

The casino quickly gains popularity, attracting a diverse clientele. Frank invests in increasingly extravagant upgrades, while Scott and Kate try to keep the operation a secret from Alex. However, things spiral out of control when they catch a gambler cheating, leading to an accidental act of violence that earns Scott the nickname ‘The Butcher’.

Betrayal and Final Showdown

Councilor Bob discovers the casino and confiscates the money. Undeterred, Scott and Kate continue the operation at a neighbor’s house, only for it to be destroyed by a mobster seeking revenge. With everything seemingly lost, they team up with Officer Chandler to steal the money back from Bob and ensure Alex can still attend college.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Scott Johansen (Will Ferrell): A well-meaning but financially inept father who resorts to extreme measures to fund his daughter’s college education.
• Kate Johansen (Amy Poehler): Scott’s wife and Alex’s mother, who initially hesitant, embraces the illegal casino venture to support her daughter’s future.
• Alex Johansen (Ryan Simpkins): The intelligent and driven daughter whose college dreams inadvertently spark her parents’ illegal casino operation.
• Frank (Jason Mantzoukas): Scott and Kate’s irresponsible friend whose gambling problems and foreclosed house become the base of operations for the casino.
• Bob (Nick Kroll): The corrupt city councilman who steals the scholarship fund and becomes the antagonist, opposing the Johansens’ casino.
• Officer Chandler (Rob Huebel): The local police officer who is initially suspicious but eventually aids Scott and Kate in their scheme to recover the stolen funds.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Joe: “Are those women’s sunglasses?” – Joe questions Scott’s masculinity due to his accessories, leading to a humorous exchange about Italian fashion.
• Scott Johansen: “No, they’re Italian. Italian sunglasses, Italian cigarettes.” – Scott responds defensively to Joe’s questions about his sunglasses and cigarette, asserting their Italian origin.
• Scott Johansen: “They’re gonna call us the Butcher and the Burner!” – Scott exclaims with excitement and disbelief after they accidentally injure a cheating gambler, resulting in fearsome nicknames.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $40,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $25,584,504
• Worldwide Gross: $34,284,504

💥 The House Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went in expecting a typical Will Ferrell/Amy Poehler laugh riot, but it was… different. Some parts had me actually chuckling, like the finger-chopping scene (I know, I’m terrible!), but overall, it felt disjointed. I wish they had focused more on the casino aspect and less on the over-the-top violence. Honestly I left the cinema feeling slightly confused. I can’t say I hated it but I won’t rave about it.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Will Ferrell and Amy Poehler’s brand of humor”
  • “Viewers who enjoy over-the-top, raunchy comedies”
  • “Those looking for a lighthearted and silly movie night”
  • “People who appreciate improv-heavy comedic performances”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language and profanity”
  • “Drug use and alcohol consumption”
  • “Graphic violence, including accidental dismemberment”
  • “Sexual content and nudity (brief)”
  • “Suggestive themes and crude humor”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “A joyless exercise in comedic desperation. The House squanders the talents of Ferrell and Poehler on a premise stretched so thin it snaps under the slightest pressure. Avoid at all costs.
• IMDB: “The House is a series of gags and awkward scenes thrown together, hoping something will stick. Mantzoukas shines the brightest, while the main duo seem lost in the mayhem.

Audience Reactions

Fans of Jason Mantzoukas found his performance hilarious and a standout.: Some viewers appreciated the movie’s ridiculousness and dark humor, finding it a fun, mindless watch.

The movie’s short runtime was praised by some as a positive, avoiding unnecessary filler.: The chemistry between Will Ferrell and Amy Poehler was a draw for many, despite the film’s flaws.

Overall Consensus: While some found it funny and entertaining, ‘The House’ generally failed to impress, suffering from a weak plot and uneven humor.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Mariah Carey was originally scheduled to film a cameo but her scenes were ultimately cut. Will Ferrell mentioned she was hours late, didn’t want to do the agreed scene, and had unusual trailer demands.”
• “The film was directed by Andrew Jay Cohen, who also co-wrote the screenplays for ‘Neighbors’ and ‘Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates.'”

🖥️ How to Watch The House?

The House is available for streaming on various platforms. You can find it for rent or purchase on Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local cable provider for on-demand options as well.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The House, you might like these similar films:

• Bad Moms (2016): Shares the theme of parents going to extreme lengths and acting out of character due to parental pressures.
• We’re the Millers (2013): Features an outlandish scheme with ordinary people taking on extraordinary, illegal activities for financial gain.
• Office Christmas Party (2016): Another ensemble comedy about people behaving outrageously in an attempt to save something important to them.

🛒 The House Related Products

• Playing Cards – Bicycle Standard Index: High-quality, durable playing cards, perfect for poker nights or any casino-themed event. Standard size and index.
• Trademark Poker 1000 Dice Style Poker Chips: A large set of poker chips for hosting poker nights. Comes in a variety of colors, each chip is a substantial 11.5 grams, making them feel like the real deal. A perfect set for intermediate-to-advanced players!
• Step Brothers (Unrated Version) [Blu-ray]: Another Will Ferrell Classic: Two aimless middle-aged losers still living at home are forced against their will to become roommates when their parents marry.
• Parks and Recreation: The Complete Series: Amy Poehler’s classic comedy about small town politics. Laugh at her sillyness again and again in this comedy classic

🎧 Soundtrack

The House features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “My House” – performed by Flo Rida

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

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