The Jack in the Box (2020) - A Successful Small Production

The Jack in the Box (2020) is a straightforward monster movie featuring, obviously, an evil creature who lives in a Jack in the Box. It successfully delivers on an interesting entity with understandable rules, all whilst dealing with a small cast and crew.

Casey (Ethan Taylor)takes a job at a small museum, working alongside Lisa (Lucy-Jane Quinlan). The two come across an antique Jack in the Box, and accidentally unleash a curse that must be stopped.

Immediately, it must be said that it is impressive how the filmmakers managed to work on such a small team without making it feel obvious. (This is something you would only look out for if you were watching a film during lockdown, of course.) In fact, as someone who worked in a small exhibit during the Winter months, I can confirm that there were times it was as quiet as this musueum appears to be – so points for accuracy there.

The focus on only two main characters instead of a group of teenagers being picked off one by one also gives us time to explore who they are. Both Casey and Lisa feel fleshed out and have decent chemistry. Casey in particular follows a clear character arc that is refreshing to see in horror, whereas you do want to see Lisa grow and leave the same little town she’s always lived in. They feel like heroes that you want to see succeed, as opposed to monster fodder.

Speaking of the monster; it comes in two parts. A creepy puppet and a real creature. Both are designed very well in terms of creep-factor. The pop-up Jack captures the eeriness of Victorian toys without looking too Annabelle, whilst the creature keeps what people find unsettling about clowns, without going over the top with fangs or blood. Like Clown(2014), its focus on the texture of the clothes makes it an adversary you don’t want to get near.

And, similar to Clown, the backstory of the monster creates an interesting myth around the invention of Jack in the Boxes that give it grounded rules. Its clear what this creature does and how to stop it, which is satisfying compared to the seemingly unlimited powers of the likes of Freddy and Pennywise.

What is slightly lacklustre about the film is where its characters end up. Part of it, we expect – since the monster always has to come back for another scare at the end. (And to set up that sequel.) But Casey’s story feels like there could have been a stronger ending for him. Whilst getting police involved in a horror can be good – to know that these deaths don’t exist in a vacuum – their presence here felt only like a hindrance to be overcome, as opposed to an organic part of the story.

To sum up, The Jack in the Box is worth the watch, and worth supporting a small, upcoming film company for. There’s a great monster, compelling characters and interesting music score that sets up a classic creature feature from a small group of talented individuals.