The Glass House

PG-13

9/14/20011h 47m

Theatrical Release (US)

~ The glass is about to be shattered... ~

Overview:

When Ruby and Rhett's parents are killed in a car accident, their carefree teenage lives are suddenly shattered. Moving to an incredible house in Malibu with the Glasses', old friends of the family, seems to be the beginning of a new life for them.

Director:

Daniel Sackheim

Status:

Released

Language:

English

Buget:

$30,000,000.00

Revenue:

$23,619,609.00

Key words:

california
sibling relationship
loss of loved one
psychological thriller
orphan
car accident
y2k aesthetics

Cast

Leelee Sobieski

~ as ~

Ruby Baker

Diane Lane

~ as ~

Erin Glass

Stellan Skarsgård

~ as ~

Terence Glass

Trevor Morgan

~ as ~

Rhett Baker

Chris Noth

~ as ~

Uncle Jack

Bruce Dern

~ as ~

Alvin Begleiter

Kathy Baker

~ as ~

Nancy Ryan

Michael O'Keefe

~ as ~

Dave Baker

Vyto Ruginis

~ as ~

Don

Gavin O'Connor

~ as ~

Whitey

View full cast & crew

Reviews (3)

Gimly
Written 6 year(s) ago
3
There was really no intrigue in The Glass House which is missing a pretty fundamental step when you're making a mystery/thriller.

Final rating:★½: - Boring/disappointing. Avoid where possible.
Wuchak
Written 6 year(s) ago
6
Sad drama with Leelee Sobieski and Stellan Skarsgård switches to thriller

A suddenly orphaned teen girl (Leelee Sobieski) & her little brother start a new life in Malibu with their guardians (Stellan Skarsgård & Diane Lane), who might not be the caring friends of their parents they seem to be. Bruce Dern is on hand as a lawyer.

“The Glass House” (2001) starts as a melancholic drama with the general plot, setting and tone of “Poison Ivy” (1992), but without the lethal Lolita angle. It eventually morphs into a suspense/thriller à la “Enough” (2002), just don’t expect Leelee to change into Rambo, like J-Lo.

Sobieski as protagonist Ruby is one-dimensionally sullen, which fits the situation, but it gives a lifeless vibe to the proceedings. Some critics claim the last act is predictable, but it's really not, excepting the fact that two people ultimately square off (which is obvious from the beginning). I'd cite examples but don't want to give away spoilers.

The film runs 1 hour, 46 minutes, and was shot in Malibu & that general area of Los Angeles.

GRADE: B-
R
RalphRahal
Written 11 month(s) ago
6
The Glass House is one of those movies that might not blow you away but keeps you intrigued with its unsettling vibe. The cold, modern house perfectly mirrors the eerie atmosphere, creating an unsettling backdrop for the story. The cinematography uses this to its advantage, making the environment feel as much a part of the tension as the characters themselves. Leelee Sobieski delivers a standout performance, convincingly portraying her character’s growth and determination amidst the unfolding mystery. Stellan Skarsgård adds another layer with his chilling yet restrained presence, keeping you on edge even when the story feels familiar.

Sure, the plot leans toward predictable territory, which seems to be a sticking point for critics, but the film’s strength lies in how it teases the possibility of different outcomes. Even if the ending plays it safe, the journey there has enough intrigue to hold your attention. It’s not groundbreaking, but it’s a solid thriller with good acting, a cold and unsettling tone, and just enough tension to make it worth a watch. If you’re in the mood for something straightforward yet atmospheric, it’s a decent pick.