The Jack in the Box Rises (2024) is a British horror film directed by Lawrence Fowler, co-written with Geoff Fowler, and produced by Fowler Media. This third installment in the series continues the chilling saga of the malevolent Jack-in-the-Box entity.
The narrative centers on Raven, an eighteen-year-old goth portrayed by Isabella Colby Browne. After failing to retrieve a valuable item for the enigmatic Harvey Robinson (Derek Nelson), Raven is compelled to transfer to an all-girls boarding school in the UK. Harvey believes that the dreaded Jack-in-the-Box is concealed within the school’s premises and tasks Raven with locating it.
Upon discovering and opening the vintage Jack-in-the-Box, Raven inadvertently unleashes a demonic force. The entity, portrayed by Nicholas Anscombe, begins a murderous rampage, targeting the students. Raven, alongside her classmates, must confront the sinister presence and find a way to confine it back into the box before it claims more victims. The film explores themes of survival, courage, and the consequences of tampering with unknown forces.
The ensemble cast includes Georgia Conlan as Willow Davies, Leona Clarke as Olivia Brown, Georgina Jane as Kara, and Oli Meredith as Dean Pearson. Their performances contribute to the film’s tension and atmosphere, as the characters navigate the horrors unleashed within their secluded school.
The Jack in the Box Rises has garnered mixed reviews from audiences. Some viewers appreciate the continuation of the franchise and the eerie portrayal of the demonic Jack, noting its nostalgic resemblance to 1990s horror characters with multiple sequels. However, others criticize the film for its lackluster plot and subpar acting, suggesting that the series may have run its course.
Overall, The Jack in the Box Rises offers a familiar yet suspenseful addition to the horror genre, appealing to fans of supernatural thrillers and demonic entities. Its setting within an isolated boarding school adds to the claustrophobic tension, as characters confront their deepest fears against an ancient evil.