Black comedy a treat for young and old

105mins Who knew that the director who once gave the world Hostel Part II could conjure up on the most magical family fantasies in years?

Eli Roth certainly wouldn’t have been everybody’s choice to direct this adaptation of John Bellair’s much-loved 1973 book, yet he’s managed to create an enjoyable, entertaining romp that perfectly combines slapstick and scares.

Set in 1955, it’s the tale of 10-year-old Lewis Barnavelt (Daddy’s Home’s Owen Vaccaro). Recently left orphaned by a car accident, he has been invited (via a chocolate-stained letter) to come and live with his eccentric Uncle Jonathan (Jack Black, at his avuncular best).

But 100 High St, New Zebedee, Michigan, isn’t exactly your typical household. There are hundreds of timepieces, pictures that seem to move and a ‘‘deranged cuckoo’’ – or at least that’s what Jonathan calls his neighbour Florence Zimmerman (Cate Blanchett).

The kimono-clad brother of Lewis’ mother also quickly reveals himself as a warlock, although one of limited skills compared to his friend Florence.

However, Jonathan begins to suspect the pair aren’t telling him everything about their home or its previous inhabitants.

Kids at school call it ‘‘the slaughterhouse’’, a warning comes from his mother in a dream and there’s that incessant ticking that appears to come from within the house itself.

Filled with memorable characters, moments and dialogue, The House with a Clock in its Walls reminds one of under-rated 1980s movies like Fright Night, Something Wicked This Way Comes and Gremlins.

Roth and screenwriter Erik Kripke (TV’s Supernatural, Timeless) also offer up plenty of allusions to another 80s hit – this has Back to the Future homage written all over it.

It also though has a unique flair and style and that’s thanks largely to two terrific performances from Black (Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle) and Blanchett (Thor: Ragnarok).

As well as verbal sparring that wouldn’t sound out of place in a mid-20th century screwball comedy, the duo also battle demonic forces with believable fear and commitment and deliver lines such as, ‘‘it’s the nuts that make things interesting’’, with a sparkle in their voices.

Some scenes may be a little scary for younger viewers, but any movie that combines an unhousetrained topiary griffin, with possessed pumpkins and the explanation for Salvador Dali’s famous melted watch will certainly keep young and old in thrall during its near two-hour running time.

A celebration of the weird, this is a movie Robert Rodriguez or Tim Burton would be proud of. Former horror enfant terrible Roth may have just found his new calling. – James Croot

Jack Black is at his avuncular best alongside Cate Blanchett.