Time to head back into history old and horror pastures a-new, as past and present collide in Lucas Pelizaro’s new horror-noir RIPPER REVEALED.
Jack The Ripper has been immortalised in many a story over the years and the new film attempts to bring a new context to this most notorious of historical figures that has fascinated all manner of audiences, historians and journalists over the years.
The Victorian Chronicle’s Edward Taylor (Thom Donnelly) touches base at a guest house watched over by Evelyn Rose who teases Edward with some key information about the Ripper case from a generation or two before. The trail leads back to her ancestors Jacob and Polly Rose (Jon-Paul Gates, Lyndsey Sheppard), who themselves appear to have a penchant for taking in gullible customers and not afraid to throw a bit of poison in their afternoon tea.
They claim one victim, which they turn over to their associate Dr. Cripps (Pete Gibson) and his assistant. However, a new guest arrives in the form of Charles (Chris Shane Sanders, who also writes the screenplay) who appears to be providing some discomforting feeling towards Polly. Jacob and Polly’s relationship soon begins to suffer both sobering and unravelling truth.
RIPPER REVEALED might be a late-in-the-day addition to the numerous releases that have come before, but it does provide some context. Your appreciation of this new incarnation will depend on your own awareness and familiarity of the legend and it does give some interesting historical reference points as well.
Admittedly it is a bit of a slow-burner, reliant on character development and context, but does build up towards a dark and gory climax. Some good make-up effects and music (courtesy of Matthew A.C. Cohen). At 70 minutes, it has the feel of an old HAMMER HOUSE OF HORROR episode from 1980.