n the late 1800s, the London district of Whitechapel was a very dangerous place to make a living, especially for women of the oldest profession. So when a prostitute named Polly Nichols was found dead in the street—the victim of a violent and brutal crime—it was hardly considered cause for alarm. What the locals didn't realize at the time was that this was only the first in a string of ritualistic murders committed by a dangerous madman who would later come to be known as Jack the Ripper. From Hell explores the mystery surrounding the Ripper's identity and offers a look inside the mind of a sinister and disturbed killer.
Depp is Inspector Fred Abberline, the police detective assigned to the case. Haunted by his own personal demons of loss and addiction, Abberline has visions of the killings before they occur. He uses these visions and his intuition to retrace the steps of the victims in their final moments. Soon he realizes that they are not dealing with any ordinary underworld criminal.
The inspector enlists the help of a group of prostitutes close to the first victim, including a woman named Mary Kelly (Graham). Initially, they are all reluctant to help. But as more victims appear, Mary begins to believe Abberline's theory that the Ripper is a man of significant wealth with a medical background, rather than the street thugs she and her friends suspected. Together, Mary and Abberline follow the trail of evidence, developing a mutual attraction along the way.
Abberline eventually finds himself in a dangerous web of conspiracy involving a clandestine organization and a threat to the very monarchy itself. What he discovers could be just another wild theory, or it could very well be the solution to a puzzle that has been plaguing both Londoners and outsiders alike for over a century.
Think you know Jack? Think again
"One day men will look back and say that I gave birth to the 20th century." This quote—from a letter attributed to Jack the Ripper—appears as the opening title on the screen before the story even begins. The film then sets out to prove its validity, and by the end succeeds in doing so.
The story of the Ripper has never been told as accurately and stylishly as this. Nor has it been proven more relevant. From the very beginning, the film draws the audience into the world of Victorian London, but it's not a wholly unfamiliar place. From the first killing, tabloid-style journalists hover around with cameras, ready to make a celebrity of the culprit. Social politics play into public opinion just as much as they would today. Abberline interviews experts and witnesses, pays visits to the coroner's office and butts heads with his conservative superiors, like any contemporary film or TV detective. These aren't anachronisms, they fit within the context of the story and underscore the point that this was the beginning of the modern era.
As Abberline, Depp gives a charming yet subtle performance, transitioning believably between drug-induced haziness and coherent inquisition. Ian Holm also stands out as Sir William Gull, the official doctor to the royal family who helps Abberline gain insight into the case.
The film is slow in spots, especially in the beginning, before the investigation commences in earnest. The murders themselves are not overly graphic, but the descriptions of the mutilations afterwards might be a little much for anyone sensitive to that sort of thing. Certain stylistic aspects, such as flashes of dream sequences and rapid, jarring cuts add to an overall disquieting feeling.
These elements aside, however, From Hell offers an interestingly detailed account of the Jack the Ripper legend, which should enlighten viewers unfamiliar with the case and further intrigue those well versed in the lore.
