Directed by acclaimed British filmmaker Elizabeth Shaw, Jack the Ripper (2025) revisits the darkened alleys of 19th‑century London with a fresh investigative thriller. Far from a typical slasher tale, this version emphasizes psychological suspense over gore, weaving historical detail with nuanced character work.
Set in Whitechapel during the autumn of 1888, the film opens with a series of meticulously staged murders echoing the infamous Ripper killings. Amateur photographer Amelia Thorn (Florence Pugh) captures disturbing crime‑scene images that defy their historical moment — anomalous artifacts that seem to distort time. Teaming up with stoic Detective Arthur Pierce (Mark Strong), she uncovers a pattern: the murders aren’t mere copycat crimes, but ritualistic killings linked to an occult brotherhood rumored to have existed since the earliest days of London.
Pugh brings emotional depth to Amelia, portraying her as both resilient and haunted by her own past loss. Strong’s Pierce is measured and world‑weary, balancing skepticism with quiet empathy. Their partnership evolves organically—from mutual distrust to a fierce alliance determined to unveil the killer before the ritual is complete.
Cinematographer Roger Tate bathes the Victorian streets in gaslight and fog, evoking the era’s claustrophobia and unease. A moody score underscores each twist, and the killer’s reveal—an elegant yet unnerving twist—connects historical myths with supernatural possibilities. When the final scenes reveal Amelia’s uncanny photographic powers, the film ends on a breath‑catching cliffhangerPicking up six months later, the sequel Shadows Over Whitechapel follows Pierce and Amelia as they pursue the occult society revealed in the first film. Now operating covertly, they decode cryptic symbols, decrypt arcane texts, and travel from London’s sewers to abandoned crypts. Amelia’s growing ability to glimpse past atrocities in her photos becomes both a gift and a burden.
A new antagonist emerges: Dr. Magnus Vale, a charismatic scholar leading the brotherhood’s revival. Vale preaches that the Grim Ripper represented a catalyst for social purification—his next ritual, Vale claims, will occur at the stroke of midnight on Queen Victoria’s anniversary. As bodies begin to mount again, the duo races through London’s catacombs and fog‑choked wharves to stop him.
The sequel deepens the thematic core: can one weaponize history — even evil history — to justify redemption? It also explores trauma and agency: Amelia must decide whether to embrace her growing “vision” power or destroy it to save herself and others.
Visually, Shadows Over Whitechapel intensifies the atmosphere—flickering lamplight reflects in Amelia’s camera lens, while shadows grow claustrophobic amid narrow tunnels and vaulted cobbles. Pugh and Strong return with heightened chemistry, and newcomer Ralph Fiennes as Vale adds sinister charisma.
Jack the Ripper (2025) successfully reinvents the genre, blending detective drama and subtle supernatural elements. The sequel concept pushes deeper into myth and psychological horror, promising an atmospheric, emotionally rich ride for fans of historical thrillers. If you're into dark London mysteries with a hint of the uncanny, this series would be a compelling binge.
