‘Ripper’s Revenge’ DVD Review
Stars: Chris Bell, Rachel Warren, Carl Wharton, Rafe Bird | Written and Directed by Steve Lawson
One year after the notorious “Jack the Ripper” murders, the killings have stopped and his identity remains a mystery. Having made his career on those stories, newspaper reporter Sebastian Stubb (Chris Bell) is struggling financially as he is given less-demanding stories which are not front-page material. As he yearns for days past, Sebastian discovers a letter in his bag that claims to be from the Ripper, highlighting that the killings have started again.
Writer/director Steve Lawson crafts a compelling tale regarding the real-life murderer, centring around a reporter’s desire to succeed in his profession. Despite using underhanded methods to persevere, his love for reporting shines through thanks to the writing and Bell’s performance. A key example is when he gives advice about viewing a story from different angles, and how a good reporter can change the status of heroes and villains without lying.
As the body count rises, Sebastian takes an interesting journey as he gains complicated feelings regarding the Ripper’s story. While he knows writing about it would solve his financial woes, he worries about the consequences of giving the serial killer the attention he craves. His girlfriend Iris (Rachel Warren) has an opposing view, as she theorises that they should profit because the murders would be happening anyway.
That is just one of the couple’s many clashes, as a simmering contempt lingers due to promises of marriage amounting to nothing. While the relationship has grown bitter, sparks remain to offer hope that all may not be lost. The Ripper’s resurgence throws a new worry for Sebastian, as the rise in slain sex workers means Iris may be in danger due to her profession.
As the story moves towards its third act, the elements are there for an interesting ending to this tale about profiting from sensationalised tales which invade people’s privacy. What’s unfortunate is the disappointing way it is handled, as things come together in sadly rushed and heavy-handed instances. Despite some glaring accents and lesser performances, this story remains interesting right up to the effective ending.
***½ 3.5/5
Ripper’s Revenge will be released on DVD on April 3rd, courtesy of High Fliers.
