Review of From Hell (2001) by Deb S — 21 May 2010

Based on the graphic novel by Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell, this movie is a semi-fictionalized story about the cryptic tale in 1888 East London surrounding the aristocracy, a madman named Jack the Ripper, and five unknowing prostitutes who all share a deadly secret. Johnny Depp plays Abberline, an opium addicted detective hiding from his terrifying psychic ability on one hand and the recent loss of his wife on the other.

The horror of the human mind is the hell into which we see here. It is a truly unsettling view of the monstrousness of twisted thought, helped no doubt by the fact that the Ripper took delight in dissecting his victims, sometimes carefully placing their organs beside the bodies. Those sorts of lurid details tend to grab viewer's attention! The Ripper was never found which also adds to the mystery. From Hell provides an entertaining two hours and will have you and your friends discussing the identity of the Ripper and the conspiracy behind it for, oh, at least some minutes before you find something better to do.