Horror-thriller is a confusing mashup of science, religion and spiritualism, cursed with a sloppy script and bad actingThis horror-thriller occupies the same Victorian shadowlands as The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and Penny Dreadful; a not-quite-modern epoch, with its zesty mashup of science, religion and spiritualism, retrofuturist tech and plain retro beliefs.
It makes an invigorating backdrop for Irish director Stephen Hall’s second feature.
But his script isn’t quite sharp enough and – apart from John Rhys-Davies, who goes at his role with his customary fiery traction, and villain Richard Brake, as ever exploiting a face like an open grave – too many of the supporting cast fall into the distinctly ordinary bracket, acting-wise.We open with the bobbies bursting in on London’s most-wanted serial killer: William Colcott (Brake), about to dispatch another victim in a long string he is apparently offering up in an occult attempt to resurrect his dead wife.
Read full article