It’s the 100th anniversary of Jack the Ripper’s murder spree and now the infamous serial killer is back and slicing and dicing again via a copycat in ‘modern’ Los Angeles.
Halloween film #14 is 1988’s… Jack’s Back.
Written and directed by Rowdy Herrington – the AUTEUR behind Road House starring Patrick Swayze.
James Spader stars and I mean stars as John Wesford, a medical student on the warpath to eradicate poverty and right the wrongs of the American medical system via a free clinic he volunteers at. His seersucker sport coat certainly deserves a supporting nomination:
The film showcases 80s L.A. with some incredible night shots. Another sweaty flick — starting to notice a pattern in thrillers/horror movies made prior to 2000.
Super. Sweaty. Flick.
Night terrors, stodgy doctors, altruism, eerie Volkswagen shots, visits from the coroner, Spader being a dick, Spader not being a dick, a double dream, a diner with great fish and chips, bad cop/good cop investigation, a cooler brother, left-handed hijinks, cool 80s cig smokin’, twin brother visions, a shady arms dealer… a little bit of something for everybody.
Elements of a procedural, elements of a serial killer film, elements of a noir, elements of a metaphysical drama…
It’s not the film you’re expecting at any given point and for the better.
Oh, and did I mention there’s a shoe store managing bad boy twin brother who has hallucinatory night premonitions (also played by Spader)? Because you know there is.
To tell you anything more would be a disservice. Go watch it.
David Fincher’s entire aesthetic/vibe feels drawn (or in some way borrowed) from this movie:
I mean… is this a shot from Mindhunter, Se7en, House of Cards?
Bonus: the theme song is an 80s gem:
The soundtrack rules.
A beautiful restoration is currently on Amazon Prime courtesy of Scream Factory.
An incredible debut film from any filmmaker. One of Spader’s great performances of that or any era.
A hidden/forgotten gem. Finally, what I’ve been waiting for.
FULL PRICE. Might have to buy on Blu-Ray.
Recommendations for further viewing: Body Double (1984), Sisters (1973), Jack the Ripper (1988, TV movie starring Michael Caine) , Pretty in Pink (1986)