The casting for The Limehouse Golem was certainly on the money. No actor disappoints in that regard. If you like Sherlock Holmes or movies such as From Hell (2001) then you'll love this. The murderer in this case would probably be an early hero of Hannibal Lector. Highly energised London characters come to life, particularly around the theatre, which is a precious insight in itself, and a delight. I can't remember another movie doing music halls so well. Very entertaining. The editing between music hall and streets is superb. Great effort has gone its sets and lighting, and all the props and extras necessary to recreate the London 1880 atmosphere. The who-dun-it side of things is also done well, and in an original way, but it is precisely that way that keeps ticking off the suspects and thus narrowing the pool, so that by the end your guess is on even money. Mind you, by that stage you've pretty much enjoyed the whole movie so it's not such a drag. Bill Nighy shoulders the focus, and does it really well. If you are a fan of his style this is gold. I hope he reappears in another adventure in this same world. I was slightly disabused toward the end when I thought there were too many secret reveals, particularly in regard to secret character foibles, but I guess that is the writers aiming for a modern expectation. Regardless, it's all done really well, and The Limehouse Golem will certainly be regarded both as one of the finer period pieces of its year, as well as great horror.
Review of The Limehouse Golem
