Awkwardly named Jack’s Back is a weak horror thriller following a manhunt for a Jack the Ripper copycat killer.

The movie does not shy away from throwing totally unconvincing elements in the viewer’s face: Long lost missing twins, psychic abilities, shoe salesman subplots and a killer who gets caught by walking into a trap and totally breaking his earlier patterns that kept him safe, only because the movie needed a closure. Even if Jack the Ripper never was that intriguing persona to me there are tons of better movies out there that get a better mileage out of the subject.

Most reviews of the movie seem favorable, which I did find surprising. Many dub this to the lead James Spader’s magnetic performance, but personally I found his acting work here mostly corny and a long shot from his authentic and chilling performance in The New Kids.

80s-o-meter: 82%

Total: 41%