Jack's Back

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Jack's Back

R

1988

1h 37m

Mystery & Thriller

Crime

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

71%

Tomatometer

7 Reviews

38%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

In a sickening coincidence -- or a sinister homage to actual crimes -- women are being murdered in Los Angeles 100 years after Jack the Ripper terrorized London. Police think John Westford (James Spader), a young doctor, is the murderer, and when he's found hanging from a noose, authorities believe his apparent suicide is a tacit admission of guilt. But his twin brother, Rick (also Spader), insists John was killed, and, when it appears Rick is right, the investigation takes a stunning turn.

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

It's not a great movie, but it's the kind of film that makes you curious about what Harrington will do next.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 1, 2000

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

...an odd, amusingly hokey film that offers a few points of interest, namely the lead performance by James Spader as identical twins...

Rated: 3/5

Feb 23, 2021

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Craig Schroeder

Battleship Pretension

Despite all of its shortcomings, James Spader makes Jack's Back watchable. He's got a charm and dedication that elevates the film's shortcomings.

Jan 7, 2021

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Walter Chaw

Film Freak Central

A quintessential dirty '80s thriller

Rated: 3/4

Mar 26, 2016

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Matt Brunson

Creative Loafing

The plotting is too haphazard to completely overcome any deficiencies.

Rated: 2/4

Jan 30, 2016

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Chuck O'Leary

Fantastica Daily

Rated: 2/5

Oct 9, 2005

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Mark M

They reveal who the bad guy was in the first 15 minutes of the film. Acting was good, screenplay was atrocious.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

08/31/24

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Jelisije J

An enjoyable film where a killer is reenacting the murders of Jack the Ripper in modern times. A movie that doesn't quite stick the landing, but left a lasting impression at the end of the day.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/11/24

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Steve M

A really messed up story line that didn't make sense. I hate it when the bad guy shows up at the end and "surprise", it's him.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

05/31/23

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Audience Member

James Spader is the new Jack the Ripper or is he? 100 years since the infamous murders took place someone has taken it upon themselves to commit the same kind of gristly killings It has the city shaken to its core having over dozens of women slain The authorities suspect Dr. John Westford is the culprit but after an apparent suicide they deem it as an act of guilt Turns out he has a twin brother believing John was killed by the real culprit All of it leads to a startling discovery This could've sped things up a lot better yet they manage to keep much of the mystery under wraps Spader is good playing dual roles but this script needed more blood soaked mayhem to stick out Harrington makes for some weary direction with an 80s slasher such as this

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

05/09/23

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steve d

Spader is always good, but the script is just ok.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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marco b

What's better than one James Spader? Two, duh. A serial killer copying Jack the Ripper is killing women, and only JS can stop him.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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Rowdy Herrington

Director

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John

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Synopsis

In a sickening coincidence -- or a sinister homage to actual crimes -- women are being murdered in Los Angeles 100 years after Jack the Ripper terrorized London. Police think John Westford (James Spader), a young doctor, is the murderer, and when he's found hanging from a noose, authorities believe his apparent suicide is a tacit admission of guilt. But his twin brother, Rick (also Spader), insists John was killed, and, when it appears Rick is right, the investigation takes a stunning turn.

Director: Rowdy Herrington
Screenwriter: Rowdy Herrington
Production Co: Cinema Group, Palissades Entertainment
Rating: R
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 9, 2017
Runtime: 1h 37m
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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