A good-looking gaslit Victorian murder mystery set in 1880 with a classy cast of actors (including Bill Nighy and Eddie Marsan) and suspects (including Karl Marx and George Gissing), a powerhouse performance by Olivia Cooke as a music hall actress and pioneer of male impersonation; and a satisfying conclusion.

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.

The Limehouse Golem is a hugely atmospheric, gothic murder mystery. It is visually stunning, blood thirsty and enthralling. I enjoyed from start to finish, even if I couldn't always follow the plot at times. This is a film I think I will enjoy much more on subsequent viewings as I'll be able to take more in, and discover the small details I missed first time round. Stunning sets, glorious costumes, it really is a visual treat, they managed to capture the spirit of the Ripper's London. It felt like a film version of Ripper Street meets Sherlock. Fabulous performances, Billy Nighy, Olivia Cooke and Sam Reid all excellent, but the star of the show had to be Douglas Booth, who was simply tremendous.

Deserving of a higher rating here, and a higher status, this is a quality film. 7/10