From Hell

Right now you can watch From Hell in Australia on Disney Plus, and in the UK on Disney Plus — and it earns its twists rather than manufacturing them. A tight runtime that never overstays its welcome. 3,036 viewers have already rated it on TMDB — the kind of consensus that does not happen by accident. Johnny Depp sets the tone, and the ensemble matches it scene for scene. There is no real reason to keep putting it off — it is right there on Disney Plus.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, From Hell is worth clearing space for. From Hell treats its mystery as a means, not an end in itself. Frederick Abberline is an opium-huffing inspector from Scotland Yard who falls for one of Jack the Ripper's prostitute targets in this Hughes brothers adaption of a graphic novel that posits the Ripper's true identity. Johnny Depp and Heather Graham lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 2001. What distinguishes the best crime dramas from the rest is whether the character work can carry scenes where the mystery takes a breath — From Hell passes that test consistently. It delivers reliably on what it promises, which is more than most of its competition manages.

Viewers who think they have seen every crime drama tend to find From Hell proves them wrong. It does not lean on comparisons to make its case. Short enough to finish in one sitting, substantial enough to feel satisfying. Johnny Depp anchors it, but the writing does the real work. If you are going to commit to one crime drama this month, make it this one.