Creatures of Whitechapel is a gothic thriller set in the Victorian era and an immensely vivid setting of London interlaced with fantastic visual effects. The film is heavily dependent on the intriguing characters, and a compelling genre-appropriate photography. A fresh take on an age-old story, and character of Victor Frankenstein is very thoughtful and imaginative with artists contributing greatly in bringing life to the captivating characters.
Barrett Ogden gives an exemplary performance and so does Carlee Baker. The character of Victor Frankenstein is consistent through the film, which is a young scientist determined to play God by reviving ‘the creature’, he has been secretly experimenting on with unconventional methods. Igor, however, is a complex character who is willing to serve her master by gathering the elements required to bring Victor’s creation to life, exhibiting at times the part of an incapacitated and loyal servant. Her disgust at the sight of her master’s indulgence in physical pleasure with a lifeless body, even though she herself does not show a trace of doubt while slaying her subjects is elemental in understanding her involved character.
Jonathan Martin has expertly directed Creatures of Whitechapel with exceptional control over the plot and has done a great job eliciting the expressions, and the emotions he had envisioned from the set of already skilled artists. Tina Thorup has done a commendable job too, casting Barrett Ogden as ‘Victor Frankenstein’ and Carlee Baker as ‘Igor’. Barrett has unified in his portrayal of Frankenstein, the perversity and the madness in required proportions. It will seem at first that Carlee has not immersed herself enough in her character, but that idea will soon be cleared with the evidence of a quandary in Igor’s mind of her actions for her master. It might have been implied that Igor is a defector, who has been in correspondence with Victor’s adversary; it is when the final element starts working she speaks of the Doctor. Tori Halloran plays a fragile, yet sentient creature who has the memory of all the wicked acts performed on her by Victor when she was lifeless.
There are times through the growls of Igor, when it is unintelligible what she is saying, maybe the sound department is to be blamed or the actress herself. The cinematography, on the other hand, is singularly an invaluable asset to the film. The frames are brightly colored with reference to the dominant emotion of the scene, and never seemed muddled.
Creatures of Whitechapel is a well-thought-out and spectacularly presented film with fascinating characters and exceptional performances. Everything in the setting was in agreement with the plot and the era that was chosen. It is a thrilling and a unique experience.
