Set in Los Angeles in 1988, Jack's Back is one of the many films released around the 100th anniversary of the Jack the Ripper murders in the Whitechapel district of London in 1888.

A copycat is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Ripper murders by duplicating a new series of murders on the same dates and in the same ways. Four women have been killed and tonight is the fifth one.

John Wesford (James Spader) is a young doctor working in a free clinic when he sees his high school sweetheart come into the clinic looking for an abortion. When the clinic closes, he goes to her apartment. As he parks, he sees another young doctor from the clinic, Jack Pendler (Rex Ryon), enter the building.

John finds the girl dead and Jack screaming that he didn't do it. He gave her an abortion, then left to get her a prescription. She was dead when he got back. Jack chases him to the clinic, calls 911 to report the murder, then tries to convince Jack to get help. Jack knocks him out and hangs him, but tries to make it look like a suicide.

A few blocks away, a man identical to John bolts out of bed and goes onto his terrace, looking at the emergency lights responding to John's call. He arrives at the scene as they are loading John's body into the hearse. He tells police that he saw what happened in his dream. Of course, they do not believe him. They are busy celebrating the capture of the Ripper.

The twin, Richard (also Spader), searches for proof that his brother was murdered. He is assisted by another young doctor from the free clinic, Christina Moscari (Cynthia Gibb) -- who had quite a crush on John.

My favorite character in this movie is one of the minor parts. Detective Sgt. Gabriel (Jim Haynie) is hilarious with his dry commentary and total lack of a sense of humor. I got a kick out him. But all the parts were played very well. Spader does a nice job of playing twins who have distinctly different personalities. He evens adopts different gestures and mannerisms.

This is a decent whodunnit. It drags out a bit more than was necessary, but not enough to lose the viewer's attention. Of the Ripper movies I have seen, this is my least favorite. It is an average, run-of-the-mill story that provides an average amount of entertainment.

I prefer the real Ripper. For a modern spin on Jack the Ripper, check out Terror at London Bridge.