BUT... there is more to it...
Firstly, the synopsis given here on IMDB is a good introduction and will give you a good idea as to the story. Secondly, this movie looks BEAUTIFUL! The cinematography, architecture, and settings are breathtaking and the picture quality is truly stunning.
Now, don't let the first 5 minutes or so throw you... For some reason I kind of got the feel that the very beginning and setup of the story was just a TAD on the cheeeeezy side and might look a bit contrived. BUT, don't let that fool you. After the story commences with the woman giving her performance in Russia, the look, feel, and mood of the film really take off.
This is an excellent 'Old School' Horror story brought to the screen in a very visually striking way, and told with a nice, Old World flair, AND in Russian! (with some English throughout) That gives it an even more otherworldly, almost Victorian air, but in a Russian way, sort of like the movies about Jack the Ripper set at that time ('FROM HELL' for example)
I truly could not get over the amazing visual style of the film. The intricacies of the buildings, and streets, and settings were SO damn detailed and stunningly photographed, that you cannot be helped but to be swept up in the time period. Like I mentioned, after the first shaky 5 minutes or so, the story really begins to even out and draw you into the search for this seeming serial killer who is mutilating and doing some kind of strange ritual with the bodies. But, as the story goes on, you find out that there is a lot more to it...
The acting is very good, interestingly contrasting the English speaking people with the Russian ones. But they all blend very well. I mean, you would frigg'n SWEAR that there was a ton of money involved in the making of this movie, at least they sure made it look that way. This film has a flavour that closely resembles the excellent Roman Polanski film 'THE NINTH GATE' (coincidentally with a similar title - and also starring Johnny Depp as in 'FROM HELL') The visuals are SO detailed that they ALMOST tip over into Fantasy, sort of with just a touch of Tim Burton's look, but not quite. They still are strikingly 'Real' and quite immersive. I don't know if they actually filmed this around Russia, but with all the gorgeous Gothic statues and Gargoyles and such, it sure LOOKS very authentic.
So, it is an 'Old School' Horror story told in a beautifully realized way with a very involving and entertaining story and with a very, very moody and atmospheric tone throughout. I would say that if you like Old School Horror stories but with a Gothic, Russian twist, and you don't mind reading some subtitles, I think you might really find this beautifully crafted film entertaining.
