Watch Ripley Under Ground

Ripley Under Ground is a 2005 film directed by Roger Spottiswoode, based on the novel of the same name by Patricia Highsmith. The movie is a follow-up to The Talented Mr. Ripley and is set in the late 1990s in Europe. Barry Pepper stars as Tom Ripley, a con artist who fakes the art of deceased painter Derwatt and sells it for a profit. Tom is aided by his partner in crime, Jeff Constant (Ian Hart), and his girlfriend, Heloise Plisson (Jacinda Barrett), who is unaware of Tom's illegal activities.

The story begins when a member of the art world, Bernard Tufts (Willem Dafoe), becomes suspicious of the authenticity of Derwatt's paintings and hires private investigator Neil Murchison (Tom Wilkinson) to investigate. Meanwhile, Tom continues to sell Derwatt's art and produces new works to keep up with the demand.

As the investigation progresses, Tom becomes increasingly desperate to maintain his scheme and starts to manipulate those around him. The situation is complicated by the arrival of a former lover of Derwatt's, Ellie (Claire Forlani), who claims to have inside information on the artist's life.

Tom's grip on reality starts to slip as he becomes more paranoid and violent, and the consequences of his actions become increasingly dire. He becomes embroiled in a web of lies and deceit that threatens to destroy him and those around him.

The film explores themes of identity, morality, and the nature of art. Tom's counterfeit works raise questions about the value of art and authenticity, while his manipulative behavior questions the morality of the con artist's lifestyle.

The performances in the film are strong, particularly Barry Pepper's portrayal of Tom Ripley. Pepper manages to capture the character's charm and cunning, while also emphasizing his growing instability.

Overall, Ripley Under Ground is a tense and suspenseful thriller that will keep audiences guessing until the end. Fans of Highsmith's novels and the film adaptation of The Talented Mr. Ripley will find much to enjoy in this follow-up.