Creep (2015)

Running Time: 82 minutes

Release Date: June 23, 2015 (iTunes)/July 14th (Netflix)

Review by: Stacey

 

 Creep is a perfect example that you don't need all the bells and whistles to make a really effective horror film.  Sometimes all you need is a camera, two guys, and a 10 page "script".  A wolf mask named "Peachfuzz" doesn't hurt either...

 

After responding to an ad on Craigslist offering $1,000 for 8 hours of discreet filming, Aaron (Patrick Brice) meets Josef (Mark Duplass).  Josef says due to an inoperable brain tumor, he wants a day in his life to be filmed for his unborn son.  But from the get-go, something seems off about Josef, and it only gets worse as the film spirals into extremely unnerving territory.

Before you're put off by the fact that it's a found footage movie, let me tell you that it makes sense in this film and works to their advantage.  Again, they keep it simple and there's no confusion as to why Aaron keeps filming which is where most FF movies tend to fuck it up.  

 

Directed by Brice and written by himself and Duplass, Creep doesn't rely on extreme violence and gore, instead it lets the unsettling nature of the characters take the reigns.  The film doesn't try to toy with your head, you know from the get-go that Josef is creepy as hell and Aaron made a huge mistake responding to that ad.  To me, that's what makes it that much scarier, because you know something awful is going to happen but it's a matter of when and how.  The fact that it's darkly humorous adds to the all-around weird vibe.

 

Duplass shined in the film as Josef, as his character had to be likeable but also disturbing and he balanced those traits expertly.  They didn't want you to be outright terrified of this guy, which ended up working really well.  Brice gave the character of Aaron the reaction that a lot of us might have in a situation like that- too polite to call out Josef's increasingly odd behavior so he just rolls with it until it's too late.

 

Without saying, there were a few off moments in the film but they were very minor and didn't do anything to take away from it at all.  The film had a great steady pace at 82 minutes and the filmmakers used every second wisely to tell you their story right down to the horrifying climax.  One of my favorite horror films of 2015 so far, Creep is a fantastic and unnerving film that every horror fan should watch.  

5/5 tubby times

 

Buy it on iTunes now or check it out on Netflix July 14th!