The Creep Tapes: Did The Franchise Just Get Ruined?

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Since the establishment of their independent production company, Duplass Brothers Productions, in 1996, Jay and Mark Duplass have been deeply involved in the indie movie and TV industry. Known for their affection towards unconventional characters and improvisation, they are frequently linked to the mumblecore genre of the early 2000s, producing films such as “The Puffy Chair” and “Cyrus”. Over the past three decades, this creative duo has ventured into various genres. Specifically, Mark Duplass, who switches between acting in front of and behind the camera, gained a significant following among horror enthusiasts in 2014 with Netflix’s popular found footage film “Creep”. (He also appeared in “The Lazarus Effect” in 2015, but that’s not usually discussed.)

Titled Creep, this film is helmed by director Patrick Brice and produced by Duplass Brothers Productions and Blumhouse Productions. The story revolves around a freelance cameraman named Aaron, portrayed by Brice, who responds to an unusual classified ad from a man named Josef, acted by Mark Duplass. Josef, who claims to be suffering from terminal cancer, desires to create a film for his future child. Eager to pocket $1,000 for a day of recording, Aaron embarks on a journey to Josef’s secluded “vacation home,” oblivious to the latter’s peculiar behavior and dark motives.

The loosely scripted movie, originating from a five-page plot summary co-written by Duplass and Brice, turned out to be successful, garnering a 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Released in 2017 as Creep 2, it starred Mark Duplass as the transformed serial killer Aaron (formerly Josef), earning a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes with 29 reviews. The franchise has resonated with both fans of found footage and those fond of the eccentric Duplass cinematic world, making it unsurprising when a third Creep project was announced. In June 2024, Mark Duplass shared an ominous Instagram video wearing the iconic “Peachfuzz” wolf mask, igniting excitement for potential Creep 3.

Initially, some people were taken aback when they realized that the news was about “The Creep Tapes“. This series, set to premiere on Shudder and AMC+ on Nov 15, 2024, is a half-hour show that delves into additional victims of the eccentric murderer, Peachfuzz, within the beloved horror-comedy franchise. The question arises whether the production of “The Creep Tapes” was a wise or unwise decision to preserve the legacy of the “Creep” series. As for the satisfaction of diehard fans, it seems to be a mixed bag. In simpler terms, opinions on this new spin-off are divided among fans of the original “Creep” series.

‘The Creep Tapes’ Gives Fans a Bite-Size Peek At the Killer’s Memento Vault

As a captivated viewer, I’d like to share that this thrilling series is derived from a hidden trove of video cassettes belonging to the world’s most enigmatic and awkward serial killer. Intriguingly, he lures his victims into filming him for the day under misleading circumstances. Mark Duplass made this revelation in an announcement, as reported by IndieWire. Each gripping episode unveils a fresh victim from the legendary ‘Creep Tapes’.

In the series The Creep Tapes, it’s normal to encounter oddities since Duplass’ character, a compulsive liar and killer, could either be disguised as an acting student needing help with an audition tape or a priest offering commentary for a web series. Despite a familiar structure similar to the films where Duplass’ character coaxes or deceives an unsuspecting filmmaker into his murder plot, there are exciting twists ahead. However, some viewers argue that the methodical pace of the films might not translate well into a single TV episode. It’s difficult for Duplass’ unpredictable killer to establish rapport with a wary individual and then brutally kill them within 25 minutes, which is why some feel that The Creep Tapes lacks something essential.

In a review from November 2024, YouTube critic Emma Wolfe expressed her thoughts on the series The Creep Tapes. She felt that its brief episodes made it seem less mature compared to traditional films, more akin to an extension of popular movie moments rather than a fully-structured story. Furthermore, she lamented the absence of the prolonged, tension-building silences that were present in the first two feature-length Creep movies. Critic Aramide Tinubu from Variety echoed this sentiment, stating that the rapid pace of each episode lacks the chilling undertones that make the films so unnerving, and instead perceives The Creep Tapes as more of a disjointed self-indulgent project than a true horror story featuring a murderous villain’s bloodlust. Ouch!

Besides the hurried atmosphere of “The Creep Tapes”, it surprisingly delivers too much in certain aspects. For example, Episode 1 follows a narrative similar to the initial film – Duplass’ antagonist assuming a fake identity and hiring a struggling videographer. However, Episode 6 provides additional information about Peachfuzz’s past, which is reminiscent of Norman Bates’ mother issues. Without revealing the intricate storyline involving an Oedipus complex, think of it as more insight into the psychological reasons behind Peachfuzz’s murderous tendencies. The sixth and concluding episode may challenge viewers’ expectations of the “Creep” franchise, offering glimpses into a genuine backstory for Peachfuzz. This revelation might have diminished some of the mystery surrounding “Creep”.

Here’s Why ‘Creep’ Fans May Want to Hold Their Breath for a ‘Creep 3’ Film

Clearly, despite scoring 75% on Rotten Tomatoes, The Creep Tapes isn’t considered a flop. Whether it was a successful or unsuccessful endeavor depends on individual perspectives. For fans of the original film, Creep, who have been eager to see Mark Duplass reprise his role as the eccentric movie-loving villain (the series includes nods to films like Misery, Forrest Gump, and 9½ Weeks), any spin-off could be viewed positively. However, for more discerning horror enthusiasts seeking fresh and innovative found footage with a bite, the current iteration of The Creep Tapes may not meet their expectations. Nevertheless, the release of The Creep Tapes in November 2024, ten years after the original film, has sparked speculation about whether another installment, Creep 3, is still in development.

As I reflect on my experience with the Creep franchise, I’ve come to understand that even the most unexpected sequels can happen. Despite some concepts we considered for a potential Creep 3 feeling overextended for a full-length film, I remain hopeful.

There’s a strong possibility that we’ll produce many more episodes of this show. Additionally, there may be an idea that we’ll find so intriguing that we’ll think, ‘We might require additional time to execute it perfectly and create a third ‘Creep’ from it.’ Who knows? We’re passionate about it and plan to keep going as long as we can.” Let ‘Creep’ thrive for many years.

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2025-01-16 01:32