The Creep Tapes

The Creep Tapes are out 7 years after the release of the 2nd film. It is a weekly show with the first 2 episodes out now on Shudder. Mark Duplass is back as the charming and disturbing serial killer "Peachfuzz" and he doesn't disappoint. Patrick Brice is also back to direct, which I am happy about. Patrick and Mark seem to make a great duo for this franchise. Personally, I am not typically a fan of found footage movies and shows. I'm not crazy about "Paranormal Activity" or "The Blair Witch Project", but with the CREEP franchise it just drew me in. Throughout the movies and the show, one thing it does so well is making the viewer feel uncomfortable and that is due to the superb acting by Mark. I hope we get to see him in more horror movies, he is meant for them. Each episode is a new victim, so it is fast paced. If you liked both of the movies you will more than likely enjoy this series.

If you are a fan of the franchise(I believe we can already call it a franchise), than I suggest you'll check out the "Creep Tapes", chilling atmosphere and unexpected climax is guaranteed just like the previous movies, truly a delight to any horror fan.

As of me writing this review only the first two episodes are available, but still this has been a ride worth waiting for, they are absolutely incredible, Mark Duplass steals the show with his natural charisma and convincing acting ability, to the point you truly can't tell the difference between what's fake and what's not, it truly feels like watching a serial killer's murder tapes.

I remember watching Creep on a whim, I hadn't heard much about it besides a few recommendations due to me enjoying the found footage genre. I knew Mark Duplass from The League and was seasons into recognizing him as Pete, but after watching it I was hooked and watched it 2x in the next 24 hours.

The 2nd movie I was a little apprehensive over, I thought 'could it be good if we know the twist?' The answer was a resounding yes, and I felt ridiculous for even doubting it. Flash forward to The Creep Tapes being announced, I have been hyped since the moment I read the words themselves and before I knew if it was a movie or show.

The way the franchise has managed to evolve while staying true to its unsettling, intimate tone is nothing short of brilliant. While Creep may not have revolutionized the found footage genre, it's carved out a unique space within it. Episode 1 titled Mike is simply insane, it shows you such a masterfully crafted performance by Duplass that you can't help but feel both captivated and deeply unsettled. The heart and soul of this franchise is Mark Duplass, and his portrayal of Peachfuzz continues to be a mesmerizing mix of charm, vulnerability, and sheer menace.

The Creep Tapes expand upon what we know in the best way, showing off Peachfuzz in full form with only 25 minutes of go time. He's a diva - manipulative, entertaining, and terrifying all at once. It's a rare and fascinating look at a character who thrives on making others uncomfortable while remaining utterly enigmatic.

The Creep Tapes episodes 1 & 2 set a high bar for the season, but if the show is able to maintain the level of tension, creativity, character exploration, and the pure brat that is Peachfuzz, they may end up elevating this franchise into a household name.

....this series is not, it is just rehashing the basic premise of the films and nothing new is happening here,

I have seen three episodes so far, with no real suspense or creepy dread as in the films, and I was getting bored by the end of the third. They are not funny either, which was part of the absurd charm of the two movies.

I wish Duplass had gone ahead with a third film instead of this series; it is hit or miss like Room 104 was, but that series was brilliant overall; it had different stories each time that were original and complete, while this series is just the same thing over and over again and just not as engaging.

I love the first two Creep movies and I especially can't wait for the third movie, but until then we have this tv series and it was good.

Positives for The Creep Tapes (2024-): Mark Duplass still does a great job with his performance as Josef and he is very consistent in these 6 episodes. There are moments in these 6 episodes that are very effectively disturbing to watch. I also love the variety of different kills that we get in these episodes. And finally, the found footage aspect from the movie translates into the tv format very well.

Negatives for The Creep Tapes (2024-): While I liked Mark Duplass' performance in the series, Josef was a very irritating character. Now I get this is how the character works, but he is so unbearable to watch on screen that I just want to strangle him. The way how he is able to kill these people is really annoying and this is coming from someone who listens the things that he says and he sounds pathetic. It's to the point where I would leave at all cost and even if he tries to stop me, I would kick his butt until he submits like a baby. It's tis aspect alone that makes me question why this series exist aside from keeping peoples interest in this franchise until the third movie comes out.

Overall, The Creep Tapes (2024-) is a good tv spin off to this horror franchise and I'm still excited for Creep 3 whenever it comes out, but the character of Josef kinda tanked my experience with the series.