For fans of unsettling found-footage horror films, Creep (2014) is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered on Netflix.
Directed by Patrick Brice, who also stars alongside Mark Duplass, this disturbing cinematic journey combines elements of psychological horror and suspense, making it a must-watch for those who relish the dark and eerie.
Creep delves deep into the disturbing and mysterious world of its central character, Josef (Mark Duplass). However, the movie is primarily seen through the lens of Aaron (played by Patrick Brice), a freelance videographer who accepts a cryptic job offer from Josef via Craigslist.
Tasked with recording Josef’s life for a day, Aaron becomes entangled in a chilling and unpredictable series of events that will leave audiences questioning the nature of the characters and the authenticity of the footage.
What is Creep about?
The plot of Creep revolves around Josef’s increasingly bizarre and unsettling behaviour as Aaron documents his daily life. What begins as a seemingly harmless filming project quickly takes a sinister turn as Josef’s intentions become increasingly obscure.
The hair-raising tension and suspense in the film are heightened as viewers are left to wonder about Josef’s true nature and what lies behind his façade. As the story unfolds, the movie skillfully blurs the line between reality and fiction, making it an immersive experience for fans of the found-footage genre.
Creep is a horror gem for several reasons. It plays on our deep-seated fears of the unknown and the unpredictability of human behaviour. Duplass’s portrayal of Josef is both charismatic and deeply disturbing, making him a terrifying antagonist. The film successfully uses minimalistic settings and an unscripted feel to create a sense of dread that creeps up on the audience, mirroring the movie’s title.
The found-footage format, with Aaron’s camera serving as the audience’s primary perspective, adds an authentic element to the story. Viewers are given a front-row seat to the unnerving events, making the film feel disturbingly personal and intense.
The shaky camera work, the naturalistic performances, and the slow burn of the story all combine to create a deeply unique sense of unease and discomfort. It’s a film that demands your attention.
Creep may just be a masterpiece within the found-footage horror genre, but its sequel is almost just as disturbing.
The erotic elements of Creep 2
The second film, Creep 2, maintains the found-footage format and is directed by Brice, who reprises his role as the lead character. However, it introduces a new character, Sara (Desiree Akhavan), an online content creator.
While it retains the uneasy atmosphere of the original, the sequel delves deeper into the psychological aspects of the characters and their interactions with some moments of intimacy coded in disturbing eroticism.
