The Creep Tapes on Shudder expand the horror universe in terrifying fashion

As a seasoned horror enthusiast with over two decades of gut-wrenching experiences under my belt, I can confidently say that The Creep Tapes have catapulted to the top of my list of most terrifying viewing experiences. Having binge-watched the original films and their sequel series on Netflix, I was both eager and apprehensive about diving into this Shudder spinoff.


Among the scariest movies that premiered on Netflix, the “Creep” series stands out. Now, this franchise has transitioned to Shudder by means of a sequel TV show, and the outcome is no less frightening – if anything, it might be even more chilling.

A little over ten years ago, the initial Creep movie was unveiled to an unsuspecting audience. This innovative production was masterminded by Patrick Brice and Mark Duplass, who also took on the roles of filmmakers and actors in it. In the story, Brice plays a videographer capturing footage of his peculiar client, played by Duplass. However, things are not always as they appear, leading to a chilling sequence of actual terror.

2017 saw the release of Creep 2, where the Duplass character, along with his Peachfuzz persona, pursued a fresh target for terror. There had been discussions about a third film, but unfortunately, that planned sequel never came to fruition.

Previously, Brice and Duplass created a spin-off series for Shudder, and the initial three episodes were premiered at Fantastic Fest. This means we have a good idea about the upcoming escapades of Peachfuzz.

What are The Creep Tapes about?

The Creep Tapes on Shudder expand the horror universe in terrifying fashion

The Creep Tapes, unlike the full-length Creep movies, maintain their focus on the character of the serial killer portrayed by Mark Duplass. These tapes follow him as he persistently hunts for victims and ultimately takes their lives.

In episode 1, titled ‘Mike’, we get a fresh start or reintroduction for new viewers, with its narrative style reminiscent of the initial film.

Mike, a skilled filmmaker, was enticed by actor Jeff Daniels (Duplass) to his residence to assist him in creating a trial video for the “top-tier, nine-month acting-for-camera program” across the nation.

The duo takes delight in recreating a scene from Misery, but things soon become ominous, mirroring the sinister tone of the source material.

Title ‘Brandt’ of The Creep Tapes unfolds within a motel room setting, where the Duplass character grapples with an emotional quandary, facing up to the codependent bond he shares with Peachfuzz.

In Episode 3, titled ‘Mom (and Albert)’, we find our protagonist returning home to visit his mother. Implicitly, various Freudian themes are hinted at. When he encounters his mom’s new companion, it’s safe to say their encounter doesn’t go smoothly.

Mark Duplass on why Creep is now a TV series

The Creep Tapes on Shudder expand the horror universe in terrifying fashion

In a conversation during the post-screening discussion at Fantastic Fest, Mark Duplass expressed his initial thoughts about shifting from films to TV shows, stating, “At first, I believed it might be our shortcoming in not creating a third movie that we considered truly exceptional.

Later on, while strolling through my neighborhood, I picked up the phone and said to Patrick, “You know, we’ve got so many fantastic ideas for Creep 3. Why don’t we combine them all and create a TV series? We can produce numerous episodes this way. Since you’re occupied and I am too, we won’t need to block out 12 consecutive days. Instead, we could take short trips of two or three days at a time.

In essence, what you’re looking at is a practical approach, where we break down existing resources such as time, creativity, and finances, to effectively bring the concept to life.

Regarding creating Creep movies versus producing Creep TV series, Duplass stated: “It’s much more enjoyable filming episodes. We’ve always found it difficult to effectively convey this character and story within an 80-minute format. There are several obstacles, one of the main ones being keeping a character engaging over such a prolonged period.

After watching all three films during Fantastic Fest, I find myself leaning towards Duplass’ perspective. These movies certainly provoke thoughts about why the characters don’t escape when things become strange and subsequently frightening.

However, due to the brief duration of each episode, it’s quite plausible that the main character might overlook a peculiar remark or minor misbehavior without feeling an immediate urge to depart.

These shorter durations make the stories easier to digest. Just like The Office is known for its cringe comedy, this is cringe horror. It would be excruciating to endure 90 minutes with David Brent, but 25 minutes is tolerable. Similarly, it’s challenging to spend so much time with Duplass’s character. In my opinion, these shorter tales are just as effective, if not more so, compared to their full-length counterparts.

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2024-10-04 14:48