CREEP – Second Sight Blu Review
Did 2014’s Creep redefine the found-footage genre?
Perhaps not, but it certainly added more than it took away and definitely made a notable mark on the horror genre through its distinctive blend of found-footage aesthetics and psychological tension. Directed by Patrick Brice and co-written by Brice and Mark Duplass, the film features them both as the characters in this two hander. The story centres on Aaron (Brice), a cash-strapped videographer who answers a Craigslist ad posted by Josef (Duplass), someone claiming he wants to record a video diary for his unborn child. However, as the day unfolds in a remote cabin, Josef’s behaviour gets too be more erratic and moves from slightly eccentric to genuinely disturbing.
What sets Creep apart is its semi improvisational nature, inspired by Brice’s personal experiences with platforms like Craigslist. The small budget, small crew (those two) nature of the shoot means it utilises minimalism and character-driven suspense to channel that same raw, intimate and unnerving atmosphere seen in earlier found-footage successes like The Blair Witch Project.
Shot on a shoestring budget, Creep maximises its limitations, using the narrow lens of found-footage to heighten suspense. The viewer feels Aaron’s growing sense of dread along with him. The film doesn’t rely on any jump scares, but the few that are there pack a decent punch. The character of Josef, with his unsettling mix of charm and menace, remains particularly influential as a model for “everyman” sociopaths in subsequent indie horror.
Critically, Creep was well-received, holding a 91% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a solid score of 74 on Metacritic, indicating generally favourable reviews. Viewers praised it for its smart execution and Duplass’s compelling, chilling performance.
Creep stands as a testament to how minimalist horror can effectively unsettle and engage audiences, proving influential in both independent filmmaking circles and among horror aficionados and now it’s finally getting the lavish treatment it deserves with a limited-edition Blu-ray release from Second Sight Films. Essentially Creep is a masterclass in psychological horror with an intimate, unnerving touch and perfectly demonstrates how you can make something superb with no money and an idea.
It’s gathered a devoted following over the years. Its influence extended into a sequel that deepened the lore and added more layers to Josef’s enigma, who knows, perhaps we’ll get a Second Sight of that soon?
Creep Limited Edition Blu-ray Box set is set for release on 9 December 2024 and will also be available as a Standard Edition. The set is presented in a stunning rigid slipcase complete with new artwork by Luke Headland and comes packed with a slew of brilliant special features including a new commentary, interviews and a live Q & A with cast and crew, a deleted scene, an alternative ending and more, so let’s take a look at the Special Features
• New audio commentary with director Patrick Brice, editor Christopher Donlon and actor Mark Duplass
A nice retrospective look at the film, ten years after the making. This one has a different feel to it from the archive commentary. It’s more laid back and slightly less giddy, but still packed with info and insight. The nice thing here is that it doesn’t just rehash the original commentary, it adds more and covers a lot of new ground, especially with it having Chris Donlon involved this time. Patrick’s laugh is still as contagious as ever and they cover the pee my pants story again.
• Archive audio commentary with Patrick Brice and Mark Duplass
A lovely, giddy commentary by Patrick (Aaron) and Mark (Josef) they talk about “Peachfuzz”, which was the beginnings of Creep. They discuss a lot about the making of the film, including really interesting bits about reshoots and jump cuts. Thinking they reshot some bits a year later is unbelievable. You get the feeling when the commentary goes quiet that it’s just these two friends forgetting they’re not just suppose to be watching the film together. Really interesting. Patrick’s pee my pants story is funny. This was recorded before the original release, and so they discuss a lot about pre release, how excited they are for the release. Just two friends discussing a fun project they made.
• Peachfuzz: A new interview with director Patrick Brice
A 37 minute interview with Patrick. The interview is a bog standard straight to camera with a blue curtain backdrop. Well lit, nicely shot and with superb sound. The imagery and footage interspersed throughout is really good, well thought out and gives the feel of a mini doc. Have to say Second Sight do these retrospective interviews really well.
• Into Darker Territory: A new interview with actor Mark Duplass
A shorter interview than the Brice one at just under 19 minutes. The interview bits are shot in a cinema/theatre seating. Again this one has good use of footage clipped in and he discusses the ideas behind the film, making it more interesting than it already was. Great interview yet again.
• Expand the Universe: A new interview with editor Christopher Donlon
Just over 16 minutes for this one. Again nicely shot but I think Chris had been put in the storage area backstage. Chris seems slightly less comfortable on camera and almost embarrassed at his skills, which are many. If you think of what he had to work with here, 2 guys going and shooting stuff for a week, it makes you wonder what he received. Interesting interview coming from a completely different aspect of the movie.
• 10 Years of Creep: A live Q&A with Cast and Crew
A 30 minute live Q&A shot at a screening event. Q&A’s are always fascinating. Covers a lot of ground you’ll have already heard if you’ve watched with commentary. This has Patrick on the cinema screen and Mark and Chris being interviewed in front of the screen. Would have been amazing to be there live and you get that feeling from watching. This was good as the interviewer gets out of the way, so often at live events the person doing the interview can try to make it about them, this avoids that really well. She asks the question and lets them answer. Chris’s microphone is either broken or ridiculously low so you struggle to hear him, but that makes you pay more attention.
• Deleted Scene: Cold Opening
Quite a Blair Witch style scene this, much more horror like than the final film was. I think this would have changed the overall feel of the film had it been included. For better or worse? I’m undecided.
• Alternative Scene: Message to Aaron
Love this scene. Mark Duplass plays Josef so well and this taps into that unhinged, sociopathic nature of the character.
• Alternative Endings
They briefly discuss alternate endings in the commentaries and it’s great to get to see them even though we only get two. The ending we got in the actual film is definitely the best of the three.
Limited Edition Contents
• Rigid slipcase with new artwork by Luke Headland
• 70-page book with new essays by Sarah Appleton, Kat Ellinger, David Kittredge and Amber T
• Six collectors’ art cards
Overall another great set of extras from the team at Second Sight that manages to give a lot of info on a short, low budget, small crew movie without rehashing the same thing multiple times.
The limited-edition Blu-ray from Second Sight Films is a must-have for fans and newcomers alike, promising not just the film in its sharpest, most detailed form but enriched with special features that delve into its making. For those who appreciate horror that doesn’t need excessive gore to chill, Creep is a testament to the power of creativity on a budget.
Grab your copy, settle in, and let Creep remind you why sometimes, the scariest monsters are the ones who can look you in the eye and smile.
