CREEP 2, the follow up to Patrick Brice’s sleeper hit, CREEP is a rare treat in that it’s a sequel that is almost better than it’s predecessor in terms of story, acting, humor and fear. For the sequel, Mark Duplass returns, alongside newcomer Desiree Akhavan, with Patrick Brice once again directing.

The film centers around Sara (Akhavan), a video artist who has her own YouTube-like show that focuses on creating intimacy with lonely men. Feeling defeated about the content of her show, Sara contemplates moving on until she sees a Craigslist ad that sparks her interest. Honestly, I don’t blame her, any ad that says “Must be a fan of Interview With the Vampire” would spark my interest as well. Agreeing to meet with the mysterious subject, Sara drives out to the woods and meets a man (Duplass) who claims to be one of the most prolific, yet unheard of, serial killers. At his revelation, Sara believe she has found the subject of her dreams, and though she doesn’t believe him to be a killer, decides to spend the day documenting his story. However, she soon learns that what she first thought were fabrications of a delusional man may actually be the truth, putting her square in the path of a deadly killer.

It goes without saying that I absolutely loved this film. Having been such a fan of the first film, I was ecstatic when I learned a sequel was on it’s way, and the fact that it didn’t come close to being disappointing was even more remarkable. I truly believe Mark Duplass is a goddamn national treasure that we should all be thankful to have, because in every film he is in, he shines. Not only is he a talented actor, but his humor, wit, and sarcasm meshes perfectly, especially in this type of film. Desiree Akhavan is also just as mesmerizing as Sara, and though her emotions are pretty even-keel, you can tell she is just as troubled as the subjects she documents. However, what really makes the film so dynamic is the chemistry between Duplass and Akhavan. Knowing that the film is primarily improvised, I was incredibly impressed with how well both of them worked off of each other. For a film that relies on their actors performances to bring the story to life, Duplass and Akhavan nailed it.

As for the story itself, I thought it was the perfect way to bring the next chapter of CREEP to life. I loved how Duplass’ character was hitting that ripe old age of 40 and was finding himself in the midst of a mid-life crisis. Killing just isn’t the same for him and he’s not sure what to do or what will bring him the happiness that he craves. When Sara arrives, it’s almost as if she’s invigorated him and through his interaction with her, he begins to find the joy that he has lost. As for the humor that we’ve all come to love from Duplass, he most certainly brings his A game in this film. Though it’s dry, it’s still packs a punch, and there were many times I found myself laughing out loud, especially when “Interview With the Vampire” is brought up. Also, for fans of Peach Fuzz, don’t fret, he most certainly makes an appearance or two. In the end, the fact that the humor and the dark storyline all worked together perfectly is an accomplishment that most films never reach. Director Patrick Brice was able to weave all of this together seamlessly while also making you feel emotions towards the characters and at the same time never making the notion of this film being “found footage” implausible.

Overall, CREEP 2 has easily become one of my favorite films of 2017. I rarely get the chance to watch a movie twice and this was one of those rare times where I sat down and watched it numerous times because I loved it so much. Duplass once again shines as his own misunderstood serial killer and Desiree Akhavan is the perfect companion to document the life and times of this killer. My only critique is that I wanted so much more and wished the film went longer, but with an ending that left a bit of a cliffhanger, I can only assume that a third film will round out this fantastic and underappreciated series of films. If you are looking for a movie to kick off the week leading up to Halloween, than make sure to check out CREEP 2, now available to watch on all digital platforms.

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Shannon McGrew

Founder/Co-Owner at Nightmarish Conjurings

Shannon is the Founder of Nightmarish Conjurings and a lover of all things horror and haunt related. When she's not obsessively collecting all things "Trick 'R Treat" related, or trying to convince everyone that "Hereditary" is one of the greatest horror films ever made, you can find her designing interiors for commercial restaurants. An avid haunt fan, Shannon spends the entire year visiting haunts and immersive experiences throughout the Southern California area and hopes to one day design her own haunted attraction.

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