Horror Movie Review: Creep 2 (2017)

“Welcome to Encounters…”

Creep 2 is a 2017 American found footage horror film directed by Patrick Brice and written by Brice and Mark Duplass. It stars Mark Duplass, Desiree Akhavan and Karan Soni. It is the sequel to the 2014 film Creep. Jason Blum is serving as a producer through his Blumhouse Productions banner.

Dave (Karan Soni) receives a package at his home, opening it to find a stuffed wolf and DVD titled, “Watch Me.” After he begins watching the tape Josef (now going by the name of Aaron) (Mark Duplass) knocks on the door. Dave greets him as a friend, not knowing that Aaron himself sent the package. He offers him a beer while they discuss the disturbing video. While Dave is in the kitchen, Aaron gestures and grins toward the stuffed wolf.

Aaron then admits to Dave that he greatly values their friendship. But then reveals that it was he who took the footage and sent the package, in addition to putting a camera inside the stuffed wolf to tape Dave’s reaction. Dave grows increasingly wary, and Aaron admits he is a serial killer. When Dave stands up to leave the table, Aaron slashes his throat with a knife and pats the back of his head as he passes.

Sara (Desiree Akhavan) is a college student working as a videographer. She’s making money before graduate school, in addition to working on her passion project: a YouTube series entitled “Encounters.” In the show, Sara tapes strangers she meets on Craigslist and fulfills their odd friendship and mentor requests. Frustrated with the low traffic the series is receiving, she plans to end the show with a finale. Looking for her final interviewee, she finds a request from Aaron. He offers to pay $1,000 to a videographer willing to document him for an entire day. After an odd text exchange between the two, Aaron invites her to meet him.

Sara drives out to his home, where Aaron, now with long hair and a beard, invites her in to explain his proposition. Almost immediately, he reveals to Sara that he’s a serial killer. He wishes for her to film a short documentary on his life and largely unknown crimes. In addition to the $1,000 for the day of shooting, he also offers her 24-hour protection from being his next victim and a visual “window into his soul.”

Although nervous, Sara accepts his offer. Aaron then shows Sara a video of his “favorite” murder (from the original Creep) and his wolf mask. He also strips nude in front of her to “tear down any barriers between them,” which Sara does as well. Before they begin shooting, Sara briefly locks herself in the bathroom to hide a knife in her boot. She vlogs about all the red flags she’s gotten from their time together. But decides to continue anyway to create the best possible episode of “Encounters.”

Aaron then takes Sara into the nearby woods for footage. When they arrive to the spot he scouted. Aaron is angry that the river he planned for the taping of his interview has dropped to the height of a small creek. Sara insists they do the interview anyway. Aaron sits in the ankle-deep water for the shot. After growing annoyed at the interruptions of nearby birds and an airplane, Aaron takes a break and returns home.

Later, Sara reveals to the camera that Aaron has grown incredibly depressed since the failed shoot. He shuts himself in his Jacuzzi room and blasting a jam-band song on repeat. Sara eventually forces her way in and ignores Aaron’s requests to leave. After some prodding, he opens up about his past in a pseudo-interview, discussing his first violent experience at the age of 14. Sara goes to take a shower. While in the shower, Aaron looks through her camera footage. In which she reveals her doubts that he is a serial killer, and hides a knife in her right shoe.

After trying to scare each other, the two play a game of hide-and-seek in the woods. Feeling content with his life to date, Aaron asks Sara if she’ll help him commit suicide on video to complete the documentary.

Is this the end for Josef (Aaron)? Will Peachfuzz finally rest in peace?

So here I am again reviewing the Creep series. I’ll be back to review Creep 3 in a year or more because Patrick Brice has confirmed that there will definitely be a third instalment. I’d hoped I’d seen the last of Peachfuzz with Creep but unfortunately that mask straight from my nightmares has been resurrected in this infinitely better sequel. Creep 2 is better in many ways because it’s the exact opposite of its predecessor.

Instead of Josef trying to hide who he is, he’s completely open about it. Straight off the bat his interactions with Sara are equal parts honest and comical. He asks Sara if she likes Interview With The Vampire and if she can handle the danger of interviewing a serial killer. Of course we know she can from her Encounters series. So straight away, we have a perfect reason for why she doesn’t run off screaming. She thinks she’s in control and using Josef for her own gain but she could never imagine what he’s telling her is true.

Creep 2 is social commentary on how far someone in the modern era will go for internet fame. Would you interview a prolific serial killer to get millions of views on YouTube? A lot of people would.

This movie is almost a parody of itself and I love it. It’s tense, uncomfortable and also pretty funny at times. Mark Duplass has really come into the character and taken it to a whole new, improved level. I can’t wait for Creep 3: Josef goes to New York to see what’s in store for us next.