Creep 2

Both more unsettling and funnier than the first film, this is a noticeable step up. I especially liked the way the subtly shifting balance of power between Sara and Aaron was handled by director and actors, and the opening scene established a clear sense of tension lacking in the predecessor. It only loses its way in the last 10 minutes, which seem a little convoluted and Sara's actions in particular just don't ring true. Otherwise an enjoyable improvement on the solid first film.

Solid sequel, still good at being unpredictable, but I feel as though the ending was really just leaving a window for a third movie opportunity, which in this case felt cheap, but great film

Even though I enjoyed this more than the first film, both have to be seen in order to fully appreciate the dark humour and sheer lunacy of this series. I have no idea where the final film in the trilogy is going to go, which is the entire reason for wanting to see more, as even if you guess what is coming next, you are still surprised at the outcome. Events move along very quickly, with some laugh out loud moments and some moments of terror, and it all works so well, but nearly everything Duplass does works well. If you enjoy horror but are not really into the typical crazy-stalker-slasher junk, this series is well worth watching.

Creep 2 (2017)

*** (out of 4)

Sara (Desiree Akhaven) runs a YouTube station where she meets up with men who post online ads looking for love. She feels that the series is going nowhere when she spots an ad with a man asking for a video artist. Sara agreed to meet Aaron (Mark Duplass) who informs her that he's a serial killer who has hit a dry spot in his life. Aaron promises not to kill her but he wants her to film him for a day.

I ran across the original CREEP by a complete accident but it turned out to be a nice little gem that was very much worth watching. As soon as it was over I was wanting a sequel and here it is. Is CREEP 2 as good as the original film? Not at all. It falls well short of the original movie but at the same time I must admit that it kept me entertained throughout and it's certainly worth watching.

Director Patrick Brice, who played the video artist in the first movie, co-wrote the screenplay with Duplass and I must admit that I really like what the two of them are doing with this series. I liked the entire set-up here and especially the point of view of the video artist since she knows she's in a bad spot yet she is willing to risk her life to get what could end up being a hit. How many people do stupid things to try and get fame on social media?

The one area where the film disappointed was the fact that it really wasn't creepy or scary. The original had some creepy moments but sadly that doesn't happen here. With that said, there's no question that this is a rather interesting character study and one that remains entertaining throughout. A lot of credit needs to go to Akhaven and Duplass as both of them are good in their roles and they share a believable chemistry that helps make the story.

CREEP 2 certainly isn't a masterpiece and it is flawed but if you were a fan of the first film then you should enjoy this one.

The original Creep was one of the biggest, most pleasant surprises of 2015. It managed to feel minimal in its storytelling while being completely terrifying and intriguing. This sequel works as a film. It's definitely less terrifying, but it seems like the writers/director knew that and decided to take a different approach. This feels more of a character study of our main antagonist. Because we know much more about him now, the dread and atmosphere of the first is no longer there and instead we drive further into his psyche. It works in different ways, even if the film isn't as consistent as the first.