Creep 2

This sequel was always going to struggle after the first film came out of nowhere and blew people away with how unique it felt. Most of the original Creep generated its atmosphere from the audience's lack of knowledge about the main character and what his actual motivations were. This time we are aware of who he is and what he is about, so while eager to see what happens this time it would be hard to pull off the same magic with a completely similar plot. Luckily the creators knew this and made enough changes to the dynamic, while still basically keeping it in line with the expectations set by the first, to give a fresh feel to the set up. While they kept in most of the unease that made the first Creep great, they also actually delved more into the main character and his backstory, if he is ever to be believed. This possibly more intimate view of the main takes away a small amount of the tension since he has to become more vulnerable and likable, but it is done in such a way where it is still enjoyable and gripping, and events unfold without too much of an obvious conclusion. Overall it is a worthy sequel, if in my opinion not as good as the original, and is well worth a watch.

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.

Creep 2 is a worthy sequel to the 2014 Creep. It feels like watching a man have a midlife crisis on camera, except this man is a serial killer. We once again see Josef, although this time he isn't trying to kill anyone, rather make a documentary so he doesn't die an unknown serial killer. Sara is a struggling videographer that needs exciting footage to give her career a boost. Both actors play off each other very well in this and keep you watching and always curious about what will happen next. Only thing I was left wondering is when Creep 3 is coming out!

The follow-up chapter to Creep may not have the wicked delights of the original's discovery but that doesn't mean it is any less intense, unnerving or discomforting. The setup is virtually the same, the treatment is slightly altered and thanks to our knowledge of the protagonist's true identity, it manages to keep us on edge at all times.

Co-written & directed by Patrick Brice, the story at first seems like a rehash with a new victim but this latest intended target turns out to be more confronting & less perturbed by our serial killer. Playing along with his eccentricity, she matches him on several occasions and keeps pushing & challenging him for a reaction until the chilling finale.

This different approach doesn't make it better or more compelling than last time but due to our familiarity to the situation, the foreboding anxiety is omnipresent. The creepy, weird stories are out of the picture and replaced by gruesome details of past killings. And Mark Duplass is terrific as before but Desiree Akhavan leaves a lasting mark of her own as well.

Overall, Creep 2 is a worthy sequel to its predecessor and makes for yet another palpably tense & gradually escalating ride that's almost as thrilling as the original if not more. Opening with a vicious prologue, slowed down by empty patches in the middle, and lacking the shocking appeal of previous entry's finale, Creep 2 is slightly less effective but it still delivers the goods.

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