| Creep 2 | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Patrick Brice |
| Written by |
|
| Based on | Characters created by Patrick Brice Mark Duplass |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography |
|
| Edited by | Christopher Donlon |
| Music by | Julian Wass |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by |
|
Release dates |
|
Running time | 80 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Creep 2 is a 2017 Americanfound footagepsychological horror film directed byPatrick Brice and written by Brice andMark Duplass. It is a sequel to Brice's 2014 filmCreep, and the second installment in thefranchise of the same name. Duplass reprises his role from the first film as a serial killer who lures unsuspecting videographers to their deaths, withDesiree Akhavan portraying his latest target.
The film had its world premiere at theSitges Film Festival on October 6, 2017, and was released byThe Orchard onvideo on demand on October 24, 2017. Like its predecessor,Creep 2 was also critically acclaimed, with much praise focused on the film's writing, atmosphere, dark humor, and the performances among the leads.
Brice has confirmed that a third film is in development.[2] A television series titledThe Creep Tapes debuted onShudder andAMC+ on November 15, 2024.
A prolificserial killer, using the name "Aaron" after aprevious victim, finds himself dissatisfied with his killings and undergoing a midlife crisis. When his latest ad for a videographer luresYouTuber Sara to his remote cabin, Aaron changes his approach by admitting he is a serial killer who will let Sara live for the next 24 hours if she records a documentary on his life. Sara, doubting his revelation, agrees to film Aaron in the hope that the video will popularize her unsuccessful web series about eccentricCraigslist clients.
Over the course of the day, Aaron struggles to intimidate Sara, who plays along with his various eccentricities. While Sara continues to doubt that Aaron is a serial killer, Aaron informs her that he intends to conclude the documentary by having her kill him. He eventually manages to horrify Sara by staging a suicide attempt, which almost causes her to leave. However, after Aaron reveals that his life was not in danger, she remains to hear Aaron share intimate details about himself, culminating in the two sharing a kiss.
Aaron brings Sara outside to announce that the documentary will end with them committing suicide together. Sara attempts to escape when she sees Aaron stab himself in the stomach, but Aaron stabs her and drags her into an open grave he dug. As Aaron gives a closing monologue, a still-alive Sara emerges from the grave and strikes him in the back of the head with a shovel before fleeing.
Afterwards, Sara is recorded in public by an unidentified individual whistling a tune heard in Aaron's videos. When Sara notices the individual filming her, the camera abruptly cuts away.
Additionally, Kyle Field,Caveh Zahedi, and Jeff Man portray Wade, Randy, and Alex, subjects featured in Sara's web series. DirectorPatrick Brice reappears in his role as Aaron (referred to in the credits as "Old Aaron") through archive footage from thefirst film.
In March 2014, it was announced Duplass had plans on making the film into a trilogy, withRADiUS-TWC producing and distributing the films[3][4][5] and production taking place later in the year.[6] In February 2015, Duplass stated production hadn't begun due to scheduling issues.[7] In August 2016, Duplass began trying on costumes for the film.[8] That same month, Brice confirmed the sequel was moving forward.[9]
Principal photography on the film began in September 2016.[10]
Julian Wass composed the soundtrack forCreep 2. The song that plays in the end credits is "Botanica de Los Angeles" byXiu Xiu, taken from their albumAngel Guts: Red Classroom.
It had its world premiere at theSitges Film Festival on October 6, 2017.[11] The film was released throughvideo on demand on October 24, 2017.[12] It was released throughNetflix on December 23, 2017.[13]
Onreview aggregator websiteRotten Tomatoes, the film hasan approval rating of 100% based on 29 reviews, with an average rating of 7.7/10. The site's consensus reads, "Creep 2 has everything that made the original work and more - more laughs, more awkwardness, more unsettling terror."[14] OnMetacritic, the film has a score of 75 out of 100, based on reviews from 5 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[15]
John DeFore ofThe Hollywood Reporter wrote: "The sequel will impress any fan of the original. It's fresher than most of the low-budget thrillers gracing theaters lately."[16] Kimberley Elizabeth of Nightmare on Film Street called the film "hypnotically unsettling", giving the film a 4 out of 4 rating.[17] Mike Sprague ofJoBlo.com said the film was "just as unsettling and entertaining as the original" and awarded it an 8 out of 10 rating.[18]
In 2017, Brice confirmed that a third film, titledCreep 3, was in development, with Brice and Duplass returning as director and star respectively.[2]
On June 4, 2024, Duplass announcedThe Creep Tapes, a series set in the same universe as the films. Each half-hour episode focuses on a different victim of the serial killer.[19] The series premiered on the streaming servicesShudder andAMC+ on November 15, 2024.