The film begins with Aaron (Patrick Brice), on his way to a mountain cabin
after responding to an online ad asking for someone to spend the day
filming... something. He's not sure what the job is exactly, but he's
low on cash and the $1,000 pay for a day's work sounds good to him. His
unease, though, is evident almost immediately as he pulls up to a long,
sloping driveway, parks at the bottom and makes his way to the front
door.
He knocks, no one answers. He calls, no one answers. He waits, no one
arrives. He heads back to his car and, BOOM, Josef (Mark Duplass) scares him
half to death, the first of many jump scares within the film's tight
narrative. The jump scares are given purpose as Josef will later suggest
it offers up the thought of a near-death experience, bringing out or
true selves and primal instincts. We also soon learn this guy is a bit
off, but first to the reason why Aaron is there.
Josef tells Aaron he has a cancerous tumor in his head and wants to
make a video diary of himself for his unborn son. First stop, the bath
tub, where Josef pretends to bathe a baby during "tubby time". It's the
first of many awkward situations and conversations before the narrative
goes down some dark corners, riffing on a few horror cliches along the
way with far less comedy than you might have wished.
Living up to the film's title, Mark Duplass puts on a smiley face for
the rest of the film's duration, pops on a wolf mask he calls "Peachfuzz" as if
it's a common, everyday occurrence, and tells stories that would send
anyone running for the hills. But, why would Aaron even stick around? Well,
like so many horror films, and found footage horror films especially,
reason and wise decision making are not always to be expected. Creep
does attempt to give as much reason for Aaron's behavior as it can to
keep the story moving forward and it's clear several moments were meant to be
considered as tongue-in-cheek, but this film won't be winning over those
that have already given up on the found footage style of film-making.
Creep directed by Patrick Brice ("Baghead"), may make you wish that he had flipped the antagonist and
protagonist. Nevertheless, they are already in discussions about making one or even more sequels.