‘Demented’ horror series based on iconic films will be your next binge watch-Rebecca Sayce-Entertainment – Metro

The Creep Tapes have arrived on Shudder continuing the ‘demented’ story of a twisted serial killer that began with 2014 horror film Creep.

Created by Patrick Brice and Mark Duplass, found footage phenomenon Creep follows the story of Josef (Duplass), who hires struggling filmmaker Aaron (Brice) to film him in his dying days recording a message for his unborn son.

But Aaron soon finds there’s something sinister to Josef behind his eccentric yet endearing demeanour as his awkward behaviour becomes increasingly more dangerous.

The film premiered at South by Southwest in 2014, with its rave reviews and overall success spawning a sequel in 2017 which saw Josef (or whatever new pseudonym he adopts) growing disappointed with his killings and undergoing a midlife crisis.

He hires Sara (Desiree Akhavan), a videographer whom he tells he is a serial killer and promises to spare her life if she films a documentary focusing on him.

Brice and Duplass have confirmed that a third film is in the works, but in the meantime, we rejoin Josef and his masked alter-ego Peachfuzz in The Creep Tapes, a six-episode series which has begun on Shudder.

The Creep Tapes sees Mark Duplass return to his role as Josef – or whatever new name he goes by now (Picture: Youtube/Shudder)

It sees the central serial killer claim six new victims across its six episodes (Picture: Youtube/Shudder)

It is part of the franchise which began with Patrick Brice’s Creep in 2014 (Picture: Youtube/Shudder)

Pulling from Josef’s extensive ‘murder tapes’ collection, The Creep Tapes delves into how the prolific serial killer became who he is, with each episode following a new cat-and-mouse game between him and his latest victim.

The first two episodes are available to stream now, with the remaining four dropping every Friday.

The series has already been branded one of ‘the best of the year’ in early reviews, with some dubbing it ‘innovative’ and a ‘work of art.’

AV Club wrote in their review: ‘At its best, The Creep Tapes transcends its content-mill trappings and becomes something approaching a work of art.’

Bloody Disgusting said: ‘It’s not a reinvention of the format, but rather a fun experiment that explores more dark corners and impulses of a disturbed individual. Duplass’s titular Creep still gets under your skin, but he’s just as prone to sending you into hysterical fits.’

Dread Central added: ‘It’s hard not to be impressed with how well this series works, and the sheer force of its particularly sinister mix of comedy, cringe, and sheer dread makes it feel like an all-time piece of horror media in the making, a worthy younger sibling to the two films that made this franchise what it is today.’

On X, user BrettRedacted wrote: ‘The Creep Tapes series starts on Shudder tomorrow and fans of the movies are in for a real treat; it delivers on everything that made them work originally and then leans into the silliness, fully taking advantage of the form/format. A hoot!’

After three episodes premiered at Fantastic Fest 2024, Slasher Reviews reported on the platform: ‘As a massive fan of the Creep movies I just saw the first 3 episodes of The Creep Tapes and not to sound hyperbolic but Peachfuzz is so back. This is easily going to be my favorite TV show of the year.

Many dubbed the new Shudder series the best horror release of 2024 (Picture: Youtube/Shudder)

Duplass’ performance in the lead role was highly praised by critics and fans alike (Picture: Youtube/Shudder)

‘Unhinged, hilarious, scary, and shockingly horny! The wait was worth it.’

Jarrod Jones added: ‘With scuzzy showmanship from a never-better Mark Duplass, The Creep Tapes is an inventive and fascinating expansion of the gnarly serial killer film series. barring one crappy episode, it’s also easily one of the best shows I’ve seen this year.’

Similarly, DeVaughn Taylor said: ‘The Creep Tapes are everything I wanted from a Peachfuzz threequel, except more! Duplass is in top demented (and physical 🥵) form as we really get to know the enigmatic creep through some fun scenarios. Absolutely hilarious, peak social cringe horror! I love you, Wolfie.’

BJ Colangelo had high praise for the series, writing: ‘With The Creep Tapes, Patrick Brice and Mark Duplass have expanded their deliciously twisted wolfie baby into one of the best horror franchises of the 21st century.

‘For the love of Peachfuzz, invite your friends over when episodes hit Shudder and let this rock your worlds.’

Many praised Duplass’ performance as the mysterious serial killer at the front of the franchise, dubbing him a ‘genius’ and ‘truly terrifying.’

Speaking ahead of the show’s release, Togetherness star Duplass opened up about Creep’s return ten years after the first film was released.

‘Part of it is the process, this return to making movies and TV in a way that I used to do when I was 12 years old with my brother, and Patrick used to do when he was a little boy with his friends,’ he told Fangoria.

Duplass has shared his excitement over returning to the Creep franchise (Picture: Paul Archuleta/Getty Images)

A third film was previously confirmed to be in the works (Picture: YouTube/Shudder)

‘Just running around the woods like idiots with a camera, filming something and then huddling around a little three-inch monitor, trying to make it better. I deeply connect to that part of myself and the more I make shows like The Morning Show, which I love, but these are huge expensive shows that it’s such a contrast to do [Creep].

‘As an actor, I love playing something that is completely limitless in terms of its potential and what I can do. I never thought I’d be making stuff in the horror genre, it wasn’t on my dance card.

‘We sort of stumbled into this so in terms of growing as an artist and not repeating myself, it feels really fresh and new to me.’

The first two episodes of The Creep Tapes are available to stream now via Shudder, which is also available through Prime Video. Future episodes will air each Friday.

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