Creep 2 – Netflix Review (4/5)

Finally, Creep 2 is out on Netflix. And it definitely isn’t any less creepy the second time around!

He’s still a master at attracting and engaging with people through his friendly, charming and welcoming behavior. But, unfortunately for them, he is also still a serial killer. However, somehow it’s turned inside out in Creep 2, where he actively seeks out someone who can hear and record his confession.

And yes, it’s still absolutely fascinating to witness Mark Duplass constantly shift between kind soul and all-out psychopath. It’s like watching an accident; You know it will end badly, but you can’t bring yourself to look away!

Also, the rules of the game are so much fairer this time around. He actually tells the film photographer that he is a serial killer. Right from the start. And once he tells her this, she is free to walk away or stay for the full confession. It’s no spoiler to tell you that obviously, she stays.

Otherwise, the movie would’ve been very short!

A woman with nerves of steel

Although Mark Duplass is the star of Creep 2, he gets a solid performance to work with from Karan Soni. She plays the film photographer, Sara, hired to record his confession. Whether she actually believes that he is the serial killer he claims to be, is another matter.

However, she is absolutely sure that he’s not exactly sane by any conventional standards.

One of the best things in Creep 2 is to witness his frustration when Sara does not feel intimidated by him. First, he tries to rattle her with her insane statements and comments. Later it’s with jump scares that may work on the audience (definitely worked on me!), but not on Sara.

She is cold as ice and has nerves of steel. Also, she is in no way afraid of challenging – or even insulting – him. Something that obviously both fascinates and frustrates the serial killer.

Basically, she treats him like a child. A tactic that often results in him acting even more childish. Or, you know, like a deeply psychotic and dangerous child!

Creep 2 is a solid sequel

Although Creep 2 does not manage to hit me as fiercely as the first movie, it’s definitely a worthy follow-up. The challenge for a sequel is always the audience knows the main character’s little tricks.

Also, while Mark Duplass’ character was named Joseph in the first Creep movie, he is now called Aaron in Creep 2. Aaron could be his real name, but the film photographer (and victim) from the first movie was also called Aaron. So he probably took on the name of a victim.

And just like in the first movie, it’s primarily Mark Duplass and his opponent who are the only people in the movie. In the first film, it was the film’s director and co-author, Patrick Brice, who played opposite Duplass.

The first time around, they were the only two people in the film.

Ready for Creep 3?

In Creep 2, we initially see a few more characters. First we have to reunite with Josef / Aaron (Mark Duplass) and his madness. Then we get to know Sara (Karan Soni) through her work as a documentary filmmaker with a failing YouTube channel. Her previous work also serves to explain the audience why Aaron’s antics can’t shock her that easily.

Once again, Patrick Brice directed while also writing the script in collaboration with Mark Duplass. It’s a fantastic partnership that gives us some crazy movies.

Now we just have to wait for Creep 3, since a trilogy has been in the works from the very beginning.

The question is; What will Mark Duplass’s character be called next time around?

Creep 2 is available on Netflix in the US (and 37 other countries) now!