Creep and Creep 2 are beloved found footage films in the horror community, with Patrick Brice and Mark Duplass somehow endearing the masses with the latter’s charismatic yet deranged serial killer. So when a TV adaptation was announced, The Creep Tapes, naturally, the fandom went into a frenzy.
Seasons one and two went down a storm, taking viewers on a trip down memory lane via Josef’s – or whatever name he is going by at present – videotape cabinet, showing how he has racked up an impressive body count via a series of elaborate ruses all centred around filming the troubled murderer. Now, following the success of the first 12 episodes, The Creep Tapes is back for season three with six new instalments deepening the Peachfuzz lore and continuing the darkly funny franchise in expert form.
Episode one wastes no time throwing fans right back into the wild world of The Creep Tapes in a surprisingly sizzling episode with Duplass’ character and Crystal (expertly portrayed by Kate Siegel) as they replicate the Pam and Tommy sex tape. Duplass and Brice never shy away with experimenting with both genre and the show’s lore, mixing and matching facts with fiction as well as blending themes in a way that keeps The Creep Tapes fresh and exciting, while always keeping the audience on their toes. Season three also messes with the timeline, blending a new tape with one fans will be familiar with from season one, showing just how much of a busy boy our titular creep has been over the years.
The latest episodes give fans something they have been asking for since the film series began – information about the killer’s originals, and we get just that with a flashback episode in which we finally see the origins of the famous Peachfuzz mask and, maybe, how the killer’s spree began. We also get an intense one-on-one episode with Duplass’ character confronting his demons, seemingly, and battling with accepting or rejecting Peachfuzz and what it seemingly represents. The episode is a particular highlight in the six-episode run, allowing Duplass to showcase his full, impressive range through the complex character that becomes more and more layered as the seasons go on.
It would be easy for the killer to simply remain the friendly, almost clown-ish, yet vicious stereotypical horror killer that we have seen several times over, yet the writing team and Duplass have developed the man into so much more, exploring his sexuality, family life, traumas, and passions, leaving so much more room for investigation in future seasons. The impressive array of guest stars bounce off Duplass effortlessly, with their love for the season oozing into their varied performances that, though they all end in death, keep viewers hooked from start to finish. It’s not about the destination, after all, but the journey.
The Creep Tapes continues to be a welcome addition to our TV screens every Halloween season, giving horror fans a welcome dose of comedy and terror in equal measure. Duplass’ killer is as deranged and captivating as ever, revealing more of his life and inner workings while raising more questions than ever. While the formula could be at risk of becoming boring, its simplicity allows for plenty of experimentation, and its a freedom Duplass and Brice clearly relish in bringing new themes, subgenres, and lore to play with. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, and The Creep Tapes is still a fully working machine delivering laughing and frights in droves.
Six episodes were available to view.
The Creep Tapes season three is currently airing weekly on Shudder and AMC+. Seasons one and two are available to stream now
