One of the things that really works in regards to the found footage format is the naturally built in sense of uneasiness it builds. Suspension of disbelief is blurred because the format mirrors something closer to real life than it does cinematic presentation. When used effectively, good acting and a believable scenario can circumvent the need for monster make-up or special effects in the found footage horror realm. A recent example of all of these aspects being in tune to a wonderful degree is Creep.
Aaron (Patrick Brice) is a videographer going through a financial rough patch. Josef (Mark Duplass) has been diagnosed with cancer, and in hopes of documenting his last days for Buddy (his soon to be newborn son), he has put out a want-ad for a filmmaker. Aaron answers the call and meets up with Josef in a remote location surrounded by a forest, which immediately puts up red flags for Aaron. Over the course of a few days, Josef’s increasingly odd behavior only adds to Aaron’s unease, eventually leading to him taking desperate measures to cut ties after learning some disturbing information about Josef. He hopes that escaping will put him in the clear, but little does he know that Josef has much more in store for him than expected...
This film manages to take the best parts of The Blair Witch Project and Henry : Portrait of a Serial Killer, douse it all in the extremely dark, tongue in cheek humor of American Psycho, and present something that feels unique and fresh. Duplass has such a nice guy nature that even things that should be alarming, like his Peachfuzz character, are palatable via his easy going persona. A particular passage of the film considerably hits the bullseye in terms of the ‘creep’ factor found in the title, only to be multiplied in an offhand matter moments later. The entire pacing and presentation of the film continually keep you second-guessing yourself right up until the brilliant payoff at the conclusion.
On a side note, this film is also a great example of how something with a low budget can still be executed at a high level. The acting chops shown by co-writer/director Patrick Brice helped streamline the production, I imagine, and having collaborator Mark Duplass to play off of more than likely fostered a sense of reality and creativity on camera that could make up for any lack of flare or special effects. What you are left with, however, is a compelling tug-of-war between strongly developed characters with little to nothing in common, where one character clearly has the upper-hand over the other but doesn’t outright let on how great that advantage is, causing the viewer to constantly worry throughout the run time of the film.
Mark Duplass continues to impress me with his acting prowess... not many actors are more convincingly natural despite whatever role they play than Duplass. Patrick Brice, by comparison, brings in a solid amount of nervous energy that is constantly shifting focus, like an animal knowing that danger is around but unsure of where it will come from. Katie Aselton plays her voice-only role just flat enough to make one wonder if she will come into play once again in Creep 2.
I don’t always trust those YouTube ‘You Have To Watch This” lists that channels put up, but I know what I’m getting with Mark Duplass. I’ve also never been one to shy away from my found footage infatuation, making this one an easy choice that paid off wonderfully.
