Common Sense Media Review
By Jenny Nixon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Bloody violence galore in formulaic found-footage spinoff.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Creep Tapes
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
THE CREEP TAPES is a found-footage-themed horror series spinoff based on the low-budget cult fave films Creep and Creep 2, from noted "mumblecore" filmmaker/actor Mark Duplass. The episodes follow the same basic formula as the films, showing our serial killer protagonist Josef (or "Peachfuzz" when he's wearing his alter ego's wolf mask) luring unsuspecting innocents into his world as he documents his days on camera. These soon-to-be victims endure various uncomfortable situations with the unnervingly perky and seemingly friendly Josef, realizing far too late that the man is deeply unhinged, and things ultimately end in someone's graphic and violent death.
Is It Any Good?
Episodes that are only 30 minutes long shouldn't feel like a slog, but the repetitive plots, combined with the protagonist's relentlessly grating personality, make for dull viewing. Creep was a hit because it was so unexpected: the lo-fi filming style, combined with the villain's offbeat, chipper demeanor, was unusual for its time. Re-creating the same setup (albeit with different superficial touches) over and over throughout The Creep Tapes removes the tension and suspense required for a successful horror-viewing experience. The result is a dull, empty spinoff that doesn't justify its own existence.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the found footage horror genre. Do you have any favorite films in this genre? What is it about this style of filmmaking that audiences find so intriguing?
Discuss the violence shown in The Creep Tapes. How did it make you feel? Was it exciting? Shocking? What did the series show or not show to achieve this effect?
TV Details
- Premiere date : November 15, 2024
- Cast : Mark Duplass , David Dastmalchian , Katie Aselton
- Network : AMC+
- Genre : Drama
- TV rating :
- Last updated : March 5, 2026
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