
Peachfuzz has terrorized our hearts and minds since the release of Patrick Brice and Mark Duplass’ Creep in 2013. Now, over a decade later, the first three episodes of season two of The Creep Tapes have had their world premiere at Fantastic Fest 2025. And somehow, even across two movies and two seasons of a TV show, Brice and Duplass find impressively creative ways to build out the lore and love for cinema’s most endearing serial killer.
The season opens with “Joseph,” a meta-approach, as Joseph (Duplass) discovers a video of a copycat serial killer (David Dastmalchian). This killer, also coincidentally named Joseph, committed a murder following in Joseph’s exact footsteps from the original Creep film. But our original Peachfuzz doesn’t take well to copycats and decides to respond to the killer’s Craigslist ad to teach him a rather violent lesson. Duplass really lets his freak flag fly here as he taunts Dastmalchian while a demented, shit-eating grin dances across his lips. It’s our killer at his most impish as he taunts his prey, punishing Joseph for his transgressions.
Also Read: ‘V/H/S/Halloween’ Review: Wicked, Demented, And So Much Fun [Fantastic Fest 2025 Review]
Episode two, “Wes”, seems more traditional in its approach at first, as a recent film grad responds to an ad about filming a new house flipping show for realtor Trip Engold. But, of course, Trip Engold is actually our dear murderer, luring in prey like a hungry anglerfish. Then, as Brice and Duplass lure us into a false sense of security, the perspective shifts once police arrive on the scene. We go from one camera to four as the duo uses bodycam footage to expand the perspective on our killer’s twisted games.
Then, the pièce de résistance (at least so far in the season) is “Mark”, an incredible found footage homage to Saw featuring Robert Longstreet. Mark wakes up in a gnarly, concrete room, chained to the floor next to our killer and a presumed corpse under a tarp. With cameras strapped to their heads, they tackle (or at least try to) a series of puzzles to escape. Unfortunately, Mark isn’t the sharpest knife in the drawer…
It’s incredible to see how Duplass and Brice continue to innovate on such a simple idea. And it really feels like they’re just getting started. Even in just these three episodes, they quickly prove they aren’t one-trick ponies and know how to creatively play with found footage techniques to further build the story behind their enigmatic serial killer. They embrace the limitations and lean into them, which only works to their advantage as it proves their love of this narrative and their work. This series is a labor of love, and Season 2 of The Creep Tapes further exemplifies that fact.
Also Read: ‘Silent Night, Deadly Night’ Review: Gonzo Holiday Horror Fun [Fantastic Fest 2025]
The guest stars in these first three episodes are pitch-perfect casting. Dastmalchian is an especially inspired choice for a guest star. The actor has proven time and time again that he’s an incredible performer, and in The Creep Tapes, he’s able to show both a terrifying and tender side of himself as he melds Joseph into a fascinating character in just a few minutes.
While there are still three episodes left (and more lore to be revealed), what was shown at Fantastic Fest indicates another strong season from Brice and Duplass. Their creativity ensures the episodes never feel repetitive or boring, and they’re always willing to laugh at themselves to craft meta-narratives that are both fun and creepy. Plus, Duplass wears Peachfuzz like a second skin, continuing to charm the audience despite his homicidal intent. I can’t wait to see what hells this duo has in store for us both this season and beyond.
All six episodes of The Creep Tapes Season Two come to Shudder on November 14, 2025.
https://ift.tt/DeKf206 https://ift.tt/OxHDsU3
No comments:
Post a Comment