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Creep
2004 - R - 85 Mins.
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| Director: Christopher Smith | | Producer: Julie Baines, Jason Newmark | | Written By: Christopher Smith | | Starring: Franka Potente, Vas Blackwood, Paul Rattray, Kelly Scott, Sean Harris |
| Review by: Chris Beaumont |
| Official Site: www.creepthemovie.com/ |
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This doesn't last long.....
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Blindly buying a video can be a very rewarding experience, or you can end up with a viewing experience that you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy. 'Creep' turned out to be a deliciously creepy little horror film.
'Creep' opens with a couple of London sewer workers going on a tour of the pipelines. One of the guys is new, and does not seem to be terribly interested in being there. He is not shy about expressing his distaste, especially when he gets a nice splash of the raw stuff right in the mush. Anyway, during their tour, a new tunnel is discovered, hidden behind a brick wall. The older guy decides to check it out, moves on into the tunnel. Shortly after making his way into the inky darkness, screams emanate from the black, drawing our other worker to investigate. A screech rings out, a face jumps out into the light and recedes into the black. The scene then shifts to a party up above ground.
So begins our journey into the London underground. In reality, a safe haven, a place for clean transportation to points all across the city. On film, clean, brightly lit haven of transportation, connected by dark secrets in the blackness between the shiny stations. One secret, in particular, is coming out into the light. Something from the underground's past is making its presence known in a bold way. Is it evil? Or something else?
Next we are introduced to Kate, played by the lovely Franka Potente ('Run Lola Run,' 'Anatomy,' 'The Bourne Identity') bedazzled in a hideous yellow dress. She is at a party, getting ready to go try to bed George Clooney. Now, here is where her story takes a turn, she heads down to the subway platform to catch up with George (he who does not appear in this film). Before going further, heed my warning: do not fall asleep while waiting for the last train, you are sure to miss it, and bad things will happen to you.
Kate wakes up on the empty platform, locked in and unable to leave. A train shows up, out of nowhere, she gets on. Before you know it, the train stops, the lights go out. We are shown that the driver is dead, a bloody mess in the front cabin. Well, I want to go on describing what happens, but that wouldn't do the movie any justice.
The rest of the film features Kate, with some new found underground friends, fighting for her life against the Creep. The Creep is this deformed denizen of the hidden tunnels beneath the city. A forgotten remnant of a forgotten past, he makes his life hunting those who enter his tunnels. But he is much more than that.
'Creep' does not offer up a neat and tidy history for our murderous villain, and that is part of the charm. There are hints strewn throughout to tell you about him, but you must put them together. Granted, the pieces only tell you a part of his story, the rest is up for speculation, but what is there paints a picture of a more complete bad guy than we should have had any right to expect. I guarantee that by the end of the movie, you will feel empathy for this creature. You will still find him deplorable due to the violent and bloody acts he commits, but you may have a desire to extend a touch of forgiveness his way.
Kate, on the other hand, goes through a transformation of her own. Early on, you probably will not really care for her, I know I didn't. In addition to the rather tacky fashions that adorn her frame, her attitude seems to be a little high brow for my taste. However, she more than proves herself as the film moves forward. She discovers a need inside her to recognize fellow humanity. In the end, besides going through a terrible ordeal, she has unlocked something else, a theretofore unseen connection with all levels of humanity.
There are other important characters here. Two of them are played by Paul Rattray and Kelly Scott. They portray a homeless couple, a lovely pair who live in the subway system and go out of their way to try and help Kate, beyond good reason it would seem. Then there is also Vas Blackwood as George, a guy who makes a return appearance later in the film. He is a good character who may come across as not such a good guy, but I think it is just a case of someone freaking out and focusing on themselves first. Logical reaction, considering the circumstance.
The film is far from perfect. There are a few scenes where you will probably find yourself yelling at the screen things like "How could you miss?" "Don't go down that tunnel!" and "Finish him!" Of course, they never listen to you. You know, when you watch a movie and the characters make seemingly stupid choices. Remember to consider a couple of things, first, in these high stress situations there is no telling just how someone will react, logic need not apply, second, if the characters all took our advice, the movie would end way too soon.
Writer/director Christopher Smith has successfully created a creepy little thriller. It seriously gets under your skin. There are scenes where the dread grows, building up beneath your skin. He has a fine actress in Franka Potente to carry the film, and she does a fine job. Combine the acting ability with some great looking cinematography and you have a nice combination. Smith also steps away from some of the traps of the genre, including the use of the musical sting. You know the sting, where the score sets you up for the jump scare. Smith does this to nice effect.
I will admit that I wish the story got a little deeper into the 'Creep's history. The trail of bread crumbs left is good, and it is nice how open it is, allowing us to fill in the holes with speculation, but it would have been nice to have had something a bit more concrete. There is also the case of the abrupt ending. 'Creep' just sort of stops, the story has come partially to a close, but the final resolution isn't much of one. Perhaps we should apply a little more speculation here, oh well, maybe next time.
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