Creep (DVD)

The dark, lonely London Underground in the dead of night is a terrific setting for a horror film. Franka Potente is a terrific actress, whose work in movies like Run Lola Run and the Bourne films is splendid. The idea of a mysterious, creeping killer sends the chills revving up the back of your neck.

For all it has going for it, it’s a shame Creep isn’t a better movie. A horror house of cards precariously perched on the tenuous foundation of a clichéd screenplay, the movie starts off promisingly enough. We first meet our requisite damsel in distress, Kate (Potenta), on her way home from a party. She takes the Tube, and then things, well… go down the tubes. She falls asleep and awakens to find herself locked in the subways with only rats, homeless folks, and a certain somebody, as company.

Considering the pickings, the body count is impressive — every few minutes some handy schmuck gets killed. But do we care? Not really. The main problem is the lack of character development, and lack of villain mythology. Kate seems to be snobby and rich, but we really don’t know how she got that way. The deformed, seriously pissed off Creep (Sean Harris) is certainly deadly, but his hastily sketched back story isn’t terribly compelling.

While there is no emotional resonance whatsoever, some might find the stylish prettiness of Creep compelling enough. It’s not a bad movie, or even a boring one — it’s just not that good.

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Reviewed by Staci Layne Wilson