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SYNOPSIS:  Four college students shooting a project about serial killers learn from one of the team the story of a lost television broadcast of a deceased serial killer. Setting up an old tv and antenna they find the signal and go in search of its location. From an abandoned police station, to the author of a book who interviewed the killer before he was executed, to an deserted farm where the signal seems to be coming from, they begin to piece together the mystery of a cover-up of a clown-faced man who killed hundreds and the nightmare that he may still be around long after his death.

REVIEW: MISTER CREEP is a mixed bag of elements, from the talent, the narrative, and the production values. It’s an unsteady production that often comes together to reignite the viewer's interest but in the end falls flat.

The story is a collage of elements and themes from recent and classic genre films. It’s a distraction when you watch a film and can tell all the films the writer is sourcing to spin this yarn. There’s nothing fresh here. It feels like a homegrown/independent genre story by a hardcore film fan. It just so happens that these are older film students. It just so happens that one of the team is a serial killer fan. It just so happens… The background story of the killer just felt basic, a matter of fact, poached from any number of genre films. There is a point in the story where they are packing backpacks with stuff as they head off in search of a missing colleague. I was dumbfounded by what they did and didn't bring. It just made no sense and some of the dialogue needed a polish. Some of it sounds unrealistic and out of character.

I liked some of the production values, but much of it cribs setups from the original “Blair Witch Project.” I liked the look of the mask of the serial killer, Joe, but had no articulation. The straightjacket lacked any sincerity and looked like he would escape from it any second. The doll was not creepy. It just felt too much like a homage to the “Saw” franchise then having any relevance to the story. I get it is like a found footage movie, but too much shaky camera. I liked most of the cinematography, but thought the red lighting in Val’s apartment was a bit much. The editing was inconsistent and didn’t add the needed effect for many of the jump scares.

This is a disjointed cast. They’re supposed to be a team but never felt any cohesiveness or any sense of them being a team or even friends. The performances feel like they are paying a type and lack any depth. Actress Shaela Payne plays Val and she creates the most interesting performance in the film. She has fun with it, but there are moments when it feels like she is winking at the camera. Towards the end she is reduced to just another streaming voice running around with any real sense of purpose, and her character seemed to be the smartest one in the group. The fourth character is Dave, played by Thomas Burke. He is the cameraman so we don’t see him for around 90% of the film but he does get to contribute off camera.

They say that everything old is new again, but many of the elements in MISTER CREEP have not been given the opportunity to age. Filmmaker Isaac Rodriguez is just wearing too many hats to deliver the best possible film. There are okay elements about the film, and it has a quality where I might consider programming the film for one of the independent genre film festivals I worked with back in the day. However, I’m sure there are those who might feel cheated if they purchased this to view on a digital platform. I found the viewing experience similar to purchasing one of those “as seen on tv” products. The commercial makes all these promises that the product just never fully delivers on.

CAST: Thomas Burke, Ali Alkhafaji, Amber Lee Solis, Judy McMillan, and Brian D. Anderson CREW: Director/Screenplay/Producer/Cinematographer/Special Effects - Isaac Rodriguez; Producer/Production Designer - Cynthia Bergen; FX Makeup - Shanae Coffman; Doll Created by - Twila Cheeseborough. OFFICIAL: n.a. FACEBOOK: n.a. TWITTER: n.a. TRAILER: https://youtu.be/q3YQsdYkGqo RELEASE DATE: On digital December 5th, 2022.

**Until we can all head back into the theaters our “COVID Reel Value” will be similar to how you rate a film on digital platforms - 👍 (Like), 👌 (It’s just okay),  or 👎 (Dislike)