Creep (I) (2004)

Trapped in a London subway station, a woman who's being pursued by a potential attacker heads into the unknown labyrinth of tunnels beneath the city's streets.

Director:

Christopher Smith

Writer:

Christopher Smith

Stars:

Vas Blackwood, Ken Campbell, Franka Potente

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Vas Blackwood	...	George
Ken Campbell	...	Arthur
Kathryn Gilfeather	...	Girl
Franka Potente	...	Kate
Grant Ibbs	...	Man
Joe Anderson	...	Male Model
Jeremy Sheffield	...	Guy
Sean De Vrind	...	Friend
Ian Duncan	...	Friend
Debora Weston	...	Mya
Emily Gilchrist	...	Karen
Craig Fackrell	...	Homeless Guy
Elizabeth McKechnie	...	Woman
Kelly Scott	...	Mandy
Strapper	...	'Ray' The Dog

Storyline

Heading home late one night after a party, Kate falls asleep while waiting for her train. She awakens to find herself trapped in the London underground, with all the doors locked for the evening. While being attacked by a co-worker who has followed her, a mysterious unseen creature drags him away and kills him. This begins a terrifying ordeal, as Kate and a young homeless couple are stalked through the dark tunnels by something dangerous with payback on its mind.

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Plot Keywords:

underground | tunnel | london underground | gore | subway | 

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Taglines:

Evil Dwells Underground.

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Genres:

Horror | Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong bloody horror violence, language, some drug use and sexual content

Details

Country:

UK Germany

Language:

German English

Release Date:

28 January 2005 (UK)

Also Known As:

0:34

Filming Locations:

Aldwych Underground Station, Aldwych, Holborn, London, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

£477,687 (UK) (28 January 2005)

Gross:

£1,728,375 (UK) (18 February 2005)

Company Credits

Production Co:

UK Film Council, Filmstiftung Nordrhein-Westfalen, Dan Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Titles that didn't make it: "Runt", "Cellar Dweller", "Horunder", "Here Kitty Kitty", "One Track Mind" and "Piccadilly Nightmare".

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Goofs

Kate runs to the rear cab of the train and passes through the cab door (car number 96115 displayed above it) however the cab interior and exterior is of a car of long since withdrawn 1967 type stock (car number 3329 can be seen on the outer door behind her) whilst the train she was actually on (car 96115) is modern 1996 Jubilee Line stock.

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Quotes

Kate: [to a silent figure in the train] Excuse me, I fell asleep on the platform
Kate: [after silence] Don't you check them before you lock up?
[silence]
Kate: I mean, it sounds a little weird nobody's in charge here
Kate: [after no answer] Excuse me? Would you mind answering me? You're starting to freak me out!

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Connections

Referenced in The Making of 'Severance' (2007)

User Reviews

What a sickly, demented creep!

After leaving a party one night, Kate heads to a London subway. But being a bit drunk, she nods off and when she finally awakes, she realises she's alone and has been locked in. Now she's panicking, but a train pulls up and to her surprise no one else is on board. After a few seconds the train comes to sudden halt and Kate comes to the realisation that someone or something is lurking down there, which has some nasty surprises waiting for Kate.

When watching "Creep", what entered my mind was that I was seeing the backwoods horror slasher "Wrong Turn (2003)" basically set in a subway, but only more bloodier and incredibly cruel. I get the train to work and back, but I'm just glad that there are no subway systems on my journeys. But there's no doubting public transport can be the pits.

Christopher Smith the writer and director of this slick British Indie subterranean horror flick presents one very tight and atmospherically Gothic feature that benefits highly from its relentless surge of twisted and ragged jolts. It's gruesome, mean-spirited and unflinching terror is mostly delivered in a serious manner, despite the script being sprinkled with quick-witted remarks. The damp, isolated and claustrophobic setting of the poorly lit tunnels makes a huge imprint on the disorientating cloud the audience and main protagonist face. Smith integrates some flashy and rapid techniques. The versatile hand held photography adds a real moody and intimate vibe amongst the very effective sound effects and creaky understated music score. Hitting the mark was the graphic and always on the ball makeup effects. The appearance of the hideously unusual subway dweller just lingers in your mind and when it came to the kills it didn't disappoint.

However, there are things that really do bring the film down. By the third act it starts to wear a bit thin with predictable jumps and wearisome clichés. The story is terribly vague from the get-go. Illogical patterns and stupid circumstances unravel throughout the string-like plot. Originality comes in minor doses, but in all, there's a nice sense of realism and a speeding train-like pace created to keep you mostly involved. Franka Potente gives a strong, flexible and quite capable performance as Kate and the amusing Vas Blackwood gets caught up in the gruel too.

A very nasty and dour slasher that won't blow you away, but it provides the nightmarish thrills and intensity one would hope for.