Creep (Christopher Smith, 2004)

Film synopsis:
After getting locked in Charing Cross train  station, Kate finds herself being stalked by a creature which appears to be a deformed human living in the underground. After becoming the killers prey, Kate fights for survival by trying to search for any life down there that can lead her to help or escape. Discovering the enigma of why the deformed human is after her Kate begins to find his weak spot therefore making her more inferior than the creature giving her more of a chance of surviving.


Contextualising the film:
As the film is set to the present day, this is very effective to the audience as it puts them in the perspective of people from the film and will scare them from taking the underground and visiting Charing cross and other London public transport.


Explain how 'Creep' fits into the horror genre (refer to conventions):
Kate is a typical woman which has been used in a horror film, she shows how women can be stronger than men but also have intelligence which leads them to be the final woman. A lot of screaming is used in the film to create a form of tension to the audience as they are unaware of why the person is screaming and therefore keeps them on the edge of their seat. The usual blood and low key lighting is used to create a dark and mysterious effect as the audience are unaware of what is lurking in the shadows and whether it will jump out at them. Women weapons are used within the film which create blood and gore and this is a way of symbolising a horror film. The killer is attacked but never dies and also walks whilst the victims run to show how he is more relaxed than the victim. 


How was the film received by audiences? 
'Creep' was given a rating of 75.5/10.on the IMDB website, this shows how the film was not as successful as other films and was disappointing to the audience. A review like this shows the audience was not thrilled by the horror as much as they were with other horrors so this could mean if the film was scarier it would have been more effective. 


http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0381966/


Key scenes:

• The attempt rape.
• The secutiy guard asking to see body.
• Kate giving tramp (Mandy) money for ticket.
• Kate returning to the tramps for help.
• Killers surgery room (find out why he is like it).
• Kate gets money given to her.

What makes the film distinctively British?

The tramps living in the underground makes the film British as it is very common to find homeless people around London begging for money. Also the fact the film is mostly located in Charing Cross station shows how the director has wanted to keep the location in London and to never make the audience feel Kate has changed area. Also the use of rats and mice create a London effect as London is covered by them.