Jeepers Creepers: Five reasons the original is a gory underrated gem
By Joey Click
A Little Personality With The Prowling
Jeepers Creepers — Courtesy of United Artists
One of the most enjoyable things about Jeepers Creepers is The Creeper’s personality. Something shockingly missing from the inept sequel, The Creeper is a fully developed character in the original. He’s not simply servicing the story’s need of villainy, the beast is an entity all his own.
One example comes when he eats that unfortunate cop’s taster. After cutting the head off, The Creeper whistles the “Jeepers Creepers” song on the way to get his meal. Mirroring early Freddy Krueger, The Creeper does stuff to amuse himself — in his own twisted way.
More from 1428 Elm
- Shudder Original Terrified: Poltergeist or Dimensional Beings?
- Godzilla Minus One makes the King of the Monsters terrifying again
- A Creature Was Stirring scares up yuletide frights
- Unwrapping the Unhappy Holidays collection on Shudder
- Holiday Horror viewing guide: 20+ movies to stream this Christmas
And that’s it you creeps. While these are only five things the underrated 2001 film gives us, the picture has much more on display. It’s honestly one of my all-time favorites, often giving me reason to revisit the film — which I did recently in preparation of the new film.
Today, Jeepers Creepers 3 hits cinemas for a one-day engagement. A long time in the making, the film is hopefully going to erase the crap sequel from my memory. Or at least, as I type on my knees in prayer, the film will at lease further this wonderful year of horror we’re in. Expect a review tomorrow you little creepers. See you at the cinemas.
Next: Bruce Campbell: Five steps to success
Jeepers Creepers 3 stars Meg Foster, Gina Philips and Jonathan Breck. Victor Salva directs a screenplay by Salva. American Zoetrope, Ansgar Media and Infinity Films produce, with Zoetrope distributing. The Creeper is coming back to cinemas today.