Creeping Death – Movie Review | Screambox (1/5)

CREEPING DEATH on Screambox is a Halloween slasher based on a short film by the same filmmaker. Unfortunately, I did not feel this one. At all. Read our full Creeping Death movie review here!

CREEPING DEATH is a new Screambox movie. It’s a Halloween slasher and I am definitely ready for new Halloween movies. I mean, sure, I have quite a few I love watching, but there’s always room for more great Halloween movies.

This one just isn’t it. Not for me, anyway.

This is based on a 2021 short film from the same writer-director. We’ve included the short film at the end of this review, so you can check it out to get a feel for this movie. Personally, I found the short film to be stronger.

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Be sure to check out our list of the best horror short films >

Continue reading our Creeping Death movie review below. Find it on Screambox from September 10, 2024.

A different kind of Halloween

In Creeping Death, we meet Tim on Halloween. This has always been Tim’s favorite holiday, but so much has changed after his mom was diagnosed with cancer.

Instead of going out with his friends – as their designated driver, but still – he’s staying at home to look after his mom, who really isn’t doing very well.

Of course, his friends (bad friends) aren’t too preoccupied with Tim’s personal struggle, so they show up at his house. They’re carrying a mysterious sack they stole from the doorstep of a local crazy man.

When the movie opens, Tim actually meets this man and sees his mysterious sack, so these key elements are introduced in the opening scene.

A Celtic spirit

Unfortunately, for everyone involved, stealing the sack is a sacrilegious act that results in the unleashing of the Aos Si. This is a Celtic spirit that walks the earth on Halloween.

Now, in order to survive the night, they need to make the ultimate suffering. Tim’s friends – being the way they are – quickly have a “good idea” of who can be sacrificed.

I can imagine you might be able to guess where this is heading. If not, it may come as a brutal shock when you watch Creeping Death.

Watch Creeping Death on Screambox

Creeping Death comes from writer-director Matt Sampere who makes his feature debut with this Halloween horror movie. As mentioned earlier, it’s based on his short film of the same name.

The cast works well overall and the design and practical effects for the Celtic spirit Aos Si are all impressive. With the one big and unfortunate exception of the writer-director himself who plays Tim.

As good as he is at directing the rest of the cast, he does not work in front of the camera for me. Not at all. In fact, the movie only works briefly for me, when he isn’t on screen.

I love when a movie is made with passion, but it must be accompanied by talent. For this movie, there is passion and also talent, but someone needs to come in and “kill the darlings” because Matt Sampere isn’t quite able to do this himself.

This may sound harsh, but my intention is an honest and heartfelt recommendation. I think he could make solid horror movies as a writer and director, but not with himself in front of the camera.

Creeping Death is out on SCREAMBOX on September 10, 2024.

Details

Director: Matt Sampere
Writer: Matt Sampere
Cast: Matt Sampere, Monique Parent, Alan Maxson, Delian Lincourt, Hunter Kohl, Ian Brown, Elise Rackemann, K Cody Hunt, Andy Horowitz, Jody Pucello, Scott Lea

Watch the Creeping Death short film from 2021 below