My Review Of “Creeping Crawling”

Horror anthology “Creeping Crawling” is a film that creates entomophobic inducing anxiety. The film is directed by Jon Russell Cring, and Tracy Nichole Cring. The stories are modern distortions of today’s struggle between the vapid and the devalued. The vapid being the burden and guilt put on women to live to a male standard, in return devaluing the mind, talent and whole worth of the female as a person of equal value.  Okay so maybe this anthology doesn’t get that deep-but that was just the impression left on me by every one of these short films. “Creeping Crawling” stars Raine Brown, Kevin Craig West, Anna Shields, Marie Bianchi, Mikaela Holmes, Kai Issey, Yury Tsykun and Gary Flugge.

Told more like a trilogy of terror with stories that are framed by a very odd entomologist during a student interview for a paper or something. Anyway Each of the tales invoke a blind of unease, confusion and a serious case of the creeps. The characters deal with some really serious body image issues, like body dysmorphic disorder-fetish/ fantasy delusions-highly sexualized pressure to impress in the workplace-not to mention creepy, creepy, creepy insects, of course. “Creeping Crawling” takes a facetious attitude toward addressing contemporary issues about acceptable images in society with mature, fun, surrealism.

The acting is mediocre, with some characters feeling a bit too caricature. The over-the-top performances work during most of the anthology but there are times when it feels contrived. The cast give convincing performances for the most part and really bring these twisted tales to life. When the story gets creepy, the characters get bent much the same way. Actually the mental insanity put on the lead characters is rather convincing. I didn’t really get the jest of the point of the short films completely. I think I did but they really left me with a question mark about “was what I got out of the stories what the writers was going for”. I did however enjoy the dark humor, social commentary and just completely disturbing vibe “Creeping Crawling” gives off.

The special effects and soundtrack are above the grade for these low budget, indie films. I was impressed. The bug thing is a real skin crawler and this film gives it a good shot. The horror isn’t so much horror, in the sense that I never felt suspense or chills. The nightmare comes completely from the gross out, utter fear of insects that most of us have to some degree. “Creeping Crawling” is fresh, contemporary and very now. I am not completely sure that the continuity or framing is precise, but the blended genre that brings the surreal, b-movie critter-that kept us glued to late night thrillers-and the twisted storytelling that is reminiscent of “Tales From The Darkside” work in this anthology more than I expected. “Creeping Crawling” is worth checking out, the stories may not relate to everyone, but the bugs, and overall creep factor will entertain most.