Brad Branson (portrayed by Josh Ruben) crafted a cinematic gem titled "The Man, the Boy, and the Gun" roughly two decades prior. This is a fictional film, merely glimpsed within the fourth episode of Season 1 of "The Creep Tapes," on a DVD described as utterly unofficial, leading one to ponder whether the commas in its title are merely a figment of the narrative. Occasionally, film titles bend grammar rules to their whims in startling fashion.
You're probably thinking: Such nuances don't matter. And, indeed, you'd be correct. However, one aspect I've always cherished about the "Creep" series is how our enigmatic serial killer subtly alludes to the rich tapestry of cinematic history. We remain largely in the dark about his true identity, but we know he's a connoisseur of the silver screen. In this installment, he recounts how, two decades ago, he was poised to watch an indie comedy featuring Parker Posey until he serendipitously stumbled upon Brad's masterpiece.
Mark Duplass's character remains unnamed in this episode, so I'll arbitrarily dub him Peachfuzz. Brad encounters him playing the piano, but Peachfuzz instantly transforms into a rabid Brad Branson fangirl upon seeing the filmmaker's arrival. He lavishly praises the music in Brad's film, which he knows Brad composed. This mention of an uncle is a red herring; it's merely an anagram. It seems Peachfuzz is on the mark here, as Brad doesn't contradict him.
So, is Peachfuzz merely posing as a fan of Brad's work, or does he genuinely admire it? I lean towards the latter. I envision him thrilled to have ensnared this filmmaker whose craft he holds in high esteem, seeing himself as a kindred spirit. Conversely, Peachfuzz's assessment of Brad's work could be the opposite. Sticking to the narrative of "The Creep Tapes," it appears he held some genuine admiration for Elliot's (played by David Nordstrom) birdwatching escapades but likely thought Jeremy (Josh Fadem) was a talentless sellout.
Regardless, the premise of "Brad" tickles my fancy. Peachfuzz yearns for Brad to collaborate on a new true-crime documentary, sans deck or keynote presentation. Instead, he boasts a lifeless body lying on the bedroom floor. Brad retches upon witnessing it , and we can only speculate on his thoughts as Peachfuzz informs him he's free to summon the authorities if he wishes to opt out of making the film. Perhaps Brad is fearful—a plausible reaction—or perhaps he's exhilarated by this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, knowing he can always invoke fear later. It could be a blend of both.
When Brad informs Peachfuzz of his decision to join the project, Peachfuzz is already engaged in digging a grave. Realizing this would have been compelling footage, he begins to refill the hole, but Brad insists on authenticity, dismissing any notion of staging. Peachfuzz and I alike respect that commitment to veracity.
Now, the challenge arises: transporting the lifeless form to its intended shallow grave. Peachfuzz, using a sheet as a makeshift sled, offers Brad a fleeting chance to pose any yes-or-no inquiry he desires, barring the identity of the murderer—a question Brad asks almost impulsively, but Peachfuzz dismisses it as a mere attempt to decipher his physical cues. I confess, I wish Brad had exploited this moment to delve deeper with his queries, but such is life's fleeting nature.
Pretending to suffer a back injury during the arduous task of dragging, Peachfuzz persuades Brad to lend a hand. Together, they manage to convey the body to the grave's edge. At this juncture, Peachfuzz invents another excuse, claiming he must attend to some matters indoors, thus presenting Brad with a chance to scrutinize the deceased. Among the personal effects, Brad discovers a heart-shaped locket containing a tiny portrait of a wolf mask. His inspection is abruptly interrupted by Peachfuzz's unexpected offer of assistance.
Following another feigned bout of back trouble, which results in Brad inadvertently walking on Peachfuzz's back, Brad becomes convinced that Peachfuzz is the killer. Despite being reminded that he only gets one guess, Brad insists that Peachfuzz is the culprit. With that, Peachfuzz abruptly dashes back into the house.
Realizing the urgency, Brad decides to flee. Reaching his car, he begins to reverse, but a loud thud halts his escape. Another body lies there, yet it's worth noting—as Peachfuzz later points out—that Brad had the chance to drive off regardless.
But he doesn't. Instead, he decides to assist in dragging the second body to the grave. Once there, he's once again prompted to hazard a guess about the sequence of events. Noticing the wolf mask adorning the second corpse, Brad guessed that the smaller individual had dispatched the larger one. However, he hesitates to finalize his answer, a prudent hesitation since he was incorrect.
Next, whether in an attempt to attack or bypass Peachfuzz, Brad's actions provoke Peachfuzz to strike him with a shovel, abruptly ending the tense standoff.
Brad jolts awake in a chair, his senses abruptly assaulted by Peachfuzz, who proceeds to play a harrowing montage of the day's events, meticulously crafted to frame Brad as the murderer. Peachfuzz's unwavering conviction, bordering on obsession, that Brad indeed pulls the trigger leaves a perplexing ripple in the wake of two lifeless bodies. The simplest solution, perhaps too pat, suggests Peachfuzz as the culprit behind the gruesome deeds. Yet, entertaining other hypotheses adds an intriguing twist, especially considering Peachfuzz's steadfast denial of slaying the first victim.
Despite the overwhelming circumstantial evidence, Brad, fueled by desperation, launches his chair at Peachfuzz like a juggernaut, aiming for an escape that feels more like a desperate leap into the unknown. But fate, or perhaps Peachfuzz's cold resolve, intercepts his bid for freedom. Within the blink of an eye, Brad is wrestled to the ground and his life extinguished by the blunt force of a shovel, the grim act happening just beyond the reach of the camera's lens. This macabre scenario, while reminiscent of docudrama suspense, falls short of the infamous cursed documentary known as 'The Jinx.' Instead, Peachfuzz brings an unsettling conclusion to the saga, punctuating it with an eerie, satisfied burp.
