Few franchises have faced as much negative backlash as Jeepers Creepers and especially the third and fourth movies have been harshly criticized. Jeepers Creepers: Reborn has a worse rating on this website than infamous cinematic disasters such as Samurai Cop, The Room and New York Ninja to only name a few examples. Any reviewer who has dared giving this film a higher rating than two out of ten points has been met with massive negative feedback, no matter how well-written, meaningful and articulate some of these reviews have been. Under grislier circumstances, one might describe such instances as excessive peer pressure, relentless internet bullying and particularly radical bias. Let's not go so far in the case of an underproduced low-budget horror movie but it's already obvious for me at this point that this review is going to be sparking angry reactions. I'm however not looking to get attention, to enrage or to be passive-aggressive. I'm simply putting down my honest opinion on Jeepers Creepers: Reborn.
Ever since watching the first movie about two decades ago, I have had a soft spot for the franchise and have remained a fan for two decades and counting by now. From the start, I was hoping for Jeepers Creepers: Reborn to be atmospheric and entertaining and didn't expect anything more due to the unknown cast and limited budget. This movie has delivered in both regards and even offered some additional quality that was unexpected.
The film's story is simple but efficient. It tells how young adult Chase desires to attend a niche horror convention known as Horror Hound Festival with his skeptical but supportive girlfriend Laine. Chase nervously prepares to propose to his beloved girlfriend while she learns that she is pregnant. The couple wins a fixed competition at the convention that allows them to participate in an escape room activity connected to a mysterious urban legend. Things take a grisly turn when members of the television team that accompanies them go missing. The couple and its companions soon realize that they are trapped in a gigantic mansion and that something very dangerous is inside with them.
On the film's positive side, this movie has a creepy atmosphere from the opening scenes with the sympathetic elderly couple to the flick's final showdown involving the titular character. The film doesn't rely on predictable jump scares but instead works with gloomy lighting techniques, sinister locations and ominous soundtrack. This movie is also pleasantly entertaining in its concise length. The opening scenes go by in a heartbeat and reference the franchise's first film charmingly. The introduction to the film's main characters is just long enough to develop them properly without drifting off into boring stereotypes. The scenes at the festival are colourful, eclectic and memorable. The passages at the cemetery are without any lengths and increase the film's vibrant atmosphere a few notches. The concluding finale at the mansion is creative, detailed and intense. The film has a satisfactory conclusion and then the credits already start rolling. I wouldn't have added or cut anything to or from this film as director Timo Vuorensola deserves praise and recognition for an expert job under challenging circumstances. Other elements that deserve praise in my opinion are the two protagonists who complete each other perfectly and make for a believable, charming and sympathetic couple you want to root for. The acting performances might not earn the cast any nominations or awards at film festivals but they are doing surprisingly solid jobs for this kind of movie genre. The plot also deserves some respect as several side elements such as the references to the first entry in the franchise, the male protagonist's objective to get engaged to his girlfriend and the female protagonist's surprising discovery that she is pregnant are diversified, entertaining and sympathetic. As you can read, this movie has enough strengths to warrant a positive rating.
However, there are obviously also a few downsides. The story around the titular character is obviously quite predictable. The film itself is lacking scary or even shocking moments and could have been slightly more intense and sinister. The movie's low budget is visible in some special effects and would certainly have benefitted from a more generous production. However, all those flaws are relatively small and won't prevent franchise fans from enjoying this film to the fullest.
As you can read, Jeepers Creepers: Reborn is a very decent atmospheric horror movie that should certainly please fans of this particular franchise and independent horror cinema of the twenty-first century in general. Ignore the masses of pessimistic reviews and give this film a fair chance. A trailer might actually give you a good idea whether this film lives up to your expectations or not. In my personal case, Jeepers Creepers: Reborn is a positive surprise and while it can't compete with the first entry, it certainly equals and even outclasses parts of the second and third movie in the franchise. I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to read my review until the end and given it a rating.
Ever since watching the first movie about two decades ago, I have had a soft spot for the franchise and have remained a fan for two decades and counting by now. From the start, I was hoping for Jeepers Creepers: Reborn to be atmospheric and entertaining and didn't expect anything more due to the unknown cast and limited budget. This movie has delivered in both regards and even offered some additional quality that was unexpected.
The film's story is simple but efficient. It tells how young adult Chase desires to attend a niche horror convention known as Horror Hound Festival with his skeptical but supportive girlfriend Laine. Chase nervously prepares to propose to his beloved girlfriend while she learns that she is pregnant. The couple wins a fixed competition at the convention that allows them to participate in an escape room activity connected to a mysterious urban legend. Things take a grisly turn when members of the television team that accompanies them go missing. The couple and its companions soon realize that they are trapped in a gigantic mansion and that something very dangerous is inside with them.
On the film's positive side, this movie has a creepy atmosphere from the opening scenes with the sympathetic elderly couple to the flick's final showdown involving the titular character. The film doesn't rely on predictable jump scares but instead works with gloomy lighting techniques, sinister locations and ominous soundtrack. This movie is also pleasantly entertaining in its concise length. The opening scenes go by in a heartbeat and reference the franchise's first film charmingly. The introduction to the film's main characters is just long enough to develop them properly without drifting off into boring stereotypes. The scenes at the festival are colourful, eclectic and memorable. The passages at the cemetery are without any lengths and increase the film's vibrant atmosphere a few notches. The concluding finale at the mansion is creative, detailed and intense. The film has a satisfactory conclusion and then the credits already start rolling. I wouldn't have added or cut anything to or from this film as director Timo Vuorensola deserves praise and recognition for an expert job under challenging circumstances. Other elements that deserve praise in my opinion are the two protagonists who complete each other perfectly and make for a believable, charming and sympathetic couple you want to root for. The acting performances might not earn the cast any nominations or awards at film festivals but they are doing surprisingly solid jobs for this kind of movie genre. The plot also deserves some respect as several side elements such as the references to the first entry in the franchise, the male protagonist's objective to get engaged to his girlfriend and the female protagonist's surprising discovery that she is pregnant are diversified, entertaining and sympathetic. As you can read, this movie has enough strengths to warrant a positive rating.
However, there are obviously also a few downsides. The story around the titular character is obviously quite predictable. The film itself is lacking scary or even shocking moments and could have been slightly more intense and sinister. The movie's low budget is visible in some special effects and would certainly have benefitted from a more generous production. However, all those flaws are relatively small and won't prevent franchise fans from enjoying this film to the fullest.
As you can read, Jeepers Creepers: Reborn is a very decent atmospheric horror movie that should certainly please fans of this particular franchise and independent horror cinema of the twenty-first century in general. Ignore the masses of pessimistic reviews and give this film a fair chance. A trailer might actually give you a good idea whether this film lives up to your expectations or not. In my personal case, Jeepers Creepers: Reborn is a positive surprise and while it can't compete with the first entry, it certainly equals and even outclasses parts of the second and third movie in the franchise. I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to read my review until the end and given it a rating.