The Poughkeepsie Tapes (2007)
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A chilling mockumentary follows the investigation into a serial killer's cache of snuff films in New York.
The story
Presented as a documentary, the film follows the investigation into a serial killer named Edward Carver in Poughkeepsie, New York. After police raid a house and discover over 800 videotapes, they begin to piece together a horrifying visual record of his crimes. The footage documents his actions from the initial abductions to the post-mortem mutilation of his victims. As law enforcement attempts to track down the elusive killer and his victims, they are forced to confront the disturbing reality of the evidence found on the tapes.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
The film is presented as a documentary featuring interviews with officials. Police discover 800 tapes by serial killer Edward Carver, who is never shown on film unless disguised. The tapes reveal a progression of crimes: the murder of an eight-year-old girl, the abduction of a couple (the Andersons) where the man's head was placed inside the woman's womb, and the kidnapping of a teenager, Cheryl Dempsey. Cheryl is held as a 'slave' and eventually rescued but remains traumatized before committing suicide. The investigation leads to the wrongful conviction and execution of a man named Foley, who was framed by Carver using stolen sperm. After a final murder, Cheryl is found in an empty house and later dies. The film ends with a post-credits scene showing a brutalized woman being filmed by Carver.
- First release year
- 2007
- Runtime (minutes)
- 80
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- John Erick Dowdle
- Writers
- John Erick Dowdle · written; John Erick Dowdle · story; Drew Dowdle · story
- Cast and characters
- Stacy Chbosky · Cheryl Dempsey
- Genres
- pseudo-documentary; horror
- Themes
- serial killers; true crime; found footage
- Tone and mood
- scary; creepy; unnerving; bizarre; uncomfortable
- Premise and plot tags
- mockumentary; serial killer; snuff films
- Content notes
- violence; torture
- Reception
- The film received mixed but notable reviews, with critics praising its realism and unsettling atmosphere while some criticized its lack of depth. It was called 'one of the best indie films' of 2007 by Bloody Disgusting.
- Reported review scores
- Bloody Disgusting · score: 4 · scale: 5; Blu-ray.com · score: 4 · scale: 10
- Production trivia
- The film's setting was chosen for its 'distinct dichotomy of seedy elements' and 'stately homes'.; The film was released on DVD and Blu-ray in 2017 and grossed $174,304 in sales.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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