‘The Creep Tapes’ Recap: ‘Mom (and Albert)’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Mark Duplass and Krisha Fairchild as Josef and Joesef’s Mom in Episode 106 of ‘The Creep Tapes’ – ‘Mom (and Albert). (Photo Courtesy of Shudder/Duplass Brothers Productions.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season One Finale of ‘The Creep Tapes’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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It is definitely safe to say, that the new Shudder series, The Creep Tapes, has been one of the most refreshing horror shows to hit the airwaves in 2024. Simply because, it has revitalized the found footage subgenre once again by giving us a more terrifying iteration of Josef. Since he is at his most primal here and he’s never been scarier. Not to mention, the entire season of storytelling has been mired in surprises. For not only have we been treated to good scares and dark moments that make us audibly gasp, but this has also turned out to be something of a character study of Josef. Since we’ve come to see how insane he truly is and understand that his mind has been badly damaged by trauma.

All of which has given rise to a story that in essence, has served as a chance to explore what made Josef a serial killer. One complete with all the hallmarks of how these monsters are born. Well, minus the most important one of all. Specifically, an understanding of how he grew up. Since that tends to also solidify how these monsters come to life. But since Mark Duplass and Patrick Brice are great writers that are eager to truly explore every aspect of Josef in this season of storytelling, the season one finale of this show was the perfect time to ponder upon Josef’s past and what helped shape his madness early on in life, and that made ‘Mom (and Albert)’ the most impressive story to date in this saga.

Simply because, it did indeed feature a homecoming for Josef. For fresh off of another kill, he felt the need to ground himself by visiting his mother. Who had a new place out in the woods and well, it was clear early on in this reunion that her mental state is no better than her son’s. Since she used fear and deception to greet him and of course, babied him when he is clearly a grown-ass man. But that was what Josef wanted and craved and that was why we all felt nervous when Albert, mom’s new lover, dropped by as well. Because a pseudo-alpha male like Josef would not be able to handle another rooster about the hen house and well… once Albert discovered the truth about Josef… our worst fears were realized yet again, with a cameo from Peachfuzz no less.

But what mattered more here, was what happened after Albert died. Because that helped us to understand what kind of upbringing Josef had, and that impacted his present mental state. For Mommy Dearest helped her son bury the body, and she encouraged his murderous ways and even let her 480-month-old baby nurse from her bosom once again, in a chilling and unsettling sequence for certain. One that let us know that Josef grew up in a busted home, one where he faced no accountability for his troubling behavioral issues and where his worst instincts were nurtured in the most unwholesome ways imaginable. Which does inform us that he went through forms of abuse that absolutely sent him down a dark path that created a monster.

Which made, for one brilliant season finale. Because this… this completed our journey and gave us enough to really understand what created Josef and why he has such a bloodlust. Because truly, he’s a man without wholesome connection and has never had to suffer accountability for anything he’s done, and that… combined with severe imbalances in his mind, has given rise to this. Which does not engender pity. No instead, it makes us fear him more. Because that kind of unfettered freedom knows no bounds, and who knows how far he will push his boundaries, and hopefully we get more seasons of this show. To see how far Josef will go and to be chilled even further by a story that sometimes… feels too real. Courtesy of one incredible character and a no holds barred approach to exploring his depravity.

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