Jeepers Creepers: Reborn (2022) – A Reboot That Fails to Revive the Creeper
Jeepers Creepers: Reborn, directed by Timo Vuorensola, attempts to reboot the once-popular horror franchise with a new storyline set during a horror-themed festival in Louisiana. The plot centers on a young couple, Laine and Chase, who attend the Horror Hound Festival, only to find themselves hunted by the infamous Creeper, a demonic creature that reawakens after 23 years.
Despite its promising premise and the potential to breathe new life into the franchise, the film was met with overwhelmingly negative reception from critics and audiences alike. Many viewers criticized its cheap production values, underwhelming performances, and heavy reliance on green-screen effects. The film quickly gained a reputation for being a lackluster entry in the series, with some fans going so far as to call it the worst installment to date.
The biggest complaints revolve around the film’s visuals. A significant portion of the movie appears to have been shot with digital backdrops and obvious green-screen environments, stripping scenes of authenticity and immersion. The Creeper, once a terrifying presence, now looks cartoonish and unconvincing due to poor makeup, creature design, and lighting.
The storyline, meanwhile, does little to expand the lore or deepen the mythology behind the Creeper. Instead, it follows a predictable structure, recycling genre tropes without offering meaningful scares or suspense. Character development is minimal, and the dialogue often feels flat or forced.
Critics were equally unimpressed. Many noted that the film lacked the atmospheric dread and practical effects that made the original Jeepers Creepers (2001) and its sequel memorable. Where the earlier films relied on tension and build-up, this reboot resorts to jump scares and disjointed editing.
While a few viewers found the film mildly entertaining for its campiness or as a curiosity piece, the overall consensus is that Jeepers Creepers: Reborn failed to justify its existence as a reboot. The film’s short runtime of 88 minutes might be seen as a mercy by some, as it drags despite its brevity.
Commercially, the film had a limited theatrical release and modest box office performance, grossing around $6 million. However, this financial return did little to offset the damage done to the franchise’s reputation.
