Is Jeepers Creepers based on a true story?
Jeepers Creepers is not based on a single true story, but is inspired by a series of real life events. The film’s director, Victor Salva, has said that he was inspired by the story of Dennis DePue, a real-life murderer who was on the run in 1990.
DePue was eventually caught and convicted of murdering his wife. Released in 2001, “Jeepers Creepers” is a horror film that bears the creative signature of Víctor Salva, who wrote and directed the film.
The film’s central roles are played by Gina Philips and Justin Long, who deftly bring to life the characters of Trish and Darry Jenner, brothers going through their college years. However, their lives take a heartbreaking turn when they find themselves in the crosshairs of a menacing trucker, played with intensity by Jonathan Breck.
The film takes its evocative name from the tune “Jeepers Creepers,” a song that originated in 1938. This musical motif finds its way into the film through a rendition by Paul Whiteman, adding a haunting aural layer to the cinematic experience.
Within the supporting cast, Patricia Belcher and Eileen Brennan take on prominent roles, contributing to the film’s depth with their performances. Notably, the film’s creator, Víctor Salva, even appears onscreen in a cameo, adding a layer of involvement beyond his roles as writer and director.
Jeepers Creepers
“Jeepers Creepers” is a 2001 horror film written and directed by Víctor Salva. The film’s main cast includes Gina Philips and Justin Long, who play college-age brothers Trish and Darry Jenner.
They become the target of a menacing trucker played by Jonathan Breck. The film’s title is derived from the 1938 song “Jeepers Creepers”, which is incorporated into the film through a version performed by Paul Whiteman. Patricia Belcher and Eileen Brennan play notable supporting roles, and Víctor Salva himself makes a cameo appearance.
The film was produced thanks to the collaboration between American Zoetrope and the German companies Cinerenta-Cinebeta and Cinerenta Medienbeteiligungs KG. Production began in August 2000, after Salva convinced the studios to cast Gina Philips and Justin Long.
This was facilitated by the involvement of executive producer Francis Ford Coppola. However, due to significant budget constraints, Salva was forced to rework the entire third act of the film during the production process.
Principal photography took place over the course of two months in Florida, with filming locations including Ocala, Dunnellon, Reddick and Lake Panasoffkee. Upon completion, “Jeepers Creepers” was released theatrically by United Artists and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer on August 31, 2001.
Despite receiving mixed reviews, the film achieved commercial success, grossing $59 million against its $10 million budget.
The popularity of the film spawned a media franchise, with two sequels and a subsequent reboot. The original film’s haunting atmosphere and chase-driven story contributed to its lasting impact on the horror genre.
Jeepers Creepers Plot
Trish Jenner and her younger brother, Darry, embark on a spring break trip home from college. As they drive through the rural landscapes of Florida, they come across an ominous old truck that aggressively follows them before finally passing their vehicle.
Later, as they are moving forward, they come across the same sinister truck parked next to an abandoned church. The truck driver dumps what appear to be blood-soaked sheets containing corpses into a large tube protruding from the ground.
Curiosity mixed with concern leads Darry to investigate the situation. He hears strange sounds emanating from the pipe and ventures inside, with Trish holding on to her legs for support. Tragedy occurs when Trish accidentally loses control, causing Darry to fall to the bottom of the pipe.
Within the confines of this eerie underground space, Darry discovers a mortally wounded man with stitched wounds across his abdomen. What’s more gruesome is that the basement is adorned with gruesome scenes: countless corpses sewn onto the walls and ceiling. These macabre exhibits include the remains of a prom couple who had disappeared twenty-three years earlier.
Darry manages to escape from the pipe and reunites with Trish. They try to alert the authorities in a restaurant, but receive a mysterious call from a mysterious woman. She cryptically warns them of impending danger and plays the song “Jeepers Creepers” on a record player, predicting that one of them will die as she listens to the tune.
Although shaken, they ignore the warning and leave the restaurant accompanied by police officers seeking protection. Tragedy strikes once more when the police are brutally attacked and killed by the wrecked driver.
Trish and Darry’s terrifying experience escalates when they meet the driver again, who is seeking shelter at an elderly woman’s home. However, her safety is short-lived as the driver mercilessly murders the woman and reveals her monstrous face to her brothers.
Trish tries to fend off the creature by running her car over it, only to witness a gigantic wing unfold from her trench coat.
Seeking help, they arrive at a local police station, where they run into Jezelle Gay Hartman, a psychic who had previously contacted them. Jezelle discovers the heartbreaking truth about the haunter: an ancient being called “the Creeper.”
This entity awakens every 23 spring for twenty-three days, preying on human flesh to regenerate its own body. Jezelle reveals that the Creeper is drawn to fear and his terrified emotions have drawn his attention.
The Creeper launches an assault on the police station, causing chaos and carnage. Despite his best efforts, law enforcement fails to subdue the creature. Trapped with Jezelle, Trish and Darry receive a horrifying revelation: one of them is destined to meet a gruesome fate.
Under pressure, Darry demands to know who the chosen victim is, and Jezelle points to Trish. The Creeper confronts them, eventually selecting Darry as his target. In a desperate attempt to save her brother from him, Trish volunteers to take her place, but the Creeper escapes with Darry through a window and takes flight.
As dawn breaks, Trish is reunited with her parents, and Jezelle is left with a deep sense of remorse. In an abandoned factory, the shocking truth is revealed: The Creeper has mutilated Darry, gouging out her eyes and part of her skull as the haunting tune of “Jeepers Creepers” continues to play on her record player.
Jeepers Creepers Cast
|
Character |
Cast |
|
Trish Jenner |
gina philips |
|
Darry Jenner |
Justin Long |
|
the creeper |
Jonathan Breck (credited as “the Creeper”) |
|
Jezelle Gay Hartman |
Patricia Belcher |
|
The cat woman |
Eileen Brennan |
|
Sergeant Davis Tubbs |
Brandon Smith |
|
Private Robert Gideon |
Jon Besara |
|
Private Natasha Weston |
Avis Marie Barnes |
|
Cockroach |
Tom Tarantini |
|
dying child |
chris shepardson |
|
Officer with hole in the chest |
Will Hasenzahl |
|
creeper victim |
Victor Salva |
Where to see Jeepers Creepers?
“Jeepers Creepers”, the 2001 American horror film, is currently not available on Netflix. While the movie is not available for streaming on the Netflix platform, there are alternative methods to watch it.
Those interested in watching the movie can explore options like renting or buying it on Vudu, Google Play, and iTunes. As of right now, “Jeepers Creepers” is not included in the Netflix library, and people who want to experience the film will need to explore these alternate avenues.
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