The Poughkeepsie Tapes

Whew, talk about realism. Directed by John Erick Dowdle, who also did one of my favorite found-footage horrors, “As Above, So Below” and “Quarantine” as well. Poughkeepsie Tapes will remain with me for a very long time, the way they showed how easy it was to kidnap a child in broad daylight is worrisome. I know its just a movie, but its very plausible, and that’s what scares me the most.

This has to be one of the most authentic found-footage horrors I’ve come across. The circumstances with which all the victims were kidnapped are possible. It just goes to show that you really cannot trust anyone, even a stranger trying to help. Just wait for an official, even if you have to wait overnight. Tons of movies portrayed this as an MO (modus operandi) of most serial killers.

Realness of it

The MO switch-ups of the killer, as explained by the cops/investigators are also possible, and makes it all the more terrifying. Imagine you’re a detective, and you’re focused on finding a serial killer based on an MO. Then the killer stops for some time. Then another incident is reported with a different MO, surely you’d instantly think that the previous one stopped or moved to a different state for some reason and you’re now dealing with a different person. That’s what the detectives had to deal with here.

Having the retro feel of the 80s-90s VHS style of cinematography adds more authenticity to it. For a viewer, it feels like its harder, or even impossible to edit a tape recording from the 90s.

Over the top antics or terrifying reality

I’ve read some crticism about how the killer acts theatrically and seems comedic and silly in a way, but for me, he gets into this “character” so that he could do those heinous acts. Its like putting on a mask so as to hide your true identity from the public.

The best example of this in the film was when the killer kidnaps a woman using car trouble as an excuse. In the basement where she was held, the killer goes in, wearing all black skin suit, crawls on all fours, with a mask on top of the head, and another mask on his face. Slowly he emerges beside her from behind. 2 of his fingers are strapped with 5mm needles, he then slowly penetrates her neck. The camera angle is on the woman’s face, mouth sealed with clear packing tape, blood slowly gushes out her mouth. I’ll never forget that scene.

On the part of the police work in the town of Poughkeepsie and of how incompetent they may seem, it is horrifyingly true in some aspects. You’d understand why sometimes parents of the victims are the ones delivering judgement. Speaking of the parents, there was a scene here where the mother of our focused victim, Cheryl Dempsey was being interviewed by the press regarding the disappearance of her daughter, after the press finished, the camera switched to P.O.V. (point of view), now we’re seeing through the camera footage of the killer himself, casually walking up to the mother saying:

After a while, the mother familiarizes with his face, but too terrified of him and what he’d done that she couldn’t scream for help. We then see the killer running away, camera pointing downwards.

Real life inspiration

Some speculate that Dowdle may have used “Kendall Francois” as an inspiration to his very own Poughkeepsie killer.
Francois killed eight women over a two-year period between 1996 and 1998, after soliciting them for sex in the Town and City of Poughkeepsie. He secreted their remains in his home on Fulton Avenue.
*Full details on Kendall Francois following his death on the poughkeepsiejournal website.

The ending was depressing but very well done from a creative standpoint. It pulls you in and give you hope, only to be snatched away from you in an instant.

During credit roll, we see the killer in another location. The camera is faced in front of a woman with a gag on her mouth. The killer then says this:

Conclusion

The Poughkeepsie Tapes is not for everyone, as it deals with sensitive subject matter. (i.e. S.A., child abduction, murder) View it with caution. Fans of found-footage films however are welcome to check this one out, if you haven’t yet, this is your sign to do so. Aside from Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum, this is also one for the books, specially in the found-footage genre.