The Poughkeepsie Tapes Review (2007)

Synopsis

In an abandoned house in Poughkeepsie, New York murder investigators uncover hundreds of tapes showing decades of a serial killer’s work, which is told through interviews and footage from a cache of the killer’s snuff films.

My Thoughts

This killer has some bizarre fetishes.

He likes making victims bounce on balloons until they burst as one example, and while most of the violence happen off-screen, you still get to see some creepy action in his basement.

The movie mostly follows a victim named Cheryl. After kidnapping her, the killer keeps her alive as his personal slave and makes her call him “master” and even forces her to kill another victim he brings into the basement.

Yeah, you could say he is a bit on the sick side.

Cheryl is eventually found alive, but she isn’t in the best shape. She gives an interview at the end which shows how the killer’s torture has worked on her and we have a Stockholm Syndrome moment as she now can’t imagine living without him.

This one won’t be for everyone because of the subject matters portrayed, but despite some questionable acting, the film tells a strong and powerful story as you know we have people like this roaming around in the real world.

The footage itself is quite creepy, with its grainy, old VHS look and sometimes it’s hard to watch, but that realness feel is what makes it even more disturbing

The killer is truly twisted, and the story does has some interesting twists as well thrown in, and for fans of documentary-style horror, this film is more intense than most I have seen..

You never really know what to expect next.

Good Points

Creepy Atmosphere: The grainy VHS-style footage in the film just adds to the quite unsettling feel of the movie.

Psychological Horror: The film focuses more on the psychological terror and dread rather than just gore, which I like. It has a lot of great tension.

Memorable Scenes: Certain scenes in the movie you will not forget in a hurry.

Bad Points

Acting Quality: Some of the performances, particularly from side characters like the police, are quite wooden and not great.

Niche Appeal: The movie won’t appeal to everyone because of the subject matters and it’s not one to sit down and watch on a first date.

Pacing: The movie feels unbalanced at times and has some slow moments to put up with.

Is It Worth Watching?

If you enjoy watching an unsettling horror movie with a gritty, realistic feel, this one will be right up your street.

It has a very intense atmosphere and lots of tension and is a movie you won’t forget watching in a hurry.

As said though, the subject matter means this film will have a very niche audience I feel, and it won’t be for everyone.

The Poughkeepsie Tapes on IMDB

Where To Watch

MGM+
Amazon Prime

Director and Cast

Director – John Erick Dowdle

Main Cast – Stacy Chbosky, Ben Messmer, Samantha Robson, Ivar Brogger, Lou George, Kim Kennt, Amy Lyndon, Ron Harper