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The Poughkeepsie Tapes

R 2007 1h 26m Horror Mystery & Thriller List
50% Tomatometer 6 Reviews 51% Audience Score 25,000+ Ratings
Hundreds of video tapes of torture, murder and dismemberment show a killer's decadelong reign of terror. Read More Read Less

Critics Reviews

View All (6) Critics Reviews
James Berardinelli ReelViews The Poughkeepsie Tapes would lodge in the memory but its impact is fleeting. That’s because, for all its skill, it has nothing to say and no real story to tell. Rated: 1.5/4 Jul 12, 2024 Full Review Tony Black Cultural Conversation A horrific gem. One of the great found footage pictures and indeed the faux documentary genre. Rated: 4/5 Feb 16, 2021 Full Review Gabriel Ricard Cultured Vultures The Poughkeepsie Tapes isn't a classic, but it's an engaging horror mockumentary nonetheless. Rated: 6/10 Oct 23, 2019 Full Review David Keyes Cinemaphile.org The movie thinks too diminutively of human intelligence, even by horror film standards. Rated: 2/4 Oct 13, 2014 Full Review Brian Orndorf Blu-ray.com With every revelation that could give the Dowdles something to play with, they head right back into the basement, convinced audiences would rather watch close-ups of throat-slittings and teary yelps of pain. Rated: D+ Aug 7, 2014 Full Review Jason Morgan Filmcritic.com it's the killer's bizarre motivations that truly terrify Rated: 4/5 May 12, 2009 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (376) audience reviews
Vincent R At first I thought this was a true story of a very sick monster man type of person but it was all make believe. I found it was all fake on Google and I couldn’t believe my eyes that this was all fake. They did a wonderful job making everything look so realistic. I know this came out years ago but I hope they make a squirrel about this sick disturbing movie. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/18/24 Full Review Dallas H Is this movie supposed to be scary? I think it's more like a psychological litmus test to separate the narcissists who could suffer through a disorder of victim mentality than anything else. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 06/23/24 Full Review Lynx H Personally this movie was not nearly as bad as ive heard it is. There really isnt any showing of what goes on in the tapes. People have told me that its extremely disturbing so I went into this being freaked out, but it wasnt bad at all. I liked the story because this could actually happen in real life which makes it unsettling, but I wish it had more plot and explained more. Because of how they hid things and cut things off you never truly understand much about the man behind the mask. Would I rewatch this no. Was it an enjoyable movie yes. Id say for anyone wanting to get more into graphic horror movies, this is a good beginning one! Rated 2 out of 5 stars 06/19/24 Full Review Joel M This movie is very scary due to how realistic it is, but like there is no mystery or plot. It would be cool if they leaned into it being a murder mystery instead of it just being found footage "torture tapes". The interview near the end was probably the best part of the movie if I'm being honest. Scary but kinda missed potential. 6/10 would recommend if into found footage shock films. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 04/06/24 Full Review Mortal It was not very scary. It was filmed as a documentary of a serial killer and completed with his own tapes. There are scenes that are disturbing but I would not say that it is the best thing I ever watched. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 03/10/24 Full Review Jacob C Likely to be one of the best found footage films from the 2000's, the Poughkeepsie Tapes does provide a morbid perspective from a killer during their acts. However, serious flaws remain with the balancing of the story's elements, which needed nore attentiveness to make this film the best it can be. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/07/24 Full Review Read all reviews
The Poughkeepsie Tapes

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Movie Info

Synopsis Hundreds of video tapes of torture, murder and dismemberment show a killer's decadelong reign of terror.
Director
John Erick Dowdle
Screenwriter
Drew Dowdle, John Erick Dowdle
Production Co
Brothers Dowdle Productions, Poughkeepsie Films
Rating
R (Graphic Descriptions|Terror|Sadistic Violence and Torture)
Genre
Horror, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 2, 2020
Runtime
1h 26m