Under the Radar:"Cropsey"

A few months back I was scanning through my usual film-whore websites and read about a documentary called "Cropsey" on Bloody Disgusting which details the story of a child abductor and serial killer on the grounds of the Willowbrook Mental Institution on Staten Island. On the surface, it very much is a documentary that you would expect to see on The History Channel or Court TV, but what makes it so special is that the two creators, Joshua Zeman and Barbara Brancaccio, were raised in the surrounding neighborhoods. Solidarity of the community is what separates Staten from the other Boroughs of the city and this community pulled together back in 1987 when 10 year old Jennifer Schweiger goes missing. The results of their efforts has a man named Andre Rand who was once also a patient at Willowbrook arrested for the murders, and the documentary investigates the history of this man and the resonance of Willowbrook's presence on the island.


Now, as said before, I read about this documentary on a horror film website, so of course my interest was piqued just at the mention. "Cropsey" as a word was a default nick-name used by parents and forms of authority on Staten to describe a public predator towards children and in turn, the youths of the community turned it into its own urban legend. While watching this film, I felt it lacks a sense of direction, but it works in an odd way; because the collection of interviews, archived footage (including Geraldo Rivera's breakout expose on Willowbrook), and tense trespassing on the grounds of the Asylum at night really bring out a vibe of horror that does not hit you at the initial viewing, but creeps and builds like tree sap, hardens, and refuses to break away from your mind by the time the film is over. The fact that the film never gives a clear definition if Rand was actually guilty of his crimes (which may have involved the abductions and disappearance of other children), or was a pawn in a larger game in a what may have been cultist activities also adds to the realization of how the social dynamic works when there is panic in the community.

Many people who view this film might find it a bit slow for their tastes, but I personally felt the pacing was appropriate given the subject matter, and I am personally amazed by my own outlook on it because I am a man who really does not have the patience to listen unless if the point is quick and sweet. But what in this film is both horrifying and mystifying simultaneously, and handled professionally by the creators, because in the end, it really is not an expose of a killer, the victims, or the dynamic between predator and prey, but it is about how fear is generated by an urban legend. Every community has its own urban legends, their "Cry Baby Bridge"s, "Bunny Man Bridges", and "Resurrection Mary". And with each legend, a cult following ensues, the element of curiousness and how sometimes these legends may not be fictional gives every person a reason to appreciate the culture of their own Borough. Now not to look into this doc too much, but it is terrifying in its own way, it is not meant to scare, being handled maturely, but it will resonate with you. Being available on Netflix's instant cue, if you have this service, I could not recommend this more for a viewing. Watch it alone, or watch it with company, but do not expect to leave unmarked.

Final Verdict: Must See