average score of 73 out of 100, based on 14 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews". After the 2009 premier, programmer David Kwok stated: “the eeriness of the mystery pulsates through the film as they journey into the underbelly… as more information and clues unravel, Zeman and Brancaccio become more immersed in shocking surprises and revelations. The reality they uncover in this uniquely hair-raising documentary is more terrifying than any urban legend.” Film critic Roger Ebert gave the film three out of four stars, writing, "Cropsey is a creepy documentary with all the elements of a horror film about a demented serial killer, and an extra ingredient: This one is real." Jeannette Catsoulis of The New York Times called it "Disturbing and flavorful", praising the film's use of archival footage, interviews, and "true-crime narrative". Noel Murray from The A.V. Club wrote, "Cropsey is compelling as a meditation on how we use stories to explain the inconceivable, and how if no story is handy, we take the available clues and make one up." J.R. Jones from The Chicago Reader praised the film as "disturbing", and praised the filmmakers exploration behind the real life inspiration behind the urban legend. Cynthia Fuches of PopMatters rated the film seven out of ten stars, offering the film similar praise as well is its storytelling and investigation aspects. The film was not without its detractors. Slant Magazine'''s Nick Schager awarded the film two out of four stars, writing, "Zeman’s portentous, trailer-ready narration and the film’s correspondingly manipulative horror-film aesthetics and fondness for creepy suggestions over vigorous journalism, typified by a wannabe-Zodiac “You decide!” ending, turns what might have been a portrait of the boogeyman myth’s lingering societal role into merely a crude episode of 48 Hours." Since its release, Cropsey has been featured on numerous lists of best true crime and horror documentaries by major publications, such as The New Yorker, The Huffington Post, Cosmopolitan, A.V. Club'', Decider, and more. Awards and nominations Hammer to Nail: 2009 Tribeca’s Grand Jury Prize. IndieWIRE’s 2009 Best Undistributed Film list, Annual Critics Survey. Closing Night Film, SF Documentary Festival. Audience Award Winner, Staten Island Film Festival. See also The Burning (film), a 1981 horror film based on the urban legend of Cropsey Madman (1982 film), a 1982 horror film based on the urban legend of Cropsey References External links 2009 documentary films 2009 films 2000s crime films 2009 horror films