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Cropsey is a chilling documentary film created by Joshua Zeman and Barbara Brancaccio in 2009. This movie focuses on the legend of Cropsey, a figure said to have kidnapped and murdered children in the small town of Staten Island, New York. The filmmakers grew up in Staten Island, and they were aware of the Cropsey legend since their childhoods. They were fascinated by the story, and they decided to investigate it further. As a result, the movie is a combination of a horror story and a documentary.

The film starts with the history of Willowbrook State School, a mental institution that was closed down in the 1980s due to its inhumane conditions. The institution was located in Staten Island, and many children with mental disabilities were subjected to cruel experiments and left to live in squalor.

The legend of Cropsey emerged around the same time that Willowbrook State School was operational. Children from the nearby towns started to disappear, and no one could explain why. The police were unable to solve the mystery, and the parents were left in fear.

The filmmakers use the Cropsey legend as a starting point to explore the real-life crimes committed in Staten Island. They interview various people who were involved in the story, including the lead detective on the case, the parents of missing children, and the residents of the community.

The filmmakers also visit the abandoned ruins of Willowbrook State School, where they find evidence of the horrors that took place there. They meet with former patients of the institution, who describe the abuse and neglect they suffered.

As the movie progresses, the filmmakers start to uncover some disturbing truths about the Cropsey legend. They find evidence that suggests that there may have been a real-life Cropsey figure who was responsible for some of the crimes. They interview Andre Rand, a convicted kidnapper and murderer who was known to be in the area when some of the children disappeared.

The movie takes a dark turn as the filmmakers delve deeper into the investigation. They uncover evidence that suggests that Rand may have been involved in a sinister cult that operated in the area, and that children may have been used in their rituals.

The final act of the movie focuses on the trial of Andre Rand, who was finally brought to justice for his crimes. The filmmakers attend the trial and interview the families of the victims, who express their relief that justice has finally been served.

Cropsey is a haunting and thought-provoking movie that explores the nature of urban legends and the real-life horrors that inspire them. The filmmakers use the Cropsey legend as a starting point to explore the darker side of human nature, and they leave no stone unturned in their search for the truth.

The movie is made even more compelling by the fact that the filmmakers grew up in the area and were personally affected by the legend. Their passion for the subject matter is evident throughout the movie, and they succeed in creating a suspenseful and engaging documentary.

Overall, Cropsey is a must-see for anyone interested in true crime stories and the nature of urban legends. It is a chilling reminder of the darkness that can lie hidden beneath the surface of even the most apparently idyllic communities.

Cropsey is a 2009 mystery with a runtime of 1 hour and 24 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3 and a MetaScore of 73.