Cropsey

Filmmakers Joshua Zeman and Barbara Brancaccio grow up on Staten Island, hearing stories of the urban legend known as 'Cropsey.' This legend is told to keep children away from abandoned places, specifically the notorious Willowbrook Mental Institution.

In 1987, the terrifying urban legend takes a disturbing turn when 13-year-old Jennifer Schweiger, who has Down syndrome, disappears from the community. Her sudden absence shocks the neighborhood and adds a grim reality to the lore of Cropsey.

As adults, Zeman and Brancaccio decide to confront their childhood fears by investigating the disappearance of Jennifer Schweiger. They delve deeper into the dark history surrounding their childhood home, seeking answers about the missing children.

Through their investigation, the filmmakers discover a link between Schweiger’s disappearance and a mysterious drifter named Andre Rand. Rand's troubling past raises more questions about the safety of children in the area and the truth behind the Cropsey legend.

As Zeman and Brancaccio gather more leads, they unravel a disturbing pattern involving other missing children from Staten Island. Each clue they discover seems to deepen the mystery surrounding both Cropsey and the real-life events that inspired it.

The filmmakers interview locals to understand the community’s reaction and the lingering fear over the tales of Cropsey. Their conversations reveal a complex mixture of horror and disbelief surrounding the missing children cases.

Zeman and Brancaccio explore the history of the Willowbrook Mental Institution, once a place of neglect and horror. This exploration adds context to the fear of Cropsey and illustrates how the institution’s past continues to haunt the community.

The filmmakers gather eyewitness accounts and testimonies about Andre Rand, peeling back layers of the man who has been associated with the disappearances. These narratives paint a chilling picture of Rand's life and suggest a darker truth.

Zeman and Brancaccio confront their childhood fears head-on, revisiting the abandoned buildings and sites tied to their adolescent lore. This personal journey of rekindling old fears becomes a central theme in their documentary.

As the investigation culminates, the filmmakers uncover shocking revelations about the relationship between the missing children and Andre Rand. The documentary exposes a reality that is far more terrifying than the myths that shaped their youth.

The repercussions of Jennifer's disappearance and the investigation ripple through the Staten Island community. The legacy of Cropsey transforms from a mere urban legend into a sobering reminder of the real dangers that have affected generations.

The filmmakers release their documentary, effectively intertwining their personal histories with the haunting story of Cropsey. This film serves to educate and inform the public about the real-life implications of urban legends.