The Descent - 2005
Quick Summary
In the middle of the Appalachian mountains, six young women meet up for a caving expedition.
Suddenly, a landslide blocks the way back. As they try to find another way out, they realize they're not alone. Something is down there with them... Something terribly dangerous, determined to hunt them down one by one...
My Thoughts
A horror film with a difference! First of all, the all-female cast of 6 shakes up the usual codes. The characters are endearing, and even though we know from the start that there will be deaths - and we can almost predict which ones - the film is easy to watch and manages to build impressive tension.
The script is highly original. This isn't a slasher or a zombie movie, nor is it a virus movie; it's a film about 6 women setting off on a caving expedition from which they may never return.
There are several interesting aspects to this film, not least the psychological aspect, which is particularly well-developed. Indeed, we soon see the excesses of human behavior caused by fear and anxiety.
The visual effects are well executed and the underground scenes are beautiful, although I found some of the scenes in the dark difficult to understand. The gore is a little present, but also very well done.
The denouement is good, but we'd have liked it to lean a little more to one side or the other.
In short, it's easy to get carried away by this film, which is a change from what we're used to seeing.