The Descent (2005) Review

Written by: Alex   

To me, Neil Marshall's "The Descent" ranks up with "Alien", "The Blair Witch Project" and "Jaws" as of the great classic horror movies of all time. What do each of these films have in common? A leisurely-paced build up to establish drama, character and dread and slow-revealings of those things that go bump in the night. When "The Descent" finally kicks into high-gear, the audience is treated to bloody, visceral scares and scenes of visual brilliance.

The movie tells the story of a group of thrill-seeking women who get together to go spelunking in a little known Appalachian cave. Unfortuantely, they are trapt inside when rocks fall out to block the only exit known to them. As the women search for a way out, accidents and arguments occur. Then, all hell breaks loose when flesh-eating bat-like, humanoid creatures (which resemble the Reapers from Del Toro's "Blade II") start to get hungry.

In a refreshing twist, none of the women are screaming victims who get slaughtered in a hurry. They are not afraid to put up a violent fight with the eerie, fast-moving predators.

I will say the movie didn't surprise me as much as I thought it was going to, it did have a number of great jump-out-of-your seat moments. Also, I believe this a movie that will appeal to critics as well as to horror fans due to the artistic creativity the director uses. I haven't seen Marshall's "Dog Soldier" just yet, but after watching "The Descent", I know that I have to. This is one of the best horror films I've ever seen.