The Descent (2005) Review

Written by: alex1176   

Neil Marshall's "The Descent" truly ranks up with "Alien", "Jaws" and “The Exorcist” as one of the great horror dramas of all time. What does each of these films have in common? A leisurely-paced build up to establish character, drama, dread and a slow-revealing 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. Unfortunately, they are trapped 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. The movie is extremely intense and has a number of great jump-out-of-your seat moments. This is a horror flick that pleases critics as well as fans due to the artistic creativity the director uses. It’s easily the best horror film of 2006.

P.S. Now that I’ve seen the original ending on DVD, I have to say that I prefer the alternate version shown in American theaters.