The Descent (2005, Marshall)

Breathlessly claustrophobic new age horror film. Strongest during its first half because the director Neil Marshall takes time to tenderly introduce us to the 6 females who will go spelunking into a remote cave, get trapped and face horrific danger lurking underneath in the blinding darkness. Good movies get their genre right. Great films also have sharp observations of characters as human beings. "Descent" is that rare film that does both immensely well. Horror has never been my idea of a good time, mainly because most horror films are almost always consumed with providing surface level shocks that are mostly short lived, but "The descent" is horror mixed with everything you would want in a strong, well made movie, including believability. The scenes set within the cave are so realistic, I was surprised to find out later that they were mainly sets combined with effects. Has a spectacularly tense build up that depends on audience’s field of vision, attentiveness and general alertness to really be rewarding. Watching this in a group, there were times when I noticed things in the darkness no one else did or failed to hear sounds that others with me picked up.

Many have complained about its slasher movie ending - which I believe is an inevitable turn the story has to make to show the extreme reactions of humans when pushed to their very limits. Features a slightly more upbeat ending in the US version (which should be avoided!). Has many noticeable homages to classic films done in a way that enhances, rather than distracts. Of all the films I’ve watched recently, has lingered in my mind the longest and strongest.

Rating: 5/5