After a successful year playing to rapt audiences in the UK, this horror gem is about to be unleashed on unsuspecting North American audiences. Made for about eight million dollars, it’s done terrific business throughout Europe based largely on word of mouth.
The Descent opens on a group of female friends white water rafting down a Scottish river, as the husband and daughter of one of them watches from the shore. They have masterfully maneuvered crashing waves and rocks at top speed and end their adventure on an exuberant high.
In playful good spirits, Sarah playfully knocks Juno into the cold water. The triumphant tone shifts as Juno gazes at Sarah with shock and not quite discernable, but dark emotions.
Sarah’s husband and daughter are killed in a freak accident on the way home. It’s a terrifically shocking moment, especially coming as early as it does in the story. Their demise is pretty rough.
Sarah awakens in hospital, realizes her loss, and suffers a nervous collapse. Her friends try to restrain and comfort her, but in the background, we see Juno, unable to cope, running away.
A year later, they meet up with a group of girlfriends in Appalachia, with a grand plan to conquer the caves. They hope it will bring Sarah out of her depression. She always loved the challenge of extreme sports until the tragedy struck and they’re counting on a new conquest to bring back the old Sarah.
Cozy inside their ramshackle rental cabin, the girls lift beer bottles and pledge to love each day. Alliances are set up and we know we’re in for an interesting journey.
The next morning, Juno drives them to the cave mouth. They studied it in a guidebook, on Juno’s recommendation, but she deliberately leaves the book in the SUV. She says she’s explored the caves before and with her overpowering personality, takes the expedition lead.
Once underground, they discover marvels of nature few get to see - beautiful rock formations, cave drawings, waterfalls and a network of tunnels. All seems well with in this intriguing, dark world.
Just as they’re drinking it in, a couple of them instinctively feel something’s wrong.
Some time after they set on their way, a landslide blocks the only familiar exit.
And they may have company two miles underground.
What is interesting about ‘The Descent’ is that it’s based solely on female protagonists, each different, each powerful and decisive in her own way. Each is physically and mentally strong. It is especially remarkable in the canon of horror film. And as things get progressively worse, they discover inner resources they never knew they had.
The plot twists are well executed and fast paced. They make sense, and best of all, come at us right out of the blue. There are no false notes or misleading red herrings. There is no gratuitous fat, just lean, mean story telling.
The women’s responses to their situations, navigating claustrophobia, anger and fear, and their endurance and lightning quick decisions, are believable and lifelike. As in most claustrophobic settings, interpersonal conflicts arise that may never have been addressed and again, it makes sense.
The Descent is a taut and thrilling adventure, made on a small budget and with unknown actors, the kind of film that throws big boy Hollywood players to the mat.
Like the Blair Witch Project, ‘The Descent’ will find an appreciative audience in North America and add significantly to its coffers.
A word of caution –it’s claustrophobic and effectively horrifying.
Opens wide USA August 4th. MPAA: Rated R for strong violence/gore and language
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