Did tragedy bring them closer together or tear them farther apart?

Six female friends embark on a spelunking journey deep within a cavern located in the Appalachian Mountains. Once below, they’re dealt with the perils of a journey in an unexpectedly unmapped cave. But more so than this, they are not alone. Strange creatures live below the earth. Normally hunters, today the creatures find that their food has come hand delivered. A way out becomes the least of their concerns as the women must now fight for survival. Friendships are tested and secrets are revealed, all the while bloodthirsty creatures are hungry for flesh.

About as fun and creepy as a horror film can get, The Descent offers enough chills to appeal to a wider range of horror fan. In addition, the film is unpretentious and smart, unlike many of the genre offerings made available to us these days. Clever and interesting characters (who make solid decisions) are just the beginning though. The Descent does not hold back on the red stuff. But beyond this, the film is actually scary. Not just 'Boo' scary either. Scary on so many levels, tapping into a lot of common fears. And a couple of great, jump out of your seat moments with frighteningly clever 'reveals' thrown into the mix as well. In other words, scary like a good horror film should be.

A really great mix of horror and outright survival film, The Descent is so strong, it could perhaps even work without the horror elements thrown in the mix. Still, The Descent qualifies as a prime example of what late night horror entertainment should be. Which is a true testament to the films storytelling abilities. Unlike a lot of recent horror films, the story does not seem to be written around the horror elements, or if they are, director Neil Marshall (Dog Soldiers) does a fantastic job of disguising this. It's not as if he said, "Let's make a horror movie about a cave...so now, what happens and who gets trapped in it?" Rather, the characters appear to have come first, which is crucial, and makes the film all the more effective. There's just as much (if not more) tension before the creatures even make their first appearance.

Going Down?

Can I get some light in here? (Photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Film Society)

Excellent use of locations, confined spaces and a barrage of close-up shots taking up the entire scope frame help in giving the audience a real claustrophobic feel. Once it's time to open up the frame however, the true scale of the underground cavern is revealed and in this instance, more than enough space feels as if it's not nearly enough. An impressive balance is struck in this respect. Lighting a film like this could pose to be a filmmakers worst nightmare, but Marshall and company make it appear effortless.

I'd like to find something to piss and moan about in regards to this film, but it's becoming increasingly more difficult for me to do, and I've seen the film 3 times.

The Descent isn't ONE of the scariest movies I've seen in years, The Descent IS the scariest movie I've seen in years.

Note: The version of The Descent that played the Philly Film Festival is the version that Lions Gate will be eventually releasing to US theaters. Fans of the film should take note that Lions Gate has tacked on the 'alternate' ending featured as an extra on the UK DVD. Without spoiling anything, know that the original ending is far more desirable. Bad move on the part of Lions Gate.

Thumbs Up Finally. A scary horror film. Need I say more?