"The Descent" was released in 2005 and saw much critical acclaim. I remember going to see it in the cinema with a group of friends and everyone was terrified of what had been brought to life on the big screen. Neil Marshall; who had previously directed "Dog Soldiers", had made a name for himself. However, I don't think anyone saw this coming...The story follows a group of friends who are into extreme sports. The opening scene sees them white water rafting and having a great time. However, the happy times end abruptly when lead character Sarah, with her husband and daughter are involved in what I can only describe as a horrific car crash. Sarah is the only survivor and has a little bit of a meltdown - understandably. Fast forward to a year after the accident and the friends are meeting up to try and do some cave diving. They have their route plotted out and the mountain rescue alerted of their where abouts just in case of an emergency. As they dive into the caves and progress deeper and deeper, there is a minor tunnel collapse, causing them to have to find another way out. AS things get more and more tense, it becomes obvious that they are not alone in these caves.
The first thing you will notice when watching "The Descent" is that you will have an overwhelming feeling of claustrophobia though out the opening 45 minutes. The tunnels are so narrow, people get stuck and begin to panic and it just draws you into their world, almost to the point of having a panic attack yourself. The score is minimalist during the times when they are travelling through the smaller passages, so you hear every little pebble move and every grunt as the girls struggle to maneuver their way through. People afraid of tight spaces - this includes me - may find this unwatchable.
Secondly, the appearance of the first creature in the film is just past the half way mark. The tension has been building to unbearable levels for the first have and when they finally show you the creatures you are at boiling point! Everything just gets progressively worse. There is no moment in the film where you think that everything is going to be okay and that they will make it. It is more like watching something that you know the outcome of, and yet you still find yourself on the edge of your seat, biting through what's left of your nails.
"Neil Marshall" seems to be the master of the set piece. The film is well connected, with a strong plot line and underlying story. However, what you will notice the most about this film is that a large portion of the scenes will stand out. There are very few lulls to speak of, and even when the story slows its pace, you know it is only to draw you in. There are many scenes in this film which I believe to be iconic, but my favorite by a country mile is the first proper encounter with the creatures. I won't say exactly what happens, but I will tell you that it involves the use of the night vision on their video recorder.
The story manages to old itself together beautifully as it flows perfectly without skipping a beat. Even the less significant plot lines - or at least you perceive them that way - are expertly woven into the run of the story. The acting is very strong, very intense and sense of panic is well maintained through the duration. A near perfect horror film.
If you want a real scare this Halloween, I would have to recommend this film as not only one of my favorite horror films of all time, but one of my favorite films of all time. It is a beautifully crafted work of tension, suspense and dread. I have watched "The Descent" around 20 times now, and I can honestly say I am still entertained ever time I pop it in the DVD player. Seeing it in the cinema was a genuinely scary experience, but it doesn't mean watching it home is any less worthwhile - a surround sound system will make sure you are kept on your toes. A modern classic and hopefully one day a full blown classic. This movie has what you want.
Rating 5 out of 5
See it if you liked:
The Cave
Creep
What does IMDB say?
Review by Stephen King
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