The Descent

Lead by Juno (Natalie Mendoza) a group of friends, six girls, go on their annual adventure trip. This year they go on a caving expedition and the group head off to caves in a remote mountain range. A few of the girls are into 'extreme sports' and are experienced rock climbers but none are ready for the danger that is lurking deep underground.

Following a rock fall in the caves the group realise that they are trapped and must look for another exit but something far more deadly and terrible waits for them...

This horror came as a bit of a surprise as it was more intelligent than most movies in this genre. For a start it's not just a case of waiting to see which girl is going to get the chop next! Each of the girls have their own personality and there is a bit of a story or background to each character. For example we learn that Sarah (Shauna MacDonald) is trying to move forward with her life after a terrible accident. Her best friend, Juno (Natalie Mendoza) is the leader of the group.

It is interesting to see how the different personalities interact especially when things start to go wrong deep in the tunnels and caves, and the makeup of the group changes. The horror that awaits them is not introduced until about half way through the movie and this gives time to develop the personalities while building up the suspense.

Clever filming really gives a sense and feel of the darkness in the underground environment with a lot of the movie shot in gloomy shadowy lighting produced by the torches and lights that the girls carry. The claustrophobic atmosphere of the caves and tunnels is perfectly portrayed as the girls clambering over rocks or wriggle through narrow tunnels. And people do this for fun!

There are plenty of frights and suspense, and it is also very gory in parts. Definitely not for the faint hearted.

Bottom Line: A gory violent Horror that won't appeal to a lot of people but for the Horror fan this is a must. Plenty of suspense and frights but also proves that Horrors don't have to be totally mindless!

If you enjoy The Descent you might also enjoy The Grudge or My Little Eye.

Reviewed by Niall Quinn, Premier Movie Reviews 2005.

RELATED MOVIE REVIEWS: NORA JANE NOONE: The Magdalene Sisters.

Genre: Horror

Director: Neil Marshall

Certificate: The Descent was rated 18 by the Irish Film Censor's Office (www.ifco.ie) i.e. only for persons of 18 years and over. Violence = strong. Drugs = none. Sex/Nudity = none. Language = strong.

Official Movie Website: The Descent

~ Main Cast ~

Shauna MacDonald

Natalie Mendoza

Alex Reid

Saskia Mulder

Nora Jane Noone

MyAnna Buring