A Spelunking Journey Turns Lethal in This Claustrophobic Indie Horror Movie

There’s one thing about caves that set all of my alarm bells ringing. Tight areas, true darkness, and no actual concept of what lingers inside has left me with a wholesome concern of going underground. Spelunking may be a interest for some, however for me it is true nightmare gasoline, and that was solely exacerbated by one in every of my favourite horror flicks. 

When a gaggle of associates goes exploring a neighborhood cave system, they’re ready for the claustrophobia of tons of rock urgent down round them, however not for the devilish monsters hiding inside darkish tunnels. 

The Descent is a 2006 horror movie you may watch free of charge with a Prime Video subscription. A cult basic infused with hints of terror in each body, this film has struck concern into the hearts of audiences for practically 20 years. 

I have been a fan of horror motion pictures because the Nineteen Eighties, beginning with classics like Pumpkinhead. Over time, I’ve discovered some that I maintain coming again to, even when I understand how they will finish. The Descent is completely one in every of them.

The Descent delivers a stifling, dread-filled expertise. In the event you do not like tight areas, it is even worse. Each time I watch, the lethal catastrophe has me overlaying my eyes and screaming as occasions spiral uncontrolled. 

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The film begins on the conclusion of a whitewater rafting journey, the place six girls have been bonding and having a good time. On the drive residence, the lead character, Sarah, loses her husband and their daughter in a automotive accident that shatters her world. That tragedy units the tone for your entire film, warning viewers that issues are solely going to worsen. 

A yr after the lethal automotive crash, the six associates reunite for an additional journey. Their plan is to spend a day exploring in a North Carolina cave system within the Appalachian Mountains. Issues begin off superb, however then Sarah turns into caught in a very slim passage. She manages to squirm via, however a rockfall behind her leaves the entire girls trapped deep underground with no concept the best way to get out. 

One of many associates, Juno, then admits that they don’t seem to be within the precise cave system she’d reported to native authorities, however as a substitute in a never-before-explored part. They’re totally on their very own, with no hope of assist. 

As the ladies progress deeper into the cave, searching for an exit, they discover previous climbing gear together with a portray which may level towards a method out. One other member of the group, Holly, rushes ahead at an indication of sunshine, earlier than falling right into a gap and breaking her leg. Whereas the opposite girls are inclined to her, Sarah seems round and sees a creature ingesting from a pool of water earlier than it notices her and scurries into the darkness. 

After that, issues go from very unhealthy to a lot, a lot worse. The ladies encounter a big room stuffed with animal bones and the creatures that ate up them. These pale humanoid monsters, which the ladies dub “Crawlers,” assault them viciously in the dead of night whereas they battle again as finest they will.

Holly, hindered by her damaged leg, is the Crawlers’ first sufferer, and he or she’s shortly dragged off into the darkness. Within the ensuing chaos, Sarah is knocked unconscious, whereas Juno unintentionally stabs good friend Beth within the neck. June flees, however not earlier than Beth snatches a pendant round her neck. 

When Sarah regains consciousness, she sees a horrifying sight. Crawlers battle over her good friend’s physique and notice the utter bleakness of the state of affairs. Sarah refuses to surrender, although, and buckles down for a battle, ready to seek out her method again to the floor. 

I will not spoil the devastating third act. You will want to observe your self to be taught whether or not Juno and Sarah survive the horrors of the tunnels and the Crawlers that inhabit them. At slightly below 100 minutes, this darkish plunge into terror works nice as a part of a film marathon or a fast weeknight flick. 

The Descent has thrilled audiences for 20 years and shortly reached basic standing for a superb motive — it is a tightly paced and really scary film that drags you deep underneath the earth, delivering a narrative and characters you will not neglect. Stream it now on Prime Video to find the entire terrors that the caves are hiding.