Journeys are all about discovery - of ourselves and the world around us. There are some hard truths that challenge the women in this story and it's riveting stuff. I would argue that the Drama element is actually scarier than the Horror we encounter and the trek there is what remains with us long after the credits roll.
In a remote part of the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina, six women meet for a spelunking expedition in an effort to reunite and strengthen their relationships. In the wake of a traumatic event that rocked the group to their core, an adventure feels like a natural progression towards resolution and forgiveness. But when the unexpected occurs, anxiety manifests itself into doubt and accusations start flying in the tight spaces below the safety of solid ground.
The pin that holds these unique characters together is their perceived understanding of what tethers one to another. Any straying from that understanding can snap the connections, and secrets could quickly become lies. Each woman shines in their own way, written with a strong personality and clear motivations to achieve a realistic dynamic within the group. And that's all thanks to Writer/Director Neil Marshall's solid script. Nobody feels written off (no pun intended) and the weight of grief on our main protagonist feels like it's truly touched every member in a different way.
It's Marshall's best film by a mile. 'Dog Soldiers', which preceded it was a fantastic addition to the Lycanthrope lore. But 'The Descent' does exactly what the title alludes to - it descends to a deeper level, looking at the traits and flaws of the human condition well below the surface. The performances make the quest every bit as fun as it sounds, without having to put on the gear ourselves. And the epiphanies feel like lessons we can take with, us to reflect on without burden.
In the pit of one's stomach, there's a truth that lies dormant, ready to crawl out at any moment and reveal itself. And as the old saying goes, the truth hurts. The revelation is absolute for the sake of our protagonist and she learns to overcome it; even if by then she's already in her own private hell.
In a remote part of the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina, six women meet for a spelunking expedition in an effort to reunite and strengthen their relationships. In the wake of a traumatic event that rocked the group to their core, an adventure feels like a natural progression towards resolution and forgiveness. But when the unexpected occurs, anxiety manifests itself into doubt and accusations start flying in the tight spaces below the safety of solid ground.
The pin that holds these unique characters together is their perceived understanding of what tethers one to another. Any straying from that understanding can snap the connections, and secrets could quickly become lies. Each woman shines in their own way, written with a strong personality and clear motivations to achieve a realistic dynamic within the group. And that's all thanks to Writer/Director Neil Marshall's solid script. Nobody feels written off (no pun intended) and the weight of grief on our main protagonist feels like it's truly touched every member in a different way.
It's Marshall's best film by a mile. 'Dog Soldiers', which preceded it was a fantastic addition to the Lycanthrope lore. But 'The Descent' does exactly what the title alludes to - it descends to a deeper level, looking at the traits and flaws of the human condition well below the surface. The performances make the quest every bit as fun as it sounds, without having to put on the gear ourselves. And the epiphanies feel like lessons we can take with, us to reflect on without burden.
In the pit of one's stomach, there's a truth that lies dormant, ready to crawl out at any moment and reveal itself. And as the old saying goes, the truth hurts. The revelation is absolute for the sake of our protagonist and she learns to overcome it; even if by then she's already in her own private hell.
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