One of the Most Underrated Horror Films of All Time
By Xander Townsend | Misfit Media Editor
(Spoiler Free & Contains Graphic Content)
There are many horror films that are iconic and absolutely deserve to be such as Nightmare on Elm St, Friday the 13th, Halloween, and many more. What do all these films have in common? They are part of a franchise that has lasted decades. Now it is very rare to find a genuinely decent horror film that can stand alone without instalment 1 through to 12 especially in the modern era but I think I've found what I would consider to be the most underrated stand-alone horror film of all time, The Descent. It's definitely one to add to your Halloween watch list, if you dare.
The Descent, released in 2005 and directed by Neil Marshall, is one of the most invigorating and genuinely terrifying horror films I have seen, and I'd consider myself a horror film connoisseur. It is a British adventure horror film following six female adrenaline junkies traversing a cave system. Now at face value, a film on caving may not be the most conceptually horrific thing you can think of but that’s why to me it is so impressive. The film doesn't rely on the concept, but instead moulds the context with impressive shotwork, dynamic characters, and eerie happenings to create the most terrifying environment one could possibly be in.
There are many fears that this films plays on but the main is claustrophobia. Claustrophobia is the fear of confined and tight spaces with on average, 5-10% of the population being affected by it. This film and the way the cave diving is portrayed would make any experienced spelunker recoil and It certainly made me think twice about ever considering going underground in the same way Jaws made everyone think twice about going into the water.
This film was made for approximately 4 million USD and racked in 57million in box office. Now don’t get me wrong those numbers are certainly high, but when you discuss horror movies and culture this film hardly ever comes up. I think this deserve a better wrap as I can comfortably say it was one of the more terrifying films in the horror genre, and when it boils down to it that’s the point right?