*Spoiler alert*
In this review, I’ll explore the highs, the lows, and the unsettling moments in between. If you’re ready to navigate a labyrinth of mystery and mayhem, let’s venture underground—just don’t forget to leave a trail of breadcrumbs behind.
Released in 2014, As Above, So Below is a found-footage horror film directed by John Erick Dowdle, co-written with his brother Drew Dowdle. Known for films like Quarantine and Devil, the duo set their sights on the Paris Catacombs, a real-life labyrinth containing the bones of over six million people.
The film made history as the first production officially allowed to shoot in the Catacombs. Filming in the cramped, unlit tunnels 60 feet below ground gave the movie its eerie authenticity. The actors even carried their own headlamps, providing both light and realism.
The title references the Hermetic phrase “as above, so below,” symbolizing the reflection of the universe within the individual. In the film, this theme unfolds as characters descend into a literal and psychological hell, confronting their deepest fears and regrets.
As Above, So Below is an interesting movie. It’s about an alchemy graduate, Scarlett, who’s following her deceased father’s footsteps in search of the mythicalphilosophers stone, an object capable of great powers.
The movie opens with Scarlett riding a bus deep into Iranian territory. A conversation between her and someone she’s speaking to over the phone reveal that she’s on a mission to discover an untouched catacomb hidden within a mine that’s conveniently scheduled for demolition. Later on we meet an acquaintance named Reza, a poor so conned by Scarlet to aid her search. Together, Scarlet and Reza descend into the mine following a tip her father left behind.
As much as I love a good found footage movie, I feel like the first part of this movie has too many moving parts. There’s a catacomb, in a mine, in Iran, where our female protagonist must remain illusive and retain stealth while spelunking deep onto this mine in search of a hidden catacomb, and they only have a limited amount of time before the entire mine is set to be demolished because just as their descending Iranian soldiers are filling it with explosives [inhale. . .] there’s a lot going on.
It’s not terrible though. The first part of the movie really helps set the tone for the rest going forward, claustrophobia. I watch cave diving videos on YouTube while I do dishes or to have something to watch when I’m doing repetitive tasks but wow did that movie make me feel so uncomfortable, in a good way of course. I think it had a lot to do with how chaotic it was. Alarms, guards, explosions, puzzles, all while trying to follow what’s going on with the story and with all that was going on all at once it felt like I was in the cave with them.
That was only the first cave though and all I can say is that for a little while we get some content above ground, meeting new character as Scarlet builds a team of uniquely skilled adventures willing to dive into the catacombs with her. While we’re still above ground we get a glimpse at the weirdness we’re about to endure.
I’ll say it again, this movie is interesting. It conveys everything that frustrates me about movies but keeps me captivated by its unique style and expression. It’s not a bad movie, I do think it falls short in the horror department though. The strongest reaction I could garnish from anything in that movie with how enclosed it made me feel and I think they intended to push that feeling when creating the movie to cover for the horror, or lack thereof.
Throughout the film our protagonists encounter paranormal activity all while dodging and solving Indiana Jones’s puzzles. It’s almost fun in a weird morbid way. Like if they made a Goonies but instead of the kids discovering pirate treasure they have to go through literal hell and face their own inner demons.
The worst part about the entire movie is the ending though.
Here’s the spoiler I was talking about; Scarlett and what remains of her crew discover the stone but are trapped because the room they found it was booby trapped to collapse. The only thing they can think to do is continue going forward and hope they discover an exit and end up in an “upside down” version of the same route they initially went down. They continue down carefully traversing past horrors and demons until there are only three, Scarlett, George, and Zed.
While dodging statue monsters, George is injured and Scarlet tries to save him by using the philosopher stone but it doesn’t work. Scarlet has an epiphany about some riddle and stealing she read on the room with they found the stone so she speed runs her way back to put the stone back and discovers that the power of the stone was in her heart the whole time. She then died runs back to George and Zed, who mind you she left behind in literal hell all for some inner self revelation. Anyways she gets back to them and uses her new knowledge to magically heal George. They then make a mad dash to the end of a long cave corridor where they run into a deep hole with no climbing equipment. Metaphor imbued, jump to absolve your sins, and they land at the bottom of the hole which is only a small room with a manhole cover in the in the floor. They push it out to reveal they feel all the back to the streets of Paris. The end.
I felt so robbed. Disappointed. I couldn’t believe how rushed the ending felt, and I had so many questions. I don’t often hope for a sequel but this feels like an exception. At least give us a prequel following her father.
In summary; the movie is okay. My rating would follow as such
- It has a pretty decent story
- It was unique in ways that couldn’t be replicated
- It depicts interesting moral dilemmas
- It definitely peaked my interest in paranormal topics
- It isn’t scary so much, more uncomfortable
- The buildup through the entire movie leads to a very disappointing ending
It’s rate it a solid 7/10. Not the first movie I’d recommend but if you’re looking for a something that fits the niche I’d definitely give it a shot.
You can find it on Netflix while they still have it up
Thank you so much for reading through this. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the movie in the comments. ❤️
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