As Above, So Below Review (2014)

Synopsis

Scarlett Marlowe’s pursuit for the philosopher’s stone turns into a nightmare when her exploration group begins to encounter supernatural experiences while descending into the Catacombs of Paris.

My Thoughts

As Above, So Below’s premise sounds simple enough, but this movie isn’t just about running around in tunnels, it is also packed with references about ancient religions, alchemy, and mystical philosophy, which I actually enjoy.

And it doesn’t just throw this stuff in to sound smart, and the entire film is really built around these ideas, but I won’t bore you with those details, as I am sure you just want to know whether it is a good film or not?

First off, I know it’s not manly to admit this, but tight spaces freak me the hell out, and I get the I’m going to die in here levels of anxiety even when watching people in tight spaces.

And it’s not some random fear, my brain has been training for this since childhood as I used to have these recurring nightmares where I was crawling through a dirt tunnel, and the bastard just kept getting smaller.

So it is fair to say that As Above, So Below worked very well for me, as we have some very claustrophobic scenes as said, that made me physically curl into myself as I shout advice to the character on the screen, as if it is actually going to do anything.

And while I obviously love horror movies, all types of them, this movie also attacked me personally, as while it’s got some creepy supernatural stuff, its also got a whole lot of REALISTIC NIGHTMARE FUEL, but I appreciate not everyone might have the same fear I have, damn it.

Like, getting trapped underground, and running out of air, and making your way in a place where the walls all look the same and your only option is to keep moving forward into God knows what.

And the worst? Those damn underwater tunnels, as if you thought a regular tunnel was bad, imagine one where you also have to hold your breath.

At that point, just kill me, because I’d rather take my chances with the demon.

But anyway, I really enjoyed As Above, So Below, well, “enjoyed” might be the wrong word, but I survived the movie and it did exactly what it was meant to do.

It was incredibly tense with a fantastic unsettling atmosphere, and I loved the lore around the film too, and it’s a film I would recommend, because if I had to suffer, so do you.

But even if you aren’t like me, the film is pretty well done and I think we have a lot to like here, and it is a film that has stuck with me since I first watched it, and it never gets better on a re-watch either.

It does something clever in the found footage genre too as it attempts to really mess with your head – Oh, you think ghosts and demons are scary? Try being trapped underground with no way out while your own brain turns against you.

It’s a film that makes you feel that claustrophobic fear of being trapped, and sometimes the scariest place to be trapped is inside your own head like a psychological gut punch.

Fun fact about the film:

With permission from the French authorities, the film was shot in the real catacombs of Paris, making it the first film to get permission to shoot in the off-limits area. There was very little use of props, as the actors had to use the environment around them.

The film does have very low scores on Rotten Tomatoes, with a 29% critics score and 41% users score, and while I appreciate not everyone has the same fear as me as explained above, it boggles my mind it is rated so low, even if found footage horror films don’t get much love anyway, though on IMDB it is higher at 6.3.

Fuck Rotten Tomatoes.

Good Points

Claustrophobic as Hell: It totally nails the claustrophobic feeling, and if you’ve ever felt trapped in a tight spot, this movie will have you sweating, as it mixes physical fear with psychological terror.

Immersive: You feel like you are actually in the film with the characters, feeling all the fear they have, and the found footage style really adds to it all.

Great Visuals: The imagery and the catacombs is very haunting, and the movie knows how to create a mood and stick with it.

Bad Points

Lack of Character Development: The characters are decent, but we don’t really get them, and more could have been done in that regard.

It Can Drag At Times: Not a major issue, but the film can drag at times and not move forward quickly enough.

Is It Worth Watching?

Yeah, I’d say so, if you’re into horror that messes with your head, then As Above, So Below is definitely worth checking out, and If you’re into psychological horror and claustrophobic thrills, this movie will give you exactly what you’re after.

As Above, So Below On IMDB

Where To Watch

Apple TV
Amazon Video

Director and Cast

Director – John Erick Dowdle

Main Cast – Perdita Weeks, Ben Feldman, Edwin Hodge, François Civil, Marion Lambert, and Ali Marhyar.