The Descent
Lions Gate Films | Release Date: August 4, 2006
8.5
USER SCORE
Universal acclaim based on 688 Ratings
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591
Mixed:
49
Negative:
48
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
8
JohnS.Aug 25, 2008
The Descent is the kind of movie that will see a fair share of play time on the Sci-Fi channel, but it was thrilling nevertheless.
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10
BenA.Dec 27, 2005
Absolutely brilliant. Tons of gore, great acting, great story...great everything! Top notch movie, highly recommended. Get ready to be scared!
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
andyw.Dec 26, 2006
I actually saw this a long time ago and the fact that I remember most of this genuinely terrifying film speaks for itself - especially in this current climate of instantly forgettable totally unoriginal 'horror' films. At a guess I I actually saw this a long time ago and the fact that I remember most of this genuinely terrifying film speaks for itself - especially in this current climate of instantly forgettable totally unoriginal 'horror' films. At a guess I would have to say those who claim this film to be 'boring' may well be a bunch of sugar-addicted 12-year-olds who require explosions and/or gratuitous nudity every 5 minutes in order to hold their feeble attention spans. This film works because of the constant cranking up of the tension not because of constant bangs and flashes.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
BBDec 26, 2006
Considering how awful this year was for horror.... This movie makes up for it. Best horror movie of 2006.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
7
evokingsMar 30, 2020
the descent is a pretty good action movie it's a good example of an all female lead cast done well, it does not attempt to make some BS political message like most all female lead movies these days, I appreciate the way they did it in thisthe descent is a pretty good action movie it's a good example of an all female lead cast done well, it does not attempt to make some BS political message like most all female lead movies these days, I appreciate the way they did it in this movie less arguing among real humans around me, the story is sort of meh but if you enjoyed the walking dead the survival aspect of the movie might appeal to you, it's not a masterpiece but I have seen worse mainstream movies for what it is, the acting is good and the props are good enough, however the only real issue with the movie is the back story is a little complicated and may have benefited from some light polishing, but overall it's a pretty descent lol i mean decent watch.… Expand
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8
eva3si0nJan 22, 2023
The Descent is a low-budget thriller with horror elements. With such a small budget, it's hard to expect anything good, or at least a Cave-level movie of the same year. But how unsatisfactory is The Descent in everything better than Cave. ButThe Descent is a low-budget thriller with horror elements. With such a small budget, it's hard to expect anything good, or at least a Cave-level movie of the same year. But how unsatisfactory is The Descent in everything better than Cave. But unless the cast in The Descent is not remarkable at all and that's it. The Descent is able to captivate the viewer for 100 minutes, which Cave did not succeed in my opinion. Yes, here everything is filmed simply and cheaply. But suspense is the most important thing? And here it is and is balanced throughout the film. I advise everyone to watch who is interested in the topic of speleology and thrillers with closed spaces. And I definitely advise you to watch 2 part. This most of it is only half the film.… Expand
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8
StarScream03Nov 26, 2019
A solid horror/action movie with an extremely satisfying blend of bloody violence and intense horror scenes, overall a very good movie and a very good concept, would recommend to anyone.
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8
LegitSaltSep 16, 2018
This movie gets off to a running start, with an engaging and unique opening, throwing the viewers immediately into the story and keying us that something is off. From here we get some decent world building and character development, althoughThis movie gets off to a running start, with an engaging and unique opening, throwing the viewers immediately into the story and keying us that something is off. From here we get some decent world building and character development, although it still seems quite forced. The cast had decided on spelunking as their yearly endeavor. As they are headed towards the cave they had picked out, some members of the party remark that this is not the correct path, it's too late, however, as it is only realized that this was the wrong cave after they had already entered. Despite this being revealed the girls are still coaxed into going deeper into this cave, that they now know is uncharted territory.
As they make their way down and out into the cave, the path behind the gets blocked off due to falling debris. Not long after this, they discover that this "uncharted" cave might not be so uncharted after all, since they find antiquated climbing gear tucked into the crevices of the cave's roof. At this point, they are running out of oxygen, and resources and the majority of the girls are scraped and/or exhausted. It doesn't help that they find a source that appears to be daylight, only for one of them to fall down a hole and break her leg. As the party descends to assist their fallen comrade, they start to hear noises emanating from the caverns that they, themselves, are now engulfed in. Soon after, they find what appears to be a neolithic map of the cave system etched into a wall, so they decide to split up to look for clues. At this point, they are starting to turn on one another, especially the mastermind of the operation, who was responsible for them being there in the first place, who is especially desperate to escape. It is here that the movie's monsters are introduced, these being the "crawlers", bat-like creatures with a bipedal figure, and sharp lusting teeth. The last third of the movie plays out extremely fast-paced and is most certainly engaging, with very iconic imagery. In the original cut, there were no survivors, all either being eaten or killed by one another, however for widespread release (American audiences), this was changed so that the protagonist escapes. The choreography is outstanding, and the effects and stage set was really believable, and the use of negative space really helped build the feeling of being both trapped and alone.
Despite this, the movie is not in any case flawless, the swarm of bats looked really fake as they flew from the cave. And quite a few things either felt like they happened for the convenience of the plot or just to generate a cheap scare. Logistically I am not sure why the crawlers don't feel the heat of the torch that our protagonist held mere inches away from.
I recommend this to any fan of horror, as it is certainly one of the best horror films of the decade. Overall, this is an engaging and almost palpably real experience, that I will definitely revisit.… Expand
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7
OphiriaFeb 18, 2019
A flawed but generally well made film consisting of beautifully imperfect characters and a gnarly, yet repetitive and predictable, creature feature. The effects in the film were low budget, but usually done well with little to no CGI. A filmA flawed but generally well made film consisting of beautifully imperfect characters and a gnarly, yet repetitive and predictable, creature feature. The effects in the film were low budget, but usually done well with little to no CGI. A film of this sort keeps a good tension; one that is rarely released due to the claustrophobic setting and plot. Some of the direction felt uneven and messy, with a “twist” near the end seeming extremely full of itself, but the well crafted characters and decent performances kept the film from collapsing. Overall, a decent, suspenseful horror flick with some enjoyably gruesome creature kills and an enjoyable-to-watch cast to tug them along.… Expand
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10
AlexKallinskyFeb 26, 2019
The Descent is a visceral, magnetic ride that grabs you from the opening scene. It uses a likable cast as well as very intense cinematography and direction to drag you into the caves with them.
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9
MichaelMenardAug 13, 2019
One of the greatest horror films ever made this small gem from England has stayed in my mind for well over ten years now. Tense, claustrophobic and atmospheric The Descent is top notch film making and all kudos must go to the excellent castOne of the greatest horror films ever made this small gem from England has stayed in my mind for well over ten years now. Tense, claustrophobic and atmospheric The Descent is top notch film making and all kudos must go to the excellent cast and crew who restore the faith in independent cinema. A gang of girls come together for an underground cave trek after a tragedy befalls a few of them. As they descend there is a sense of dread and the director so magnificently shows and makes us feel this. In the darkness with only bulbs and artificial lights one by one things start to go awry. I won't spoil this for the reader, but this is one of the most unique and original films I can think of. What happened to the director Neil Marshall after this I will never understand. But the Descent is a once in a lifetime fantastic filmmaking and he achieved that. Top cinema.(You will never go cave trekking after this).… Expand
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10
MAX4DNov 16, 2020
This masterpiece is a great work in this genre of horror*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
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9
Pluto744Jun 21, 2021
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9
AbolishAug 23, 2021
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7
InjuredDriverJul 22, 2022
This movie is pretty great. All the chicks kick ass. Has probably the best claustrophobia inducing scene in any movie.
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7
DunkaccinoNov 13, 2022
A sufficient horror movie, because it is so interestingly constructed, and Marshall has great talents.
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7
The_D4RknesSJun 29, 2022
Film flopped here in my city just because of the red filter and the lights used inside go cave but I liked the claustrophobic atmosphere
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