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Movies / On DVD / The Descent
The Descent

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The Descent (2006)

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Reviews Counted:159

Fresh:134

Rotten:25

Average Rating:7.3/10

Consensus: Deft direction and strong performances from its all-female cast guide The Descent, a riveting, claustrophobic horror film. In this low-budget import from Scotland, director Neil Marshall has masterfully created a spelunking nightmare, which doubles as a compelling meditation on morality, vengeance, and the depths to which we might go for survival.

Rated: 18 [See Full Rating] for strong violence/gore and language.

Runtime: 1 hr 39 mins

Genre: Action/Adventure

Theatrical Release:08-07-2005

Synopsis: THE DESCENT is Neil Marshall’s hotly anticipated follow up to his 2002 hit DOG SOLDIERS. Directed by Marshall from his own script, it tells the story of an all-female caving expedition that goes... THE DESCENT is Neil Marshall’s hotly anticipated follow up to his 2002 hit DOG SOLDIERS. Directed by Marshall from his own script, it tells the story of an all-female caving expedition that goes horribly wrong, and stars Shauna Macdonald, Natalie Mendoza, Alex Reid, Saskia Mulder, Nora-Jane Noone and Myanna Buring. Set in a cave system deep in the Appalachian Mountains, Marshall describes his film as ‘DELIVERANCE goes underground’. On a daredevil caving holiday, six women friends are unexpectedly trapped underground when a rock fall blocks their exit. Searching the maze of tunnels for a way out, they find themselves hunted by a race of fearless, hungry predators, once humanoid but now monstrously adapted to live in the dark… As the others battle for their lives, Sarah (Macdonald), still recovering from a mental collapse brought on by the recent deaths of her family, is fighting for her sanity. When old secrets are revealed, the friends turn on one another, causing the group to implode. Betrayed and desperate, Sarah realizes that to make it back to the surface, she must become as savage as the creatures themselves. THE DESCENT was filmed on location in Scotland and at Pinewood Studios from December 2004 to February 2005, and was fully financed and produced by Celador Films. Celador’s Paul Smith is executive producer and Christian Colson is producer. The film reunites Marshall with DOG SOLDIERS’ director of photography, Sam McCurdy, and production designer, Simon Bowles. Celador’s previous credits include the Oscar-nominated DIRTY PRETTY THINGS. THE DESCENT movie has already had a hugely successful release both critically and commercially in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, and Italy. In September, 2005 the film took the top competition prize -- the Méliès d’Argent -- for Euro feature at Lund International Fantastic Film Festival in Sweden, and in November, Neil Marshall won Best Director and the film Best Technical Achievement (for the Editing) at the British Independent Films Awards (BIFA's) (THE DESCENT was nominated for Best Film). It has also been nominated for Best British Film, Best British Director and Best British Producer by the London Film Critics Circle (the winners are announced in February), an unheard of achievement for a genre piece. --© Lionsgate Films [More]

Starring: Shauna MacDonald, Natalie Mendoza, Alex Reid, Saskia Mulder

Starring: Shauna MacDonald, Natalie Mendoza, Alex Reid, Saskia Mulder, Nora-Jane Noone, MyAnna Buring, Oliver Milburn, Molly Kayll

Director: Neil Marshall

Director: Neil Marshall
Producer: Christian Colson
Screenwriter: Neil Marshall
Composer: David Julyan
Studio: Lions Gate Films

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Reviews for The Descent

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141 - 160 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

Relentlessly intense from first frame to last, this is a movie for viewers who felt that Tarantino's Kill Bill needed more blood and that the torture scenes in Hostel were too toned down.

Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com | comment Comment
08/02/06
Emanuel Levy
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

Not since John Sayles and Joe Dante unleashed Piranha and The Howling on Hollywood's New Morning have two features torn open the horror movie with the cut-rate ferocity and gleeful disreputability of [Neil] Marshall's Dog Soldiers and The Descent.

Full Review Source: Village Voice | comment Comment
08/02/06
Rob Nelson
Rob Nelson
Village Voice

The Descent is horror in its most evolved state, descending the viewer into the darkest pits of terror.

Full Review Source: ComingSoon.net | comment Comment
08/02/06
Edward Douglas
Edward Douglas
ComingSoon.net

One of the scariest horror movies of the past 20 years. Would do Wes Craven, George A. Romero and James Whale proud.

Full Review Source: Juicy Cerebellum | comment Comment
08/02/06
Alex Sandell
Alex Sandell
Juicy Cerebellum

For horror fans and those who love things that go bump in the night, this is one not to miss.

Full Review Source: ReelViews | comment Comment
08/01/06
James Berardinelli
James Berardinelli
ReelViews

This may have an all-female cast but the visually stunning blood-and-gore horror tale is anything but a chick-flick.

Full Review Source: Compuserve | comment Comment
07/31/06
Harvey S. Karten
Harvey S. Karten
Compuserve

"The Descent" succeeds thoroughly as a horror film, based on the filmmakers' diligent attention to fundamental genre elements.

Full Review Source: ColeSmithey.com | comment Comment
07/29/06
Cole Smithey
Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com

A harrowing, brutal piece of work -- my hand was over my mouth for the last 30 minutes, lest I scream like a little girl on fire. Not to be missed.

Full Review Source: Freeze Dried Movies | comment Comment
07/28/06
Brian Juergens
Brian Juergens
Freeze Dried Movies

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Scott Mantz' Movie Reviews | comment Comment
07/28/06
Scott A. Mantz
Scott A. Mantz
Scott Mantz' Movie Reviews

Descent is everything The Cave wasn't: edge-of-your-seat terrifying, atmospheric, and frightfully inventive.

Full Review Source: FilmJerk.com | comment Comment
07/28/06
Brian Orndorf
Brian Orndorf
FilmJerk.com

One of the most physically demanding and dramatically rewarding examples of the genre since Saw.

Full Review Source: Cinema Signals | comment Comment
07/18/06
Jules Brenner
Jules Brenner
Cinema Signals

Essentially a more grave, and less unintentionally hilarious, version of The Cave.

Full Review Source: Lessons of Darkness | comment Comment
07/17/06
Nick Schager
Nick Schager
Lessons of Darkness

The Descent pulls you down into a dark nightmare and doesn't let you come up for air until the end-credits roll.

Full Review Source: About.com | comment Comment
07/12/06
Staci Layne Wilson
Staci Layne Wilson
About.com

Neil Marshall's creepfest may see more feminist deconstruction than the original Alien, contemplation the film's unthinkingly slick surface invites but doesn't merit.

Full Review Source: Slant Magazine | comment Comment
05/05/06
Ed Gonzalez
Ed Gonzalez
Slant Magazine

The Descent is very simply the scariest film I've seen in years.

Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | comment Comment
04/27/06
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid

The most effective cinematic chiller since "Alien". * * * *

Full Review Source: Moviehole | comment Comment
04/15/06
Clint Morris
Clint Morris
Moviehole

[W]ill inspire boys and girls who like the genre even though it could be read as a tale about the battle between the sexes.

Full Review Source: european-films.net | comment Comment
03/27/06
Boyd van Hoeij
Boyd van Hoeij
european-films.net

Bring a change of pants, because this one's a soiler.

Full Review Source: EricDSnider.com | comment 1 Comment
02/18/06
Eric D. Snider
Eric D. Snider
EricDSnider.com

...genuinely frightening...

Full Review Source: Reel Film Reviews | comment Comment
01/01/06
David Nusair
David Nusair
Reel Film Reviews

Packed with slick surprises, jarring jolts, gruesome gore, and unbearable tension, The Descent is one of the best horror films of the past several years.

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
08/28/05
Scott Weinberg
Scott Weinberg
eFilmCritic.com
 
 
141 - 160 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 >> >|
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Latest News for The Descent

June 12, 2009: Neil Marshall in Talks for New Predator? Opens in new window
According to Bloody Disgusting, you'll never guess who's in talks to direct the new "Predator" movie...unless you guess Neil Marshall ("The Descent"). More...

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George Clooney, the Mayor McCheese of Hollywood, leaves behind Oscar season and returns to the big screen with lighter fare with the period sports comedy Leatherheads. More...

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