'As Above/So Below': Movie Review
'Wow, somebody should make a horror movie here!'
Who hasn't had that thought that while visiting some eerie far-flung locale? Well, one of the world's top disturbing tourist attractions is now finally getting the spooky film it deserves with 'As Above/So Below.'
Lurking within a secret chamber in the Paris catacombs is the legendary Philosopher's Stone - at least that's what Scarlett (Perdita Weeks) thinks. Despite her youthful appearance she's got multiple Ph.Ds to back up her claim.
With her cameraman Benji (Edwin Hodge), eccentric genius pal George ('Mad Men''s Ben Feldman) and some local French urban spelunkers in tow, 'As Above/So Below' segues from decoding museum pieces 'Angels and Demons'-style to 'The Descent' as Scarlett's crew burrows beneath the city to provoke supernatural doom.
Director John Erick Dowdle revisits the found footage technique of his earlier 'Quarantine,' and those who suffer from claustrophobia will likely have a rough time with this movie. There's bone dust in every frame and as increasingly strange things happen the panic builds.
While the story eventually descends into crypto-superstitious hooey, the haunted house angle is quite effective. Many of the jump-scares are terrifying and the mounting dread works due to basic discomfort from the premise.
The movie goes easy on the gore, taking advantage of the underground setting to squeeze more horror out of what you don't see.
It's also nice to watch a woman lead character in this genre that isn't reduced to being a scream queen.ON A MOBILE DEVICE? CLICK HERE TO SEE TRAILER
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