There's something about caves that set all of my alarm bells ringing. Tight spaces, true darkness, and no real idea of what lingers within has left me with a healthy fear of going underground. Spelunking might be a hobby for some, but for me it's true nightmare fuel, and that was only exacerbated by one of my favorite horror flicks.
When a group of friends goes exploring a local cave system, they're prepared for the claustrophobia of tons of rock pressing down around them, but not for the devilish monsters hiding within dark tunnels.
The Descent is a 2006 horror film you can watch for free with a Prime Video subscription. A cult classic infused with hints of terror in every frame, this movie has struck fear into the hearts of audiences for nearly 20 years.
I've been a fan of horror movies since the 1980s, starting with classics like Pumpkinhead. Over time, I've found some that I keep coming back to, even when I know how they're going to end. The Descent is absolutely one of them.
The Descent delivers a stifling, dread-filled experience. If you don't like tight spaces, it's even worse. Every time I watch, the deadly disaster has me covering my eyes and screaming as events spiral out of control.
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The movie starts at the conclusion of a whitewater rafting trip, where six women have been bonding and having a great time. On the drive home, the lead character, Sarah, loses her husband and their daughter in a car accident that shatters her world. That tragedy sets the tone for the entire movie, warning viewers that things are only going to get worse.
What starts as a fun friends' adventure quickly dissolves into madness and terror. Celador Films/Pathé Distribution
A year after the deadly car crash, the six friends reunite for another adventure. Their plan is to spend a day exploring in a North Carolina cave system in the Appalachian Mountains. Things start off fine, but then Sarah becomes stuck in a particularly narrow passage. She manages to squirm through, but a rockfall behind her leaves all of the women trapped deep underground with no idea how to get out.
One of the friends, Juno, then admits that they're not in the exact cave system she'd reported to local authorities, but instead in a never-before-explored section. They're entirely on their own, with no hope of help.
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