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As Above, So Below (2014) - Movie Review


This movie is about a search for the philosopher's stone and the horrors they face trying to get it.

The movie is shot in a found footage style manner with multiple camera perspective. These types of movies always have that introductory period where characters are introduced and are seen just going about their lives etc and almost always it's boring. This movie however did it in a different manner, using the plot to turn that period into a clue hunt of sorts, and it was interesting.

As most of the movie takes place underground, it had a nice dosage of claustrophobic feeling. Some scenes amplified the effect and were pretty tense. The horror aspect was wasn't that profound though. There were maybe a scene or two that actually gave me the creeps. I did, however, loved how it dealt with hell, was just refreshing and great to something different like this on a very common thing.

Perdita weeks, who acted as the main lead and the one who was after the philosopher's stone, was pretty good. I liked her, and it helped that she looks great. The main dude, who acted as the language expert and the love interest, was also nice. The rest of the cast was OK. In movie like these, you never care for the secondary cast as you know they're just there to be used for deaths.

The movie felt really interesting from the start and it kept that momentum until the final act, which sadly just kinda fell apart and felt too rushed. If they have kept it together here, this movie would have been a good watch overall. Also, there were some jump scares, surprise surprise, which just felt too lazy. I saw them coming a mile away. Stuff like this just ruins the creepy build up and atmosphere.

6.8/10
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