The Dark Below (2015) Reviews

• Cool, Wordless, Survival Film

  StTerence2017-06-22

  Overall an excellent film for the survival genre. If you liked "Buried" or "127 Hours" then this film is probably right up your alley. The cinematography is beautiful and the score fantastic. There is a lot of use of slow motion which can be frustrating but it's generally used for an artistic purpose. Much of the film feels like a memory because of that and the cinematography. It's not a perfect film and there's a thing or two I would've done differently but I enjoyed watching and would watch it again.

• Original and Innovative

  gavin69422017-03-14

  A woman (Lauren Mae Shafer) struggles for survival beneath a frozen lake while a metrosexual killer (David G. B. Brown) stalks her from the surface and we slowly find out they are not strangers. The mad genius behind this film is writer-producer-director Douglas Schulze, who has been a rising force in the world of indie horror. But although we tend to associate a film mostly with the director, Jonathan D'Ambrosio really deserves as much credit for "Dark Below", with his serving as co-writer, editor and art / production design. His fingerprints are all over this one. The film has a slim cast, with the most notable name being Veronica Cartwright. The lead, Lauren Mae Shafer, may be building a reputation among horror fans with her roles in "Mimesis" (also from Douglas Schulze and co-starring Brown) and "Secrets in the Walls". A few others show up in flashbacks, but are really unimportant. Shafer virtually carries the entire film on her shoulders. The creators make a very bold decision going for the complete lack of dialogue, which makes it almost like watching a symphony rather than a film – this, in turn, makes it very much a showcase for composer David Bateman. The modern silent film, as well as the plot of using a woman's expert swimming abilities against her, are absolutely original. Originality is rare in any genre, but especially in horror. (Can we stop making zombie movies yet?) If any criticism could be thrown at the film, it would be to ask: did it need to be feature-length? Already very short by feature standards, it could have been a longer short film just as effectively. I suppose for marketing purposes, you would prefer to have the feature. Few theaters, at least outside of festivals, screen short films. (Maybe they should.) All in all, an original and innovative film. It may not appeal to all audiences, but those who want to see something different and who have a little patience (this is not a bloody slasher film) will be rewarded.

• Best is its short length

  iturbe8652015-09-09

  Just came out of the premiere in L'Etrange film festival, in Paris. The theater was full, promising plot, expectations high up. Yet, what a disappointment. I admit it is about an experimental thriller, and budget is rather tight, but at least you expect some sort of coherence in the story. The film is almost unspoken, so that the soundtrack takes over as a role play, although even the music is out of swing, off line. Plenty of details impossible to believe, like the tempos underwater without oxygen, long staying in freezing waters eyes wide open and yet no sign of damage or deep frozen fingers that can get cured miraculously overnight...film concept though is good, yet bad resolved. Just as well its 75 minutes length made it easier to go through.

• If You Can't Handle Tight, Dark Spaces, Don't Watch This!

  areneehunt2017-08-03

  There's a frigid game of cat and mouse that takes place, as you're introduced to a woman assaulted by a dangerous man. He's cold, uncaring and very methodical about his process, but it's what you're shown that makes the movie gripping. Without any words, other than three whispered in the very beginning, you are taken through every step that lead up to the attack. Douglas Schulze took an idea and made it a musical masterpiece. Through images and score, The Dark Below reveals a history of secrets, lies and a precarious obsession with water. You endure a voyeuristic fight for the heroine's life, while also finding yourself struck dumb, yet fascinated!. There was but one issue held with the movie and it has to do with icy waters. Sadly, details can't be provided without giving away spoilers, and that's not what I do. Just know that what is done cannot be undone, no matter how great the medical science. The movie is alluring, the story is fabulous and the thrills are very cool! (pun intended) The Dark Below releases later this year. Be sure to see it!

• Brief, but terrible, film.

  jmix662017-06-20

  Where to start? This resembles a bad television film more so than an actual feature. Thin plot, weak characterizations, no explanation of the characters motivations and minimal exposition.Toward the end of the film you start to realize what is occurring; however, by that point, you just don't care. Basically for nearly 90 minutes you watch characters who don't care about do things that don't make much sense. Coupled with the near total lack of logic in the plot, this film is like watching a documentary about a subject for which you have no interest. Bad film that can easily missed.