The Descent 🔦
Happy Monday! I hope you had a great weekend.
Today’s movie is The Descent (2005), streaming on Hulu and Prime Video, an adventure horror-thriller that is perfect for any Alien eggheads (is that the fandom name?). For those of you that can’t handle the scares, Thursday’s movie will be a horror-free. In the meantime, check out every movie I’ve ever recommended right here. Don’t forget to subscribe:
Here’s what it’s about: A year after a tragic accident, Sarah (Shauna Macdonald) reunites with five friends, including her best friend — former? — Juno (Natalie Mendoza), for a spelunking adventure in the Appalachian mountains. However, after disaster strikes, they’re forced to find their way through an unchartered cavern where unimaginable horrors await them. [Trailer // 111 mins]
Why you should watch it: The Descent is a movie you can tell was made by a movie-lover. The list of classic cinema that influenced director Neill Marshall is seemingly endless. The movie’s tone combines the claustrophobia of Alien with the searing suspense of Jaws while the story takes beats from The Thing and Deliverance with action akin to the brutality of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
However, Marshall isn’t out to recreate any of those films, the result is something singular. The movie unfolds in a satisfying slow-burn that makes you feel uneasy until it takes that anxiety and turns it into pure nightmare fuel by making your worst fears real.
Note: Both Hulu and Prime Video use the U.S. version of the ending. I greatly prefer the original version, which you can watch here.
📺 Buy or Rent: Prime Video | iTunes | YouTube
Pair it with 🍷
The Ritual (dir. David Bruckner): A group of college friends gathers for a trip to the remote Swedish forest after losing someone close to them. However, after losing their way, they realize that something may be following them.
One trailer you should watch 📺
As I mentioned last week, Spike Lee’s latest project Da 5 Bloods will be released exclusively to Netflix on June 12—setting itself up for a potentially history-making Oscar run. The movie stars Chadwick Boseman, Jonathan Majors, Paul Walter Hauser, Delroy Lindo, and Clarke Peters.
Here’s what it’s about: “Four African American Vietnam veterans return to Vietnam. They are in search of the remains of their fallen squad leader and the promise of buried treasure. These heroes battle forces of humanity and nature while confronted by the lasting ravages of the immorality of the Vietnam War.”
Take care of each other and stay safe.
See you Monday —
Karl (@karl_delo)