The Descent That Didn’t Quite Terrify: A Review of “As Above, So Below”
“As Above, So Below” had the potential for a wildly entertaining adventure, think Dan Brown meets the underworld. Sadly, the film takes a sharp turn into horror territory, ultimately undermining its initial charm. Instead of suspense, the supposed scares are more likely to provoke laughter than genuine fear.
The Philosopher’s Stone Quest: A Promising Start
The narrative centers around Scarlett, an intrepid and brilliant young woman driven by a singular obsession: to uncover the legendary Philosopher’s Stone. With her multifaceted expertise in archaeology, chemistry, cryptology, and ancient languages, Scarlett chases every lead, no matter how faint, with unyielding determination. She’s willing to break laws, risk her life, and perform unbelievable stunts. When a clue lures her to the infamous Paris catacombs. Scarlett, accompanied by two trusted companions and three local guides, ventures headfirst into the labyrinthine depths beneath the French capital. Legend has it that the Philosopher’s Stone lies precisely at the midpoint between our world and hell, a proximity that inevitably takes its toll on the group.
Scarlett embarks on a perilous journey into the depths of the Paris Catacombs.
The Catacombs: A Labyrinth of Bones and Stories
The Paris catacombs hold a chilling historical record: the remains of over six million souls, a number that dwarfs the city’s current living population. These extensive underground corridors possess an undeniable allure. Rivalling iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral, the catacombs attract tourists and thrill-seekers eager to explore its secrets, unexpected dead ends, and hidden tunnels.
The eerie beauty of the Paris Catacombs proves to be a compelling backdrop, initially.
A Promising Start, Derailed by Horror Tropes:
While the setting is undeniably captivating, an atmospheric backdrop alone isn’t enough to satisfy modern audiences. Viewers crave more than just dimly lit corridors and spooky skulls; they require a compelling story to maintain their interest. Unfortunately, this is where far too many horror films stumble, they lack the imaginative narrative or simply deem plot secondary to cheap thrills. In its initial stages, “As Above, So Below” distinguishes itself from its peers. The first half unfolds as a mystical adventure reminiscent of “Indiana Jones”, “National Treasure,” “Lara Croft,” or "The Da Vinci Code”. rather than a run-of-the-mill horror flick. We are introduced to a young archaeologist on a mission to find a mysterious artifact, piecing together clues that promise untold wealth and even eternal life. Breaking the law, risking life and limb, and damaging historical monuments are considered acceptable costs in pursuit of her goals. This relentless adventurer is determined to uncover what the secrets hidden within the Paris catacombs.
Scarlett’s relentless determination drives her forward, but at what cost?
Lost in the Underworld: Logic Takes a Holiday
Sadly, the film takes a turn for the worse in its second half, as both the characters and the Plot descend into chaos. As the team delves deeper into the catacombs, the narrative’s logic and coherence evaporate, taking believability with them. While the deciphering of cryptic clues before entering the catacombs wasn’t necessarily scientific, any semblance of common sense is obliterated by the confined tunnels. The characters are unperturbed by the presence of Egyptian hieroglyphs and enigmatic riddles deep beneath the streets of Paris and they find nothing suspect about stumbling upon a digger who had been missing for years, alive and well within the labyrinth. Ordinary objects acquire inexplicable mystical properties, such as endless, self-replenishing ropes.
As the team ventures deeper, the logic unravels, replaced by bizarre and illogical events.
Descent into Absurdity: A Cinematic Freefall
Regrettably, the initial mystical misadventures are not the nadir of the film’s issues with tone and narrative. “As Above, So Below” descends into utter absurdity by its conclusion. Satanists appear and disappear without explanation, demons are seemingly embedded in the walls and mysterious priests in long black robes complete with pointed hoods materialize out of nowhere. It’s a hodgepodge of tired underworld mythology tropes. At one point, the viewers even get sucked into a first-person perspective, mirroring a shooter PC game.
The film veers into absurd territory, losing touch with the promising premise it once had.
Lacking a Coherent Vision
Much like genuinely great movies possess unique qualities that set them apart, too many mediocre films within this horror genre share a common flaw: despite starting with a promising premise, the filmmakers ultimately lack a coherent vision or a clear sense of the kind of closure their macabre story should have. “As Above, So Below” serves as the perfect example of such a film devoid of resolution. The lack of good conclusion doesn’t necessarily set up a sequel but shows either that no one escapes from the catacombs at all, or the survivors are just plain lucky.
Ultimately, “As Above, So Below” squanders its rich setting and intriguing premise, collapsing under the weight of its narrative incoherence and reliance on tired horror tropes. It’s a case of wasted potential, leaving viewers with a disappointing and ultimately forgettable experience.