Surprised how reviews depict this film as a decent horror film as best. I love the vibe at the beginning but it drags on a bit while the movie build up its main character and her goals along with her as a character.
When the film picks up speed, it becomes quite fascinating to view even though it manages to keep viewers engaged even through its introduction. Great acting and I love the way they chose to present it to us as a found footage film and also how the found footage was done.
!!Slight spoilers ahead!!
Oddly not mad that a few characters survived. It's gnarly and quite heavily packed in the latter parts while the exploration middle section was just gradually gaining speed. I love the implications of the film. The character realize at what felt like a time too late that— in order to gain that which they desire, they have to give up that which their obsession lies; to conquer fear, they have to consume it.
As Above, So Below is such a powerful title with even more powerful meaning. "What's inside of me is also outside and around me" I quote vaguely via memory from the character. As they entered hell, the past they held close to themselves and the truth of it becomes their hell. It becomes physical manifestation that cause not only emotional harm but also physical past the gates.
But, to me, it also appeared that As Above (On Earth), So Below (In Hell). What hurt the characters the most and shaped them to who they are in the film was reflected in some distorted fashion in hell. The character touched on this but in a As Above (Heaven), So Below (On Earth). All things are connected, our heavens and hells are a part of us and that which we endured on Earth.
In the end, their realization were not too late and that all things in hell are distorted and flipped. So, to acquire, they have to surrender; to conquer, they have consume; to leave, they have to sink further below.
It gives off a very Creep (2014) x Terrifier 2 vibe for me. Both of which I thoroughly enjoyed and the former's even my favourite horror film, before this film that is.
The way the main character, upon realization on what she needed to do, all the physical manifestation of hell became nothing to her and she also basically became super overpowered by quite literally becoming that which she had been searching for which is very Terrifier 2.
Moreover, I'm not mad about the boiling tension between the main character and George in which led to their later confession in hell right before he faces death.
Overall 10/10. Would definitely recommend to horror buffs and I will be judging others based on their opinion regarding this film from now on.