The Descent came back to cinemas for its 20th Anniversary, but also made for my first-ever viewing of this film, from Neil Marshall, the director of Dog Soldiers, which I also didn’t see for some time, until its 4K release, which marked its own 20th Anniversary.
It’s one of those films that has to make us feel sorry for the lead character’s pain, thus an early car accident kills off Sarah’s (Shauna Macdonald – Mayflies) husband and daughter. Thus, a year later, she’s going on a potholing trip in the Appalachian Mountains with her girly friends into, what Juno (Natalie Mendoza – McDonald & Dodds) eventually spills the beans to be, turns out as an uncharted set of caves. So, if you get stuck, you have bugger all chance of the ambulance crew getting to you…
…and then someone gets stuck!
I don’t get claustrophic in real life, but I would if I was deep underground, trying to shift through very tight spaces, many metres underground, and where somehow, the only way out is down!
However, if there’s never been anyone down there before, who’s responsible for the cave drawings that they come across down there?
And is Natalie Mendoza still as stunning 20 years on? The answer to the latter is yes, but I’ll keep schtum about the former.
That’s because while The Descent has just reached its 20th Anniversary, and despite not being a new film, I still won’t give spoilers because I had no idea what to expect, and it’s best if you don’t know too much, but it’s safe to quote Bill Paxton from Aliens, “There’s something moving, and it ain’t us!”
NOTE: There’s no mid- or post-credits scenes.
The Descent‘s 20th Anniversary is in cinemas now, and is available to buy on Blu-ray and DVD.
Detailed specs:
Cert: 
Running time: 99 minutes
Release date: October 24th 2025 (20th Anniversary)
Studio: Pathe UK
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1 (Super 35)
Cinema: Odeon Trafford Centre
Rating: 3/10
Director: Neil Marshall
Producers Christian Colson
Screenplay: Neil Marshall
Music: David Julyan
Cast:
Sarah: Shauna Macdonald
Juno: Natalie Mendoza
Beth: Alex Reid
Rebecca: Saskia Mulder
Sam: MyAnna Buring
Holly: Nora-Jane Noone
Paul: Oliver Milburn
Jessica: Molly Kayll
Reviewer of movies, videogames and music since 1994. Aortic valve operation survivor from the same year. Running DVDfever.co.uk since 2000. Nobel Peace Prize winner 2021.