The Descent: Part 2 4K 2009

Most European horror films have always been distinguished by their unique atmosphere, narrative structure, and even, to some extent, their art-house quality. Examples of such films include *The Edge*, *28 Days Later*, and *The Descent*; however, the sequel to the latter, alas, cannot be classified as such a film. This sequel to the superb 2005 British horror film has completely lost the psychological depth that characterized the first installment, turning into a rather mediocre spectacle. The tension and suspense have been reduced to a minimum, and the gripping plot has given way to the characters’ aimless wandering through the dungeon. The somewhat revamped film crew turned out to be, for the most part, a team of misfits who were unable to write a coherent screenplay or direct the film competently.

Despite the ending of *The Descent*, its main character—Sarah—did manage to escape the cave, as shown at the beginning of *The Descent 2*; however, due to the shock she experienced, she has lost her memory. The local sheriff, having organized a rescue operation to search for Sarah’s friends, takes her along as well—so to speak, to better assess the situation. However, when another cave-in occurs, the hapless rescuers find themselves trapped in the caves. From there, the entire plot boils down to a clichéd game of tag where monsters chase people, whom the viewer has the “pleasure” of witnessing one by one. There’s not a shred of suspense or horror here—just the utterly mindless, absurd, and pointless running around that so many American horror films love to showcase. And the film itself, on the whole, has come to imitate the latest trends, which is obvious even to the untrained eye.

The silly script is somewhat redeemed by a fairly substantial amount of blood. Monsters brutally kill people, and people kill monsters. Teeth rip through necks, staining the caves with blood, while axes and other improvised weapons dismember the flesh. The main flaw here is that the monsters have become little more than expendable fodder to be endlessly sliced and diced. By the end of the film, you can’t help but wonder how three women manage to take on a whole horde of tough, powerful monsters.

Most of the film’s characters are utterly ordinary individuals whom the screenwriters were unable—or perhaps unwilling—to develop properly. While the first film was centered on the main heroine’s tragic story, the sequel is dominated by the mere fact of a failed search operation. Everything is simple; everything is superficial. Among the characters, the charismatic sheriff—portrayed as a relatively negative hero—stood out; the role was played by Gavin O’Herlihy.
The heroines, played by Shona McDonald and Natalie Jackson Mendoza, come across as much weaker than in *The Descent*, but nevertheless, they personally evoked some sympathy in me toward the end of the film.

As for *The Descent 2*, it ends in the most appalling way possible. The finale completely destroys any positive impression the film might have left. It’s a talentless and foolish movie that will most likely completely disappoint true fans of the first *The Descent*.