The Descent

In 2003, six women disappeared in the Appalachian Mountains while on a caving expedition. In 2005 their footage was found. That’s the tagline you didn’t see on this film, but easily could have. Nor is there any “based on real events” caption at the beginning, possibly a choice by director Neil Marshall to avoid accusations of exploiting his subject matter. But there is another, darker theory: that Marshall was pressured by the American government to present the film as entirely fictional, and to keep silent about what he knew.

Twenty years ago, Neil Marshall’s film, The Descent was released, building on the success and praise of his previous movie, Dog Soldiers. "This is the fresh, exciting summer movie I've been wanting for months. Or for years, it seems,”said Jim Emerson, reviewing on behalf of Roger Ebert for the Chicago-Sun Tribune. Now, author, Kate Probert pulls on her safety gear and descends into the darkness, to explore what made the film such a thrilling, perfect horror movie.