Every Horror Fan Must Watch This Forgotten Found Footage Film That’s a Secret Masterpiece 11 Years Later

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Found footage horror films always seem to split audiences – people either love the shaky, realistic style or they really don’t. With so many of these films being made, it’s easy for some to get lost. As Above, So Below, released in 2014, is one of those often-forgotten movies, initially dismissed by reviewers. Interestingly, despite coming out when found footage horror was becoming less popular, the film did well in theaters. Made on a small $5 million budget, it earned nearly $42 million worldwide – a good return on investment. That’s a benefit of this type of filmmaking, as these films are usually relatively inexpensive to produce.

Although the movie initially earned a reasonable profit, it received mostly unenthusiastic reviews when it was released for streaming. The mid-2000s were full of popular found-footage films like Paranormal Activity, and audiences were starting to grow tired of the genre, making it hard for new films to stand out. Over time, however, As Above, So Below has gained a better reputation. Now, eleven years later, people are starting to appreciate the movie’s original and thought-provoking story. It’s unique because of its interesting location and blend of psychological horror and symbolism, setting it apart from other found-footage films of that era. Looking back, it’s a film that dared to be different within the genre and makes for a great watch as Halloween approaches.

As Above, So Below Takes Found Footage Underground

The movie As Above, So Below, directed by John Erick Dowdle, begins with Scarlett Marlowe (played by Perdita Weeks) exploring caves in Iran. She’s searching for the Rose Key, an artifact her late father, an alchemy professor obsessed with finding the Philosopher’s Stone, had dedicated his life to locating. Driven by both academic interest and a personal connection to her father’s work, Scarlett believes the Rose Key will help her decipher an alchemical code leading to the Stone. After finding the key, the cave starts to crumble, and she narrowly escapes. She then takes the Rose Key to Paris, hoping her old friend George (played by Ben Feldman) can translate it.

After cracking the code, George and Scarlett discover the stone is hidden deep within the Paris catacombs. To help them navigate the restricted sections, Scarlett hires a team of experienced explorers to guide them. Along with camera operator Benji, the group enters the catacombs, fully equipped and ready to begin their search. This is where the movie As Above, So Below sets itself apart from most other found-footage horror films.

While some horror films build tension by showing small problems grow into big ones, V/H/S delivered quick, shocking scares through its found footage style. As Above, So Below, however, aims for a deeper, more unsettling fear. What starts as a search for treasure soon becomes a terrifying journey filled with strange and mysterious symbols. The film makes excellent use of the Paris catacombs early on, and importantly, this isn’t just a generic haunted place – it’s a real location with a history and its own eerie stories.

The film initially feels like other found footage movies, such as The Blair Witch Project. It follows a group of friends who explore a mysterious and possibly haunted location, recording everything as they go. However, As Above, So Below quickly sets itself apart. While it starts with a familiar setup, the setting moves from tight tunnels to ancient tombs and ultimately, to a depiction of Hell itself. The scares aren’t simple jump scares; the group’s journey down into the earth is also a symbolic exploration of their own personal guilt and fears. The film takes elements from earlier found footage movies but adds its own unique style, creating a descent into both a physical and psychological underworld beneath Paris.

The horror in As Above, So Below is particularly effective because it comes from both the frightening situations the characters face and their own inner demons. While some critics initially found the film’s symbolism confusing, fans now appreciate its bold storytelling choices. As horror master Wes Craven observed, horror movies don’t create fear, they unlock it, and this film does exactly that. As Above, So Below suggests that the most terrifying things are often the burdens we carry within ourselves. The tight, dark catacombs create a sense of unease for both the characters and the viewers, but each person is also haunted by their own personal issues, which the environment gradually exposes. The psychological horror is just as impactful as the scares provided by the setting itself.

As Above, So Below Uses Its Characters’ Flaws to Create Horror

The Paris catacombs are naturally frightening, but the movie As Above, So Below goes further by making the horror deeply personal. The catacombs don’t just scare the explorers—they force each character to confront their own painful pasts and inner demons. The labyrinth of bones becomes a reflection of their memories and regrets, almost as if the catacombs themselves are judging them. This creates a uniquely intimate and relatable terror, because everyone can understand the fear of being forced to remember things they’d rather leave buried.

The core of the movie As Above, So Below is Scarlett’s personal battle with her past. While she appears to be a determined explorer – similar to Indiana Jones – driven by a thirst for knowledge, her true motivation is much deeper. She’s determined to finish her father’s lifelong quest for the Philosopher’s Stone. However, beneath her ambition lies significant guilt and sorrow. Her father’s colleagues believed his obsession with the legend led to his mental decline and ultimately, his suicide. After his death, Scarlett took on his pain and felt responsible for his perceived failures.

Initially, she frames her quest for the stone as a purely scholarly pursuit, but the dangerous catacombs reveal the truth: it’s deeply personal. She’s motivated by a need to validate her father’s life work and overcome the guilt she feels for being the sole survivor of a past tragedy. Throughout the film, particularly in her conversations with her colleague George, it becomes clear that she has a history of taking risks on expeditions, often putting others at risk. Inside the catacombs, she’s forced to acknowledge the destructive nature of her obsession and realize she’s using her drive to hide her sorrow. While she does ultimately find the stone, its significance isn’t what she anticipated.

Scarlett’s partner, George, is also haunted by a painful past. Years ago, his younger brother tragically drowned, and George has never recovered from the guilt. Unlike Scarlett, who throws herself into her work, George tries to suppress his grief entirely. However, the catacombs force him to confront this buried trauma. This film excels at making each character face their deepest fears, bringing internal struggles to life in the terrifying environment of the catacombs. Just like Scarlett, everyone on the expedition must grapple with their personal demons as they become frighteningly real.

As Above, So Below In an Underrated Found Footage Masterpiece

Despite not being immediately popular, As Above, So Below has gained a following over time. One of the film’s strengths is how convincingly it creates a sense of being there. The filmmakers went to extraordinary lengths, securing permission from French authorities to film in the actual Paris catacombs – even in areas normally closed to the public. The cast and crew often filmed using only the characters’ headlamps, and the scenes of explorers walking through water in the dark were filmed in genuinely dark and wet conditions, creating a very real experience.

The movie cleverly uses a location steeped in real history to build its horror, making the supernatural events feel more believable. It draws you in with both the frightening environment and the characters’ personal battles. The film’s visuals and storytelling work together to create terror that affects you on many levels. While many found footage horror films are low-quality copies, As Above, So Below revitalizes the genre with its unique approach.

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2025-10-26 06:43