This 12-Year-Old Found Footage Horror Movie Is Entertaining From Start To Finish

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It’s easy to always mention The Blair Witch Project when talking about found-footage films, and while it was groundbreaking for its time, the genre wouldn’t be what it is today without it. The 1990s horror movie essentially created the foundation for found-footage filmmaking through its innovative marketing and realistic special effects.

Found-footage horror films became popular after audiences thought the events in The Blair Witch Project were real. The way these movies are filmed, from the character’s point of view, makes viewers feel like they’re experiencing the scary events firsthand, often putting them right in the middle of the danger. But after The Blair Witch Project, some found-footage films started showing a character holding the camera, rather than it simply being a recording of events.

While it can pull you out of the story by reminding you it’s a movie, this technique actually strengthens the feeling that what you’re watching really happened. Some found-footage horror films might be better as traditional movies, but the first-person camera effects often make the genre more effective, even if other parts of the film aren’t perfect.

As Above, So Below Has A Classic Found Footage Premise

The 2014 film As Above, So Below, directed by John Erick Dowdle, centers around a team exploring the catacombs beneath Paris in a quest for the legendary Philosopher’s Stone. The group is led by Scarlett (Perdita Weeks), who is following in the footsteps of her father, a lifelong researcher of the Stone. Joining her are her friend Benji (Edwin Hodge), who documents their journey with a camera, and George (Ben Feldman), a frequent companion.

Scarlett teams up with three Parisians ā€“ Papillon, Souxie, and Zed ā€“ by promising them a share of any treasure they find. This sets up a classic adventure story where a group of eager explorers head into dangerous territory, despite knowing they probably shouldn’t. George, however, isn’t thrilled about joining the expedition.

The movie As Above, So Below immediately pulls you in with a fast-paced opening scene filmed from the main character Scarlettā€™s point of view. Although a lot of backstory is revealed right after the opening, the exciting start keeps you hooked and eager to follow Scarlettā€™s journey to the very end.

The Movie’s Mythological References Add Intrigue

Image courtesy of Everett Collection

While the writing in As Above, So Below isnā€™t perfect, the fast-moving plot makes it easy to overlook the issues. The story has some intriguing elements that hold your attention, even if they arenā€™t deeply developed. The film is inspired by Danteā€™s Inferno, but it doesnā€™t constantly point out this connection.

The film smartly lets the audience piece things together themselves, building suspense before confirming what they suspect. Itā€™s also filled with enjoyable allusions to literature and mythology, and, much like great horror movies, the characters discover things at their own pace. This keeps you guessing and fully engaged, because you experience each revelation right alongside them.

Special Effects Make As Above, So Below Immersive Throughout

The climax of As Above, So Below depicts a vividly detailed and frightening version of Hell, brought to life through impressive work by the filmā€™s makeup, costume, and production crews. The movie uses disturbing imagery to show each character facing and re-experiencing their most painful memories. Each character is haunted by the ghost of someone they caused to die, who appears to torment and attack them.

The special effects in these scenes are truly impressive. Great found-footage horror films build a sense of dread, and As Above, So Below excels at this through its sound and visuals. The movie makes the Paris catacombs feel even more terrifying and confining than they already are, keeping you on edge throughout its entire length.

Its Lack of Logic Doesn’t Hurt Its Entertainment Value

Horror movies are full of silly mistakes, and As Above, So Below feels like it collects almost all of them. But surprisingly, this just makes the movie more fun ā€“ some of the characters make decisions that are so unbelievably foolish, they’re actually funny.

The film isn’t just flawed in its character development; the plot has several holes, and some of the reasoning feels forced. Despite these issues, strong performances and consistently silly characters manage to keep you engaged until the very end, culminating in a truly fantastic and memorable horror scene.

As Above, So Below Should Be Rated Higher

Despite a low 29% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the negative criticism surrounding As Above, So Below seems overblown. This is likely due to the fact that the found-footage horror style had become overused by the mid-2010s ā€“ many films had already copied The Blair Witch Project ā€“ as much as it’s due to the movie’s own flaws, like a confusing plot, weak characters, and reliance on tired horror tropes.

Despite receiving negative reviews, the horror film As Above, So Below has become popular with horror fans, who consider it a cult classic that deserves more attention. Its exploration of the Paris catacombs, use of mythology, and occasional effective scares have contributed to its cult following. Currently, it has an average rating of 3.27 on Letterboxd.

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2026-02-04 04:31