The only drawback is that 'The Descent' has different ending depending on which territory you're in. The plot and dialogue are as tight as the crevasses the hapless cave explorers have to squeeze through, and the movie properly taps into our fear of the unknown. With well-defined characters and motivations that aren't as obvious as they first seem, 'The Descent' is a masterclass in building tension even before we get a glimpse of the beasts. It turns out that I have an overwhelming phobia of ravenous, blind, cave-dwelling humanoids as well, so this film is basically custom-engineered to trigger my fight-or-flight response. To this particular claustrophobe, 'The Descent' is an exercise in terror from the moment they first enter the cave.
Horror works best when it prays on your fears.
