31 days of horror movies: As Above, So Below takes us to Hell and back

We enter the dark catacombs of Paris, decorated with the remains of over 6 million dead bodies. Through these historical halls, we find ourselves in the middle of something more frightening than we could have ever imagined. This, my friends, is As Above, So Below (2014) – a terrifying horror movie that will take you to Hell and back… literally.

As Above, So Below follows Scarlett,  an obsessive historian and alchemist whose main goal in life is to find the Philosopher’s Stone (which you may be familiar with through mythology… or Harry Potter). After discovering that the stone lies deep under the catacombs of Paris, Scarlett and her team trudge through the sacred tunnels to find themselves trapped in a disturbing otherworldly labyrinth.

“The only way out is down.”

Time for a quick lesson! Alchemy is the ancient art of science and philosophy that is based around creating a substance that can extend life. Basically, alchemy is centered around creating the Philosopher’s Stone. The Philosopher’s Stone was/is widely sought by alchemists for its ability to transform base metals into gold, cure diseases, and create immortality.

As Above, So Below is a movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Its a found footage film, one shot in a fairly clean and stable way, so those with motion sickness may still be able to enjoy it. I will say, though, that people with extreme claustrophobia may have a tough time with some parts of this movie.

“Abandon all hope, ye who enter here.”

As Above, So Below combines history and mythology to create a nail-biting experience that directly parallels Dante’s Inferno. For those unfamiliar, Inferno is the first part of a classic fourteenth century poem that follows Dante as he travels downwards through the nine circles of Hell. Dante wishes to find salvation, and so he must enter each circle of Hell and recognize his own sins to repent.

Minor spoilers:

So basically, As Above, So Below slowly turns the already terrifying catacombs into the nine circles of Hell. Needless to say, it gets scary. The scares aren’t arbitrary, which I really appreciate, because the movie puts a lot of care into the setup of each character’s mindset and trauma.

The title As Above, So Below means that what exists above also exists below – so there is another plane of existence in both Heaven and Hell. It is derived from an inscription on the Emerald Tablet (a basis of alchemy), reading “that which is Below corresponds to that which is Above, and that which is Above corresponds to that which is Below, to accomplish the miracles of the One Thing.”

The morale of this movie is pretty much the same as the morale of Dante’s Inferno – you’ve got to acknowledge your wrongdoings or else it will consume you. This straightforward premise is enhanced with shocking instances of violence and effective jump scares, culminating in a satisfying ending that will make you think for hours. Maybe even days.

If you love history, mythology, or getting scared to death – you’ll love As Above, So Below.

As Above, So Below is currently available with a Hulu subscription.

What are your thoughts on As Above, So Below? Let us know in the comments!