Deep Fear

DEEP FEAR is a claustrophobic chiller that takes us beneath the streets of Paris. This isn't the usual catacombs movie, it takes us into an unexplored -except by taggers- region. As in other such films, there are ample opportunities for the young explorers to be threatened, terrified, and given a lesson in extreme caving along the way.

Some of the ultra-tight squeezes are reminiscent of movies like THE DESCENT, with some similar dangers.

One strength is that the aforementioned youths are not presented as annoying jerks, out to make a mockery of everything. In fact, they're all pretty serious. This makes it all the more effective when they finally reach their destination, and the true horror begins.

A gory, increasingly intense creeper with a perfectly grim finale...

How not to think about those two features. THE DESCENT, one of the most claustrophobic horror films ever made, that makes any audiences dizzy, disturbed, and CATACOMBS, a small horror film released in 2014, made by an American or British director, speaking of the same topic. It's actually a pretty good horror movie, well done, directed and shamefully never released in theaters. Good acting, convicing young actors. Nothing really new though, with an expected ending for this kind of movie.

This is not a horror movies. Consider thriller movies. Average acting. Average storyline. Good idea but suspense atmospheres not there. However still manage to follow until the end. Not a worst movie but the potential is there.

This chatty French horror film has similarities with 2014's 'Up Above, So Below'. I found that film's success surprising for such a lacklustre production, so my enthusiasm for 'Bunker 717' (sometimes known as 'Deep Fear') was muted. The results here are pretty good.

Three students decide to celebrate their graduation by exploring the catacombs underneath Paris. They appear to be followed down there by a couple of skinhead ne'er do wells.

Things start off slowly and it's a pity some of the time wasn't spent allowing us to get to know the characters better; they are all fairly likeable, but sketchy. The main antagonist, who is impressive but used very sparingly, would also have benefited from some semblance of a backstory.

This is low-key, but mainly fun. The claustrophobic setting is well conveyed and there's a real sense of 'things lurking in the shadows'. This, and a convincing level of gore, coupled with an effective ending, makes for a fairly effective 80 minutes. My score is 6 out of 10.

A cold open, followed by exposition showing the relationships between chief characters, and the suggestion of wholly repugnant, distinctly antagonistic characters. Generally unimportant dialogue and character background, exploration of a labyrinthine locale that's officially closed to the public, and the promise of something sinister just around the corner. Writing, acting, and direction that's perfectly suitable for the horror genre, if overall common and/or unremarkable; original music that is a primary contributor to the atmosphere that the picture can claim; unbothered pacing, resulting in a film of about eighty minutes in length that's not altogether uneventful in almost the full first five-eighths, but not especially striking or compelling, either.

'Deep fear' is well made such as it is, with excellent filming locations and production design, admirable lighting and cinematography, and otherwise solid craftsmanship. The costume design, hair, and makeup are splendid. Filmmaker Grégory Beghin illustrates strong capability in orchestrating shots and scenes, and though Nicolas Tackian's screenplay might not be anything super noteworthy, I do earnestly enjoy the story that he wrote. Though the heaviest horror content doesn't begin to show up until a full hour has passed, the blood, gore and other effects that we do see look fantastic (provided that, as we've observed elsewhere, the camera doesn't totally linger on it). I actually do like the cast; the performances are nothing special, perhaps, but Victor Meutelet, Joseph Olivennes, Kassim Meesters, Léone François-Janssens, and especially Sofia Lesaffre, among others, all ably bring the story to live with the turbulent, heightened emotions of their characters.

I have no major critiques of this movie. I guess the thing is, I have no major praise to offer, either. If it's a horror flick that you want, it's a horror flick that you'll get. There's some atmosphere, some visceral nastiness, and maybe even some thrills to be had. 'Deep fear' is broadly enjoyable and well done, and all that it needed to be; I'll even go so far as to say that it's better than I expected, for what it's worth. Is it anything that you need to go out of your way to see? No. Will it satisfy basic cravings for the genre? Yes, I think it will. It's dark, grisly fun that doesn't reinvent anything, but very ably serves its purpose, and that's enough in my book to earn a fair recommendation.