As Above, So Below (2014) is a psychological horror film directed by John Erick Dowdle, known for his found-footage style thrillers. Set in the haunting catacombs beneath Paris, the movie blends urban exploration, historical mystery, and supernatural terror.
Detailed Summary
The Philosopher’s Stone and Scarlett’s Quest
Scarlett Marlowe (Perdita Weeks) is a brilliant archaeologist following in her late father’s footsteps. She’s obsessed with finding the Philosopher’s Stone, a legendary artifact said to grant eternal life and turn base metals into gold. The story begins in Iran, where Scarlett risks her life to uncover ancient clues about the alchemist Nicolas Flamel.
Her discovery points her toward Paris, where she believes the Stone is hidden deep beneath the city in the Catacombs, a real-life maze containing the remains of over six million people.
Assembling the Team
Scarlett recruits her ex-boyfriend George (Ben Feldman), a historian fluent in multiple languages, and Benji (Edwin Hodge), her cameraman documenting the journey. To navigate the Catacombs, they enlist Papillon, Zed, and Souxie — a trio of local explorers familiar with the labyrinth’s hidden tunnels.
Once underground, the tone shifts dramatically: claustrophobic corridors, dim lights, and piles of human bones make the setting both fascinating and terrifying.
The Descent into Madness
The deeper they go, the more they encounter impossible phenomena: strange voices, a ringing phone, and the eerie appearance of a hooded woman. A sign carved into the wall reads “Abandon all hope, ye who enter here”, a direct quote from Dante’s Inferno.
Soon, they come across a sealed passage marked as forbidden. Ignoring the warning, Scarlett insists they must go through it to find the Stone. The group squeezes through a narrow tunnel, which collapses behind them — symbolically sealing their fate.
The Mirror World – A Hellish Reflection
From this point, things become surreal. The tunnels begin to mirror earlier locations, but everything is reversed and darker. The group realizes they are traveling deeper into Hell — both literally and metaphorically.
As they progress, each character encounters manifestations of their personal guilt and sins:
- George sees his drowned brother.
- Papillon confronts a burning car, a reminder of someone he left to die.
- Scarlett keeps seeing her dead father, who hanged himself when she was a child.
These visions become increasingly violent, blurring the line between hallucination and reality.
The Discovery of the Stone
Scarlett finds a chamber containing what appears to be the Philosopher’s Stone. Using it, she heals George after a brutal injury. But when Souxie dies despite the Stone’s power, Scarlett realizes the truth: the real Stone is not physical but spiritual — a symbol of self-acceptance and redemption.
To find it, she retraces her path back to a mirrored version of the entrance, facing visions of her guilt and confronting her father’s death. She confesses her remorse and forgives herself, achieving enlightenment. When she returns, her reflection merges with her — symbolizing inner wholeness.
Movie Ending
Scarlett and the remaining survivors — George and Zed — descend further, reaching a massive, upside-down room resembling the gates of Hell. The only way out seems to be down. Realizing the symbolism, Scarlett insists they must accept their sins and let go of fear.
They leap into a bottomless hole — but instead of dying, they land safely in a mirrored version of Paris. A manhole cover leads them back to the surface, emerging into daylight.
Zed, shaken but alive, walks away, repeating that he has a child waiting for him. Scarlett and George, bloodied and traumatized, walk off together. The camera then pans over the quiet Paris streets — leaving viewers uncertain whether they truly escaped Hell or brought it back with them.
The ending reinforces the movie’s central theme: “To escape Hell, you must face your own demons.”
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No. As Above, So Below does not have a post-credits scene. Once the surviving characters emerge into the daylight and the credits roll, the story concludes definitively.
Type of Movie
This film is a psychological horror and supernatural thriller, shot in the found-footage style. It mixes historical adventure, urban legend, and occult symbolism with claustrophobic terror.
Cast
- Perdita Weeks as Scarlett Marlowe
- Ben Feldman as George
- Edwin Hodge as Benji
- François Civil as Papillon
- Marion Lambert as Souxie
- Ali Marhyar as Zed
Film Music and Composer
The score was composed by Reza Safinia, blending ambient sound design with minimalist tones to heighten tension. The use of silence, echoing footsteps, and distorted breathing amplifies the film’s realism and dread more than traditional music.
Filming Locations
The movie was actually filmed inside the real Catacombs of Paris, making it the first production to receive such permission. The authenticity of the location adds immense realism — the tight tunnels, real bones, and historical inscriptions make viewers feel genuinely trapped alongside the characters.
Awards and Nominations
While As Above, So Below didn’t win major awards, it gained recognition for its unique concept and effective use of real locations. It became a cult favorite among found-footage horror fans.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- The film crew had to carry lightweight, portable cameras due to space restrictions in the Catacombs.
- Actors performed much of their own camerawork to preserve the authenticity of the found-footage style.
- The narrow tunnels caused panic attacks among some crew members.
- The production faced real dangers such as falling debris, low oxygen levels, and cramped conditions.
- The filmmakers reportedly left coins and items as offerings before filming, following Parisian superstition about disturbing the dead.
Inspirations and References
The story draws inspiration from:
- Dante Alighieri’s Inferno, both structurally and thematically.
- Real-life legends of the Philosopher’s Stone and alchemy.
- True stories about the Paris Catacombs, where explorers have claimed to see ghostly apparitions.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
Early drafts reportedly had a darker ending, where only Scarlett survives and realizes she’s still trapped in a psychological version of Hell. This was cut for being too ambiguous. Another deleted sequence included more backstory on Scarlett’s father and his suicide, emphasizing her obsession with redemption.
Book Adaptations and Differences
The movie is not based on a specific book, though it borrows heavily from the myth of the Philosopher’s Stone and the literary structure of The Divine Comedy. It mirrors Dante’s descent through the nine circles of Hell, both thematically and symbolically.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- Scarlett’s discovery of the “entrance to Hell” marked by Dante’s inscription.
- The claustrophobic crawl through the collapsing tunnel.
- Benji’s shocking death — falling into the darkness while screaming.
- Scarlett’s revelation that the real Philosopher’s Stone is within herself.
- The final leap into the abyss leading to the mirrored world.
Iconic Quotes
- “As above, so below.”
- “The only way out is down.”
- “You have to face it. You have to face your guilt.”
- “The Philosopher’s Stone is you.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- Scarlett’s name is a nod to Scarlet Woman, an alchemical and occult archetype representing knowledge and rebirth.
- Each circle of the Catacombs corresponds to one of Dante’s nine circles of Hell.
- The film’s total runtime (93 minutes) intentionally mirrors the number of feet between certain tombs in the real Catacombs, according to local legend.
- The number 741, seen carved on walls, refers to a “divine frequency” used in spiritual healing — tying back to the Philosopher’s Stone theme.
Trivia
- Filming required the crew to descend through narrow tunnels carrying real bones.
- The cast was given minimal lighting, forcing them to rely on their camera rigs.
- The film’s budget was relatively low (around $5 million) but grossed over $40 million worldwide.
- The phrase “As Above, So Below” comes from Hermetic philosophy, meaning what happens on one plane of existence reflects another — a concept central to the film’s mirrored world.
Why Watch?
Watch As Above, So Below if you love intelligent horror that mixes ancient mythology, psychological dread, and found-footage realism. It’s part Indiana Jones, part The Descent, and part The Exorcist — a claustrophobic, philosophical nightmare that forces both its characters and its audience to confront their own fears.
Director’s Other Movies
- The Poughkeepsie Tapes (2007)
- Quarantine (2008)
- Devil (2010)
- No Escape (2015)
Recommended Films for Fans
- The Descent (2005)
- Grave Encounters (2011)
- Chernobyl Diaries (2012)
- The Tunnel (2011)
- The Blair Witch Project (1999)
- Session 9 (2001)
