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 In a remote mountain range, six girlfriends meet for their yearly adventure, a caving trip into the arteries of the earth. The group makes their way through the remote cave system, enjoying the hazardous but beautiful surroundings.Then, deep inside the cave, disaster strikes when their route back to the surface is blocked by a rockfall. When they learn that Juno, always pushing herself that little bit further, has brought them to an unexplored cave, and that no one is coming to rescue them, the group starts to splinter. Left with no other option, they push on through the cave, praying for another exit. The women battle through this harsh underground world, pitting their strength and determination against each new challenge.
Unbeknownst to them, there is something else lurking under the earth, a race of monstrous creatures hidden from the light, evolved to live perfectly in the dark. As the friends realize they have become prey, they are forced to unleash their most primal instincts to face the creatures. As old wounds break open and loyalties disintegrate, the women realize the horrible truth-they have most to fear from one another.
"The Descent" is Neil Marshall's hotly anticipated follow up to his 2002 hit "Dog Soldiers." Directed by Marshall from his own script, it tells the story of an all-female caving expedition that goes horribly wrong, and stars Shauna Macdonald, Natalie Mendoza, Alex Reid, Saskia Mulder, Nora-Jane Noone and Myanna Buring. Set in a cave system deep in the Appalachian Mountains, Marshall describes his film as "'Deliverance' goes underground."
One year after a tragic accident, six girlfriends meet in a remote part of the Appalachians for their annual caving trip. Deep below the surface of the earth, disaster strikes when a rock falls and blocks their route back to the surface. The girls soon learn that Juno, the thrill-seeking leader of the expedition, has brought them to an unexplored cave and that as a result no knows where they are to come rescue them.
The group splinters and each push on, praying for another exit. But there is something else lurking under the earth – a race of monstrous humanoid creatures that are adapted perfectly to life in the dark. As the friends realize they are now prey, they are forced to unleash their most primal instincts in an all-out war against an unspeakable horror – one that attacks without warning, again and again and again.
As the others battle for their lives, Sarah (Macdonald), still recovering from a mental collapse brought on by the recent deaths of her family, is fighting for her sanity. When old secrets are revealed, the friends turn on one another, causing the group to implode. Betrayed and desperate, Sarah realizes that to make it back to the surface, she must become as savage as the creatures themselves.
About the Filmmakers
Neil Marshall, writer and director
Neil Marshall's first feature, Dog Soldiers , enjoyed a successful UK release through Pathé in 2002. It quickly gained a reputation as a cult horror, winning Marshall a legion of fans.
Written, directed and edited by Marshall, Dog Soldiers went on to win numerous international awards, topped the UK DVD and video charts for weeks, and eventually saw him credited as having sparked a resurgence in British horror. Marshall’s other feature credits include Killing Time, which was theatrically released in the USA, and he has been commissioned to write two further features, The Spiral Down and The Heights of Abraham. Outpost , which Marshall wrote and will also direct, is currently in development with the UK Film Council.
Christian Colson, producer
Christian Colson is Joint Managing Director of Celador Films. He is responsible for commissioning, developing and producing all feature film projects for the company. As well as The Descent , he is also the producer of the company’s second feature, Separate Lives. Christian joined Celador in 2000 from Miramax Films where he was Head of Development UK.
 The Cast of the DescentShauna Macdonald - Sarah
Shauna Macdonald plays Sarah. The action takes place one year after Sarah has suffered a complete breakdown having lost her husband and daughter in a horrific car accident that she was also involved in. Out of action for a while, she has not seen any of her friends for a year, apart from loyal Beth, who has stuck by her and helped her through. The caving expedition is intended as a way for Sarah to put the past behind her and start enjoying life again. Shauna trained at RSAMD, and she has worked across a range of titles in film, television and theatre. Her credits include co-lead in Stephen Whittaker’s The Rocket Post , in BBC TV’s Spooks and State of Play.
Natalie Mendoza - Juno
Natalie Mendoza plays Juno. Juno is the leader of the trip, tough, compelling and always looking for adventure. She is Sarah’s best and oldest friend, but incapable of dealing with her friend’s grief, and secretly harboring grief and guilt of her own, she has not seen Sarah for almost a year. Juno is determined that the trip will be special and the start of happier times for Sarah, but it is exactly these good intentions which lead the girls to their inevitable doom.
Natalie Mendoza has firmly established herself as a versatile performer. In addition to an impressive list of acting credits in film, television and theatre, she is also an accomplished singer, dancer and writer. As well as successful recording contracts, she has appeared in a number of musicals including Cats and Miss Saigon. Her film credits include Code 46, The Great Raid and Moulin Rouge.
Alex Reid - Beth
Alex Reid plays Beth. Beth is an English teacher and out of all the girls, she is the most reluctant to come on the trip. Although she has been friends with Juno and Sarah for years, Beth feels let down by Juno.
When Sarah was facing hard times, it was Beth who was left to pick up the pieces while Juno fled back to America. Now one year on, Beth is skeptical and wary of Juno’s attempts to bridge the gap between them and re-create old times by organizing this caving expedition.
Alex Reid has an impressive list of film and television credits, including the lead roles in The Honeymooners and Jack Sholder’s Arachnid, and the character Pam in Last Orders. She has been seen on television as Claire in Peter Kosminsky’s Spin and played one of the leads in ITV1’s Blue Dove. Other TV credits include Ultimate Force on ITV1 and BBC1’s Casualty.
Saskia Mulder - Rebecca
Saskia Mulder plays athletic Scandinavian Rebecca. She is a professional climber and her connection to the group is via Juno with whom she shares a love of adventure, nature and, of course, extreme sports.
Aside from Juno, Rebecca is the most experienced climber and caver in the group so it is she who initially suspects that all is not as it should be. Not wanting to spoil things and knowing that Juno will not take kindly to being questioned, Reb.
Saskia Mulder is best known for her roles in Danny Boyle’s hit movie adaptation of The Beach, and as Fist in Channel 4’s critically acclaimed comedy The Book Group. She has also appeared in a number of other popular television series including BBC2’s Coupling and BBC1’s Jonathan Creek. Her feature film credits include Dieu Est Grand, Je Suis Tout Petit and That Certain Something.
Nora Jane Noone - Holly
Nora Jane Noone plays wild child Holly, a fearless and impulsive base jumper who the group jokingly describe as Juno’s protÈgÈ. She lives for the adrenalin high of adventure and danger, and is determined to get her kicks out of the trip, which she has decided is too tame for her liking. Nora Jane Noone trained at the Performing Arts School in Galway and made her professional movie debut playing the leading role in Peter Mullan's The Magdalene Sisters , which won the Best Film at 2002 Venice Film Festival. Since then she has worked in radio, film and television, and can currently be seen playing Louise Hazel in ITV1’s Coronation Street.
MyAnna Buring - Sam
MyAnna Buring plays Rebecca’s younger half-sister, Sam, a Swedish medical student studying in America. Although there’s a great affection between the two sisters, Rebecca tends to undermine Sam by treating her like a child so Sam is determined to show her older sister that she is a woman and can look after herself. This is MyAnna Buring’s first feature film since graduating from LAMDA last year. Her previous credits include Casualty and Much Ado About Nothing for BBC TV.
 These production notes provided by Lionsgate Films. |
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