Deep Fear (2022) Movie Review
As a big fan of horror, I really enjoy stories about the Paris catacombs. It's a spooky place with thousands of skeletons, so tales of spirits and creatures there seem totally believable. My favorite horror film is "As Above, So Below" because it mixes the supernatural with the historical figure Nicolas Flamel. Recently, I checked out a film called "DEEP FEAR" at Fantastic Fest, and it follows a similar vibe to my favorite. However, despite the suspenseful buildup, the ending was a bit disappointing – just a Nazi and his dog.
Deep Fear Movie
The story of "DEEP FEAR" unfolds in 1991, with Sonia, played by Sofia Lesaffre, having her friends Max and Henry over before Henry heads off for military service. Sonia, wanting to make their time together memorable, asks for help from a new friend named Ramy. Together, they embark on a trip into the Paris catacombs. As they go deeper, the adventure turns less fun, and soon they find themselves in a fight for survival.
The night before Sonia and her friends head out, she has a scary dream about skinheads breaking into her house. Oddly enough, they run into those same skinheads in the catacombs the next day. But the movie doesn't do much with it, leaving us confused about Sonia's supposed psychic abilities or if it's just a cheap trick to spook us.
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Another mystery they rush through involves a missing cataphile from the beginning of the film. The group meets other cataphiles, and Henry talks to Lamia, who is searching for her missing brother. Even though it seems like Henry has a crush on Lamia, their relationship quickly fizzles out. "DEEP FEAR" has too many random moments that don't lead anywhere.
While I appreciate the direction "DEEP FEAR" takes, it's harder to believe than spirits attacking. The challenge of fighting something already dead is scary, but the movie throws in an old Nazi and his skinny dog from World War II. Despite their malnourished appearance, the group struggles to fight them. It's hard to buy into the fear when a simple kick to the dog's head could have ended things. The Nazi, who looks like he hasn't seen sunlight in decades, shouldn't be taking on the group like this.
Even though "DEEP FEAR" builds up suspense well, the moment we see their enemies, it's a letdown. A skinny Nazi and a Resident Evil knockoff dog don't make for convincing monsters. For me, a horror film is only as good as its monsters, and "DEEP FEAR" doesn't deliver. It's not a great movie, and the wasted potential is disappointing.