“As Above/So Below,” classified as a found-footage horror and special interest film, was released in theaters Aug. 29 and still show in theaters now. Many fans of this genre looked forward to the movie because its target setting is the ultimate playground for an adventurous horror film; the winding catacombs of Paris, France. The catacombs of Paris are the largest burial grounds known to mankind with an estimated count of over 6 million corpses. 

The film’s protagonist’s primary goal is to retrieve the philosophers’ stone. The philosophers’ stone is a legendary artifact of alchemy said to be capable of turning base metals into gold, and it was also rumored to serve as a kind of elixir. The stone is located in the depths of the catacombs and is the key to proving her father’s previous search for the artifact was not a vain quest. 

The primary review posted for the film on Rotten Tomatoes serves as both an accurate summary of the film and a statement regarding its critical reception. This review states, “After an intriguing setup that threatens to claw its way out of found-footage overkill, As Above/So Below plummets into clichéd mediocrity.” 

This statement proves correct, as no one gave the film higher than IMDb’s rating of 6.2/10. The first half of the film is strictly archaeological due to a need to introduce the setting and the artifact of interest. The film quickly introduces that idea the gates of Hell itself are located in the depths of the catacombs and that all trespassers must prove themselves worthy by facing the darkest trials from their past. 

The main flaw of the film is that it only gives as many answers as a found-footage film allows. “As Above/So Below” does no favors for its audience and leaves much unanswered.

For a movie with a plot as deep and chaotic as this film, additional answers and plot development are needed. It was hard to tell if the spirits presented were due to psychological failure of the characters or even if the survivors ended up in the real Paris after the horrific events ended. There is a potential to provide answers, but no dialogue is offered to explain the backgrounds of these characters. 

While the film shows several creepy scenarios that by no means disappoint horror fans, negative reviews generated due to lack of purpose and clarity within the film. The film had a promising sponsor: Universal Pictures. Why would the film fall short? There are several reasons. 

When going to the theater, it is important to keep in mind that not all films in the industry put all the pieces together. Many viewers are quick to give negative reviews when all they need to do is solve the puzzle. “As Above/So Below” could have been this, but it still fell short. 

It is hard to say why. Some directors and screenwriters in the entertainment industry, however, have a budget to think about when making films. After a certain amount of advertisement, a director cannot just abandon the project. The people making the movie are then forced to resort to an unfavorable strategy: speed up the production and finish the project, but lower the quality of the film. It is very believable that this could have occurred with “As Above/So Below.” 

Then what can the common movie-goer do about it? One just has to decipher whether or not the film is intended to present a puzzle to the audience or just be pure entertainment value. The question to ask in this kind of situation is, “Does the film present the question and the answers in a graceful, enjoyable way, or is the movie just a disorganized, chaotic plot twist?” 

It is possible to appreciate the clever origins and fun creepy plot twist in “As Above/So Below.” The film, however, serves as a temporary reminder of the importance of strategic story lines in the entertainment industry.