Introduction

In Under Paris (2024), director Nicolas Boukhrief crafts a chilling journey into the heart of fear and the unknown. Much like the labyrinthine catacombs beneath the City of Light, the film is a descent—not only underground but into the fragile human psyche when pressed against the limits of survival.

Plot Overview

The story follows a group of divers and explorers as they descend into the catacombs of Paris. These tunnels, filled with bones and ancient secrets, quickly shift from mere historical intrigue into a terrifying battleground of survival. What begins as curiosity evolves into dread as they uncover an ancient, malevolent force that stalks them through the dark corridors.

Themes of Fear and Survival

• Isolation: The explorers find themselves cut off from the world above, forced to rely solely on each other.
• Psychological Horror: Claustrophobia and paranoia erode trust as darkness closes in.
• Ancient Legends: The film intertwines myth and reality, suggesting the catacombs harbor more than history.
• Human Fragility: The narrative confronts how fear dismantles reason and fractures unity.

Atmosphere and Cinematography

Boukhrief embraces a visual style that mirrors the oppressive nature of the tunnels. The cinematography is drenched in shadows, with dim lighting and close shots emphasizing confinement. Water drips echo in the silence, footsteps carry unease, and the faintest creak becomes ominous. This interplay of sound and imagery makes the underground feel alive—an entity pressing in on the characters and the audience alike.

Pacing and Style

The pacing is slow, deliberate, and unrelenting. Rather than offering relief through spectacle or gore, Boukhrief leans on suspense and the mounting weight of the unseen. The terror lies not in what we see, but in what we imagine lurking just beyond the edge of the flashlight’s beam.

Performance and Character Dynamics

The ensemble cast grounds the horror in humanity. As fear mounts, friendships fray and leadership falters. The performances capture the dual struggle: against the sinister force haunting them and against the psychological collapse within. Each character embodies a different reaction to the unknown—fight, flee, or succumb.

Final Thoughts

Under Paris (2024) is not simply a horror film; it is a meditation on fear itself. By trapping its characters in a physical maze that mirrors their mental descent, it achieves what the best thrillers aspire to: revealing human truth under pressure. Dark, atmospheric, and deeply unsettling, this is a film that lingers long after the credits roll.

Verdict

For audiences seeking jump scares and quick thrills, this may feel too restrained. But for those who appreciate psychological horror and the artistry of suspense, Under Paris is a haunting descent worth taking.