Cast of the 2006 British horror film The Descent. A special screening this Sunday at the Rio features director Neil Marshall introducing the film and answering questions after the screening.
Horror movie fans, or fans of nail-biting suspense thrillers featuring strong female leads, won’t want to miss a special screening this Sunday May 7 at the Rio Theatre (1661 E. Broadway).
The Vancouver independent will show The Descent, a classic of British horror, with director Neil Marshall in attendance. Here are four more reasons to catch the 1996 film in this special screening.
1. It’s a modern masterpiece of British horror. But don’t take our word for it: here are some review snippets. “Brutal, bloody, terrifying, astonishing… And so tense it’ll leave you aching. The most significant Brit chiller since 28 Days Later” (Empire Magazine); “… sustains a level of intensity that most horror films can barely muster for five minutes” (AV Club); “Tense, gory and masterfully malevolent” (Total Film).
2. It passes the Bechdel test. That is, it passes the the guideline “that a work of fiction must depict two or more women who have a conversation about something other than a man.” Boy, does it ever! The main characters are a group of six female spelunkers exploring the caves of North Carolina. Naturally (or unnaturally), they unearth more than they bargained for.
3. Neil Marshall. Marshall will introduce the film and discuss it after the screening. Over the last few years, the British director has been working in television, directing episodes of such high-profile cable shows as Westworld and Game of Thrones.
4. This:
5. The Big Screen. Sure, you can rent The Descent, or wait for it to (maybe) show up on Netflix. But why not treat yourself to some big-screen claustrophia, in a nice roomy theatre where you can get the full experience, along with popcorn – and beer?
The Descent screens this Sunday at 6:30 p.m. Doors are at 6. Tickets $12 in advance at riotheatre.ca and the box office, or and $14 at the door. Minors OK in the balcony! (The film is rated 18A.) Must be 19+ w/ID for bar service and main floor seating. Advanced tickets available at riotheatretickets.ca or at the box office.
