The Descent (2005)

Kernel Score: 76% · 4,299 ratings · Rated R

Genres: Adventure, Horror

Released: 2005-07-08

Runtime: 100 minutes

Is The Descent worth watching?

Depends on your taste. Six women trapped in a cave system face something living there. It's very effective if you're comfortable with claustrophobia and gore, but the horror gets nasty and the tone is bleak.

Watch it if you

  • love claustrophobic horror
  • enjoy a female-led survival story
  • want tension that builds well

Skip it if you

  • are claustrophobic
  • dislike gore

Best for: Brave horror night

Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.

Where to watch The Descent

  • Stream: Fubo, Philo, AMC+, Shudder
  • Free with ads: Fawesome, The Roku Channel, VIX , Plex, Xumo Play
  • Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
  • Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube

US availability, updated 2026-10-23.

Overview

After a personal tragedy, Sarah joins her friends on a caving expedition in the Appalachian Mountains. But when a rockfall traps them deep underground, their adventure turns into a nightmare. As they search for a way out, the group discovers they are not alone—lurking in the darkness are savage, cave-dwelling creatures. With rising tension and dwindling trust, the women must fight to survive against both the predators and each other.

The Descent parents' guide: ages 15+

Parents need to know that The Descent is an intense horror film about women trapped in caves fighting savage creatures, featuring gore, panic, and sustained terror.

  • Violence & scariness: Intense — Contains graphic gore and brutal creature attacks as trapped women fight for survival.

Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.

Movies like The Descent

If you liked The Descent, these are the movies we'd watch next.

  • Alien (1979) — 96%: Terrifying creature horror in an enclosed place.
  • Train to Busan (2016) — 86%: Tense survival thriller.
  • The Evil Dead (1981) — 82%: Cult horror with a trapped group.
  • Dawn of the Dead (2004) — 80%: Survivors under siege.
  • Jaws (1975) — 86%: A classic that finds fear in the unknown.
  • King Kong (1933) — 85%: Old-school adventure into a dangerous, hidden place.

Director

Neil Marshall

Cast

  • Shauna Macdonald as Sarah Carter
  • Natalie Mendoza as Juno Kaplan
  • Alex Reid as Beth O'Brien
  • MyAnna Buring as Sam Vernet
  • Saskia Mulder as Rebecca Vernet
  • Nora-Jane Noone as Holly
  • Leslie Simpson as Crawler
  • Oliver Milburn as Paul Carter
  • Molly Kayll as Jessica Carter
  • Craig Conway as Crawler - Scar

The Descent FAQ

Is The Descent worth watching?

Depends on your taste. Six women trapped in a cave system face something living there. It's very effective if you're comfortable with claustrophobia and gore, but the horror gets nasty and the tone is bleak.

Where can I watch The Descent?

In the US you can stream The Descent on Fubo, Philo, AMC+ and Shudder, watch it free with ads on Fawesome, The Roku Channel, VIX , Plex and Xumo Play and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.

Is The Descent OK for kids?

The Descent is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that The Descent is an intense horror film about women trapped in caves fighting savage creatures, featuring gore, panic, and sustained terror.

What movies are like The Descent?

If you liked The Descent, try Alien, Train to Busan, The Evil Dead and Dawn of the Dead.