{Fantastic Fest 2022}- Deep Fear Review-Claustrophobic Campy Fun

The creepy depths of Paris’ Catacombs are often mined for scary stories. Of course, some are more successful than others, but when you have a ready-made environment cued up for horror, even the worst of the films is decent. Deep Fear by director Grégory Beghin and writer Nicolas Tackian is that rare example of something both more and less than you expect. I thought I was getting yet another creature film about the monsters left to die in the seedy underground of the old city. I did get that, but instead of a derivative rehashed copycat, I got a fresh, creature film about Nazis. It’s a wild, wacky ride you won’t soon forget.

Sonia(Sofia Lesaffre), Max(Kassim Meesters), and Henry(Victor Meutelet) are enjoying one last night together before the pressures of adulthood creep in. Henry is off to the military soon, and Max and Sonia know it’s time to grow up and join the world. After a night of partying, Sonia surprises them with a tour of the Catacombs led by new friend and cataphile Ramy(Joseph Olivennes). The group soon hooks up with an entire community of urban explorers and finds themselves in search of a once thought destroyed section. That rumored area and legendary German Bunker 717 was supposedly annihilated during World War 2. Unfortunately for them, truth is stranger than fiction, and evil never dies.

Coincidently, an old German bunker exists below the Gare de l’Est platforms 2 and 3. It is off limits to the public, but some illegal explorers have found the perfectly maintained piece of history. The bomb shelter was half built by the French during the war and taken over by the Germans. The walls are covered with Nazi propaganda.

Deep Fear smartly subverts the classic tropes by weaving together elements of several different types of horror films. Obvious nods to subterranean terrors like The Descent and As Above So Below share space with slasher greats from the 80s, My Bloody Valentine, and Happy Birthday To Me. Most excitingly is the creature revealed in the third act that is so bonkers you are repulsed by his purifying skin and soul and snickering at the audacity of the monster’s origin. It defies logic and reality, but horror often relies on a suspension of reality.

The eventual creature is not the only horrors our group meets in the Catacombs. Between the crushing claustrophobia, suffocating faux friendship heaped on our group by the urban explorers, and deafening natural echoes, the underground caverns are an inhospitable place. Deep Fear captures all of it in shadows and piercing light. All of those early fears are circumstantial compared to the gang of skinheads who terrorize our group before they are cut off from everyone else and the known parts of the underground space.

Deep Fear is best seen cold. Giving too much away would spoil some of the movie’s fun. Suffice it to say the final act is unexpected campiness with a side of scares. There is plenty of blood spilled for even the most die-hard fans, and the gory last act is equally disgusting and unnerving. The otherworldly noise emitted by the Big Bad is like nothing I have ever heard and an inventive use of historical rantings.

The cast gamely throws themselves into their roles with closeups of their panicked faces used to drive the tension. They are so believable, in fact, it makes their decision to continue exploring hard to imagine as things start to unravel. This seemed like a terribly conceived adventure for a trio of hungover, ill-prepared, and semi-claustrophobic people. Most would have peaced out long before they came upon any skinheads.

The practical effects are great, and the concept is creative. Deep Fear isn’t what you expect, which is its greatest strength. Good performances and Beghin’s eye for capturing mood service the film well. With a quick run time and smart pacing, the film is an easy watch that never leaves you bored.

Deep Fear premiered at Fantastic Fest 2022 and will begin streaming on Screambox on November 1st, 2022. Find all our Fantastic Fest coverage here.