Distinction

1. The Descent: Distinction Criteria
1. Did the film have a success in changing the Representation
of womenin horror film?
 The Descent takes a whole new approach to horror genre as it portrays
women as being strong and empowered. It helps us consider the
stereotypes that women are given in horror films as in films like The
Friday the 13th series where women are seen as being promiscuous and
has that one virgin who survives till the end. However that is not the case
with The Descent as we have a clear idea of what are main characters are
like with the exception of ‘Juno’ who is the only promiscuous female in the
film. Something different The Descent does something different with
women for example the character of ‘Holly’ is seen as being quiet sporty
and reckless as we see that when breaks her leg. Also the character of
‘Sarah’ is the last surviving but with a difference she doesn’t make it out
alive as she contemplates her inevitable demise.
2. Consider the purpose of the film; did the film achieve its
intended purpose?
 The Descent only makes this film for one reason, for money, which will
lead to the possibility of a sequel. Luckily for The Descent the film was a
success bringing in $57, 051, 053 in the box office, which is great
considering they only, had a budget of £3.5 million, which made a
considerable profit. The profit the film generated enabled it to make a
sequel. Personally I enjoyed the film as I have never seen a horror film
change narrative half way through the film and so quickly when doing
3. Did the film change the horror genre?
 Neil Marshall's decision to cast all females pushed the horror genre into
new territory as we saw females take strong and empowered roles in a
horror movie for once. The descent also brings a new approach in the
narrative of a horror film, as its narrative changes half way through the
film from a adventure/thriller story about a woman and her road to
recovery from a car crash that took two of her loved ones away, then soon
transitions into a horror survival story of a group of friends in a fight for
survival in a very cluster phobic cave. Honestly speaking the film didn’t
really change horror genre in the way it intended but it did introduce
what we now know as torcher porn for certain audience members.

2. 4. Howsuccessful at keeping the audience’s interest was the
content and the narrative form of the film?
 What The Descent brought to the horror film genre was originality in the
story telling of films as the audience is brought to see a change in the
narrative half way through a film. In my opinion I feel The Descent did
take a risk in making a change in narratives half way through the film
because quiet frankly the first half is somewhat depressing and takes a lot
for you to stay interested in the film up to the point when it transitions to
the attack of the Crawlers. Overall The Descent did not change the horror
genre but it did change the audience’s interest as the film progress. Many
people that watch this kind of film are encouraged to watch other Torture
Porn films like: Wrong Turn and Hostel which are films that have a lot of
torture/gore involved. However The Descent it quite realistic in the way
that it portrays the affair taking place between Sarah’s husband and Juno
and the shear care that Sarah takes to the situation as she only ever thinks
about her daughter which links to the saying ‘no mother wishes to see the
child get buried’ which is very noticeable to the audience.