The Descent is a 99-minute horror movie that effectively scares audiences through jump scares, eerie music, and gore. It also entertains through elements of surprise, horror, and interesting plot twists. The first half of the movie focuses on developing the characters and their backstories. While most horror movies are around 90 minutes, the extra length in The Descent allows the story to conclude with a cliffhanger that leaves viewers wanting more. The movie builds suspense by not showing the monsters until later in the film, making their first clear appearances more frightening.