Warning: Spoilers ahead.

“As Above, So Below” is a 2014 horror film about a group of treasure seekers who venture into the catacombs of Paris in search of the Philosopher’s Stone. Now many of you may know the Philosopher’s Stone from the Harry Potter universe where it is known as the Sorcerer’s Stone, but the Philosopher’s Stone is a real urban legend. The myth goes that one who is in possession of the stone would be able to not only turn basic metals into gold and silver but also have eternal life. However, the characters find more than they ever could have hoped for.

The film starts off with Scarlett, played by Perdita Weeks, sneaking into Iran to discover another clue that will lead her toward the stone, immediately throwing you into the middle of her quest with her. While collecting the information she needs, we learn that her father committed suicide in his efforts to find the Philosopher’s Stone. Scarlett picked up where he left off. Next, she goes to her friend George, played by Ben Feldman, to help her read the inscriptions to further her investigation. George reluctantly agrees and joins her on her journey. Once they figure out that they must enter the catacombs, the two enlist the help of three locals to help them get under the city. From there, the band of explorers enter the catacombs unknowing of what waited for them inside.

While watching this movie, try to do so with an emotional, psychological perspective in mind. By that I mean try to imagine that as the crew goes deeper and deeper into the catacombs, you are looking deeper and deeper into your own mind to find the dark things that live there. All of the characters in the film have a dark moment in their past that haunts their memories, such as the death of Scarlett’s father, which leads them into Hell. They must come face to face with these demons if they ever wish to escape, and to achieve such a reaction in the audience, the filmmakers use clever cinematography and plot points to push you into your own subconscious.

“As Above, So Below” presents its story in a first person perspective, telling it as if it were a documentary to try and give a sense that the story being watched is a true one. Normally, horror films that try this method fall far short of achieving the desired goal of making the audience a part of the story, but this movie incorporates it quite well.

For instance, as the team is about to enter the catacombs, one of the crew members is tackled by a police officer as it is highly illegal to go under the city unless within a guided tour. This scene causes an empathetic moment of fear in the audience because it is a realistic consequence of what they are trying to do and, since it is shot in first person, you feel as if you’re going to be caught too. This plot point is an excellent moment of writing because, not only does it make you feel as if you’re a part of the group, but pushes you down into the catacombs with them and therefore into your own psyche.

Also, think of the setting of the catacombs themselves and how they make the characters feel trapped. Consider the environment to be representative of your mind when contemplating over negative thoughts are parts of your past: it’s dark, horrifying and you never know what you are going to find or what is going to find you.

Now consider the demons and monsters that chase them around: imagine these beings are the demons of your own mind that try to catch you and drag you down causing your perception of the world to be a hellish one.

Truly, some of the most terrifying things are not the make-believe monsters and ghouls that go bump in the night, but rather the dark thoughts and painful memories we keep locked away in the labyrinths of our minds. Don’t worry, though; “As Above, So Below” won’t leave you with a feeling of dread and despair or hating the world, but instead will literally scare the hell out of you.