mermaidsherbet's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Moderate: Car accident, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Stalking, Toxic relationship, and Trafficking
Minor: Vomit and Medical content
killing_u95's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Gore, Kidnapping, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Death, Vomit, Violence, Stalking, Body horror, Toxic relationship, and Emotional abuse
babydog420's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Car accident, Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Gore
Minor: Trafficking and Panic attacks/disorders
enchantressreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Below is a nice mix of the Mothman legend of West Virginia and The Descent, a cave movie with terrifying creatures. Hightower always knows how to tug at the heartstrings, so there's a story within the horror of Addy trying to break away from her abusive ex-husband and become her own person. Through her ordeal under the bridge, I believe she finally realized that she's capable all on her own, and without Brian nagging in her head.
I'm a huge Mothman fan, even going as far as to visit Point Pleasant, West Virginia, where the Mothman legend is famous. Residents reported seeing a giant winged creature resembling a bat, or a moth, or a bird, with giant red eyes flying above the trees. Not long after, in December, the Silver Bridge between West Virginia and Ohio collapsed, spreading citizens and Christmas presents everywhere. I had the privilege to drive along the Silver Memorial Bridge, which was built after the collapse.
With that in mind, I had very high hopes for Below. I enjoyed the story and the way it was written, but there were a few points that I don't believe were fleshed out enough. I still have some questions! But maybe the questions will remain, as mythical as Mothman himself.
I highly recommend Below for anyone who loves creature features. We surely don't have enough of them in modern horror, and I love to see it.
Thank you to Ghoulish for sending me an advanced copy to review! Below releases on March 29th.
CW: gore, car accident, toxic/abusive relationship
Graphic: Gore
Moderate: Car accident and Toxic relationship