‘The Monster Beneath Us’ Review: Slow Gothic Horror in a Gorgeously Dark Setting
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What is The Monster Beneath Us About?
The Monster Beneath Us has a very descriptive title. It is a Gothic horror film about a mother and son who move into a house that has a monster living in its basement.
To elaborate, The Monster Beneath Us is set in 1898, and it follows Grace (Becca Hirani) and her son Charlie (Marshall Hawkes) as they move into a large, remote house that belonged to Grace’s husband James (Jack Forsyth-Noble). The movie begins with James being haunted by something in the basement which drives him to kill himself. Later, Grace and Charlie move into the house as Grace prepares to sell it. Charlie becomes enamored with his new basement-dwelling “friend,” and Grace’s life goes from bad to worse as troubles both natural and supernatural begin to overwhelm her.
The Monster Beneath Us was written and directed by Sophie Osbourne whose previous movies include Easter Bunny Massacre (2021) and Summoning Bloody Mary 2 (2022).
The Monster Beneath Us Review
First, the positives. The Monster Beneath Us has the benefit of taking place in a fantastic location. It was filmed at the historic Crayke Manor in Yorkshire, England, and the centuries-old mansion provides a phenomenally moody atmosphere. Cinematographer Dom Hopking took great advantage of the site, using its interiors to create some truly beautiful shots. The light is always gloomy, the darkness is always oppressive, and the walls feel like they’re closing in. It perfectly fits the tone the movie is going for.
Unfortunately, atmosphere alone can’t carry an entire film. The story is just too sparse for its 103-minute run time. The pace is sluggish which makes the hour-forty feel much longer. The pacing issues have a lot to do with the fact that The Monster Beneath Us keeps the audience waiting for a big revelation that never really happens. Instead, this first half of the movie is filled with quiet walks down long, dark corridors while chasing Charlie out of the basement. Then the second half revolves around an incident that occurs when Grace’s mother-in-law arrives, and the final confrontation with Charlie’s monstrous friend. It’s all very drawn-out.
A spectacular finale could have made the wait worth it, but the ending turns into a chase sequence which feels out of place with the psychological horror of the rest of the movie. Worst of all, the monster is more distracting than terrifying. The monster is very obviously made with CGI, and considering the beautiful, real-life location the film is set in, the monster stands out in the worst way possible. It really should have remained hidden entirely.
The Monster Beneath Us Rating and Recommendation
Star Rating: 2 out of 5
The Monster Beneath Us is only recommended for the most patient of viewers. The story is fine, but it’s not complex or emotional enough for the pacing. The look of 95% of the movie is fantastic, but the overall look can’t sustain interest in the story, and the monster is a letdown.
The Monster Beneath Us is currently streaming on TVOD services including Prime Video.
Further Reading
- New/Upcoming Horror Movies
- Stupid Games Review: An Engrossing Supernatural Chamber Piece
- Cinderella’s Revenge Review: A Classic Tale with a Bloody Twist
- Ship of the Damned Review: Cursed Cannibal Pirates on a Low-Budget Ship
- Gothic Horror Movies: The Definitive List
