Into the Dark (TV Series) Down (2019) User Reviews

Stuck between floors

[themick2008 · 5/10 · 22 December 2021]

Two people are working late over valentine's day weekend. They get trapped in an elevator on their way out. Everyone else is gone for the day. No help is coming until Tuesday. They are stuck with each other and the meager belongings in their brief cases.

Fortunately these two are young, physically attractive folks of the opposite sex. Hey, they might as well get to know each other better, right? You never know what might happen. A little intimate conversation..., a few spilling of secrets..., it might lead to bouts of nakedness and passionate lovemaking.

Down starts fast on it's evocative premise. The two leads (Matt Laurie, Natalie Martinez) are on the screen for most of the movie. They do a good job as they reveal who they are to each other. They both have an intensity to their character. The tension lessens considerably as the inevitable sexual encounter concludes.

The second half stalls like the elevator they're trapped in. There isn't enough plot material for a full length movie. We guess fairly early that the security guard guy is behind the whole ruse, using his security key to pretend to be stuck. The emphasis is on over-the-top cruelty as they take turns getting the upper hand and torturing each other.

The encounter with the fellow security guard (Arnie Pantoja) is fun and breaks the monotony of the two main combatants punching each other out. It's all too brief. Once the big secret is spilled, that the stalker has set the whole situation up, we kinda know how the rest of the story goes.

Good premise, poor execution

[bangel3322 · 6/10 · 2 March 2019]

I actually think the first half of this is really really good. And the revelation half way through was good, didn't actually see that coming. However the characterisation of the villain is not believable at all. From how the character describes himself before he got the security job to how he is now just does not fit at all. And so for me, his creepiness only lasted for about 2 minutes before his character just became a big joke and that was a huge let down. It turned silly toward the end. Apart from Pooka all the episodes of this show have very flat endings.

Solidly mediocre

[hawkknight88-1 · 5/10 · 10 February 2019]

The main woman made so many dumb decisions. I actually yelled at the TV twice because she kept being such a dimwit. It's a shame because the film is otherwise okay.

When will horror/thrillers learn that characters can be smart and the movie can still be compelling?

** Spoilers ** She's trapped in the elevator with a psycho and she proceeds to threaten him before she gets out?? Does nobody question the director?

At least the ending was better than I thought it'd be.

Best one yet

[MsLSimon · 7/10 · 4 February 2019]

I haven't been a huge fan of this series. Most are largely forgettable if not bad. This one is very enjoyable. Incredible that it can keep you entertained despite it taking place in one elevator and with only 2 characters. Applause just for that accomplishment.

Solidly stu.....

[brian-milligan · 30 March 2019]

Pid. Why on earth would the dumb woman who is not out of danger in any sense yet give her would be killer the finger with a smug look on her face as she gets out of the elevator? Furthermore why would she try to negotiate the elevator shaft wearing high heel wedge shoes? I turned it off but I hope she gets killed. Because she's too stupid to live.

'Into the Dark' doubles down on its B-movie celebrations with 'Down'

[imthelastboyscout · 6/10 · 5 February 2019]

'Into the Dark' is already returning to the well it drank from with 'Flesh & Blood', keeping things in one location with two main characters at loggerheads. The results are mostly enjoyable even if the 'trapped in an elevator' premise leaves little room for any real invention.

TV stars Natalie Martinez and Matt Lauria carry the 80-minute running time admirably enough; with the former giving a believable and sympathetic turn while the latter enjoys the opportunity to chew on some scenery. They have an interesting chemistry together but rarely do their performances rise above the lurid B-movie nature of the piece. This is familiar territory to anyone who remembers the woman-in-peril thriller 'P2' (which was set on Christmas Eve and would have been a perfect fit for this series come to think of it). 'Down' plays out in a similar fashion only with a smaller budget, less locations and not as many suspense sequences.

This is the first of the 'Into the Dark' movies that felt a lot more like a TV movie, in both premise and execution. I love a good one location thriller, especially if the writer and director can keep the suspense juice flowing for a feature length runtime, but 'Down' is hindered in its ability to drum up true terror by its all too simplistic premise. We know that our two characters will be stuck in this elevator for the majority of the story so therefore we know that neither one of them will face any true peril for at least an hour. And we know exactly which character is not all they appear to be, simply based off the limited nature of the set-up. At one point, right around the first confrontation, I thought the story was going to actually pull out a surprise by killing said character in the heat of a struggle then the true horror story would begin with our lone survivor trapped in an elevator coffin for days with a decomposing body. 'Ah, this could be exciting!' I thought to myself, but then we went straight back into the trapped-with-a-psycho formula. Too bad.

For the first half an hour we get some really interesting character dynamics between Martinez and Lauria, particularly their early flirtations, so they keep things watchable until the plot closes in on them and forces them into conflict. There are some contrivances along the way to get them there too, as both characters say and do things to keep this antagonism alive. When a screenwriter limits themselves this much with their set-up, such contrived behaviors can be expected and even forgiven. Something has to push this story forward, even if Martinez giving the finger to Lauria at a key moment is about as stupid a thing anyone in this series has done thus far. Still, I have to give screenwriter Kent Kubena credit here because 'Down' is never dull nor does it outstay its welcome. It is slick and efficient schlock.

In fact, 'Down' is the most true-to-premise installment of this holiday themed series so far. It really does feel like a twisted take on Valentine's Day where as previous episodes have often felt tenuously connected to their holidays. I like that each film has a different way of dealing with the holiday theme though and they have all explored different themes and issues in their own twisted ways. 'The Body' felt like an attempt to size-up and cut-down millennials; 'Flesh & Blood' explored some devious gaslighting between parent and child; 'Pooka' delved into the nature of existential guilt; 'New Year, New You' toyed with toxic femininity; and 'Down', I suppose, explores toxic masculinity. You could say it is a #MeToo movie in that regard, even if its ideas and scenes are lifted (almost wholesale) from movies that were around way before that movement got going. Ultimately, I feel like 'Down' is entertaining but somehow redundant. This cat-and-mouse one location deal was done to better effect in 'Flesh & Blood' and 'New Year, New You'.

'Into the Dark' is proving itself to be quite divisive. Rather than it being a straight-up horror anthology it seems to be unfolding as more of a celebration of the horror/thriller B-movie. That is really quite awesome in its own way. In an era of prestige TV, when every serialized show takes itself way so seriously, it is really refreshing to have something this trashy, fun and entertaining to watch each month. So I'm still digging the series and will continue reviewing every episode as and when they come out. Next up, 'Treehouse'. See you then!

I liked it... but it's not amazing.

[karafuerst · 7/10 · 1 February 2019]

I'm a Matt Lauria fan so purely for that reason I liked it. Not terrible, but not amazing. Worth a watch though. I liked this much better than the first and third episodes.

Best in the series

[Draysan-Jennings · 7/10 · 5 January 2021]

Well that was a surprise. I did not expect this movie to be as good as it was. Definitely the best film from the Into The Dark series. Give it a watch ..7 stars

Riveting!

[saphira_dragon-80270 · 8/10 · 3 February 2019]

One of our favorite episodes yet! We loved it. Very very thrilling.

Could be better if the ending turns out differently

[gchrisdavis · 7/10 · 17 November 2019]

Usually I root against the supposed villain, but for this episode, I feel bad for the guy, given his background story and how it went down after they had sex. The woman really doesn't have redeeming qualities. First of all, she went hysterical threatening she would call the cops after the guy just used the key to activate the elevator and let her go. That's just plain stupid. Aside from the fact she's not safe yet, a moment earlier, she just said "it was great and freeing" but after she knew the truth, suddenly it wasn't? and couldn't wait to get back to his boyfriend whom she's having difficult relationship with? It doesn't make sense!

On top of that, the woman was unnecessarily cruel. She's actually the one that started the physical assault and the disfiguring scene was too much.

The ending would be better and maybe not so predicable if 1.) The woman fell for the guy and decided to give him a chance after he told the whole story about the accident. Turn this weird love/horror story into a happy ending, I mean, the show is called "into the dark" , so why not? or 2.) The man get away with it and the woman died or 3.) They both died.

They had me until...

[makeba-93054 · 3/10 · 1 September 2021]

The movie was good and had great build up...buuutttt the woman was too stupid in this movie for me to completely enjoy. I was more upset with her actions than being able to focus on the movie...just no.

This one was good!!

[asavig · 8/10 · 5 February 2019]

Out of all the films from the series Into the Dark, Down is the best so far! I have seen a lot of thriller/horror films and have been able to pick up on what is going to come next, but this one threw me through a bit of a loop! I hope the others will be as good as this one!!

Love or hate Valentine's Day, Hulu has a good, quick little thriller for you.

[mossow92 · 7/10 · 10 March 2019]

Hulu's Into the Dark series has had some hits and some misses, so you never really know what to expect heading in. This one starts off strong and is a good little thrilling yarn from start to finish. Great use of two attractive, moderately well-known actors to lead this one gives a sense of the viewer knows these characters and can become engrossed in their story. (Also helps that I love the beautiful Natalie Martinez from her Under the Dome days.) While the second half of the film is cliche and has been done many times before, it's done pretty well. Clocking in at just over 80 minutes, it's a quick little thrill ride that is better than it should be.

Not original

[jessica-messica · 2/10 · 12 February 2019]

Anyone else recognize this story before? It's basically P2 with Rachel Nichols and Wes Bentley. But P2 was way better in my opinion, way better acting.

Down - Into the Dark

[bobcobb301 · 6/10 · 14 July 2019]

It fell apart once they had them get out of the elevator, but this was actually a fun little cheesy horror movie.

The scripts still are just not good enough, but there was a lot to enjoy here.

Okay

[keepk · 7/10 · 4 April 2019]

It was my first episode of the series. It was okay but it wasn't bad. I don't understand why she would have sex with him. I mean she barely knows him. The whole movie seemed off but can't really expect it. The ending was okay. Definitely seen better.

They fall down

[TheTruthofItIs · 7/10 · 14 January 2020]

I typically like these feature-length vignettes but this one felt too stretched out. I like the stuck-in-elevator-with-stalker-psycho thing but "Jennifer" doesn't learn from her mistakes, agitating Deakins again and again bringing on more drama and injury. It was a decent watch, a bit too much senseless/poorly motivated killing, could've been more nuanced, a little too in-your-face with the violence, should've had a better dénouement .

Well done but to long.

[PJK · 6/10 · 16 February 2020]

There's a lot of great stuff in this one but the premise just isn't enough to support a full length feature. If this were cut down to a tight 45 and put in a horror anthology it would be talked about as a classic. Padded out as it is when it's done you'll say well that had some really cool bits... and then forget it in 6 months after enough additional content is consumed to push it out for space.

Grindhouse-style shocks.

[robfollower · 8/10 · 6 May 2019]

Director: Daniel Stamm Writer: Kent Kubena Stars: Natalie Martinez, Matt Lauria, Arnie Pantoja

A pair of office workers get trapped in an elevator over a long Valentine's Day weekend, but what at first promises to be a romantic connection turns dangerous and horrifying.

This film was intense. Basically only two actors one male (Matt Lauria) and one female (Natalie Martinez). I enjoyed the excellent character development and the grindhouse-style shocks. This episode offered real suspense, violent fun, and a tightly effective script.

Could have been good

[Harry_Cany0n · 6/10 · 20 May 2021]

This could have been good if it was realistic. If you like shows where cute little girl can beat up obviously fit dudes this is for you.

Why is this even happening??

[alexandrea-kenney · 3/10 · 12 February 2019]

Would have been a good movie although the main premise is a guy went to jail for 6 months for involuntary manslaughter kind of kidnaps a girl he thinks is cute. Now because this girl who he knows everything about from stalking denys him and threatens jail again he goes on a killing spree of serial killer proportions... idk seems a little far to fall.

Best episode so far !

[nonsensefans · 9/10 · 3 March 2019]

Matt Laurie are fantastic in this ! I mean he looks so kind and gentlemen at first but we don't know it all could change.. The best ep so far cause it's intense, got some action and suspense and pretty dark..

Not a very Horrific Horror!

[tjb16 · 6/10 · 24 February 2019]

A little unconvincing then previous episodes.. The bad guy was so weak as a character i never felt any genuine Horror. She just kicked his ass and i never felt she was in much danger from the Wimpy fella!

Hard title to review

[jimwt66 · 5/10 · 2 October 2021]

It took me a while to figure out what to search for before I could find this. Anyway, the movie wasn't bad as far as a movie that primarily just has 2 characters for 99% of the time. With 2 characters it does get a little slow at times but that is expected. I thought about skipping this due to the limited cast but I remembered Tom Hanks in Cast Away.

It was a decent movie and well acted. I was hoping for a real twist and not have the usual ending where the victim kills the bad guys. After she tied him up and he was all bloody and filmed him "making a confession" I was thinking here comes the twist setup. They get found and the police see the video and the guy says he only said that because she attacked him and tied him up and was threatening to snip off body parts. Then she ends up in jail. Now that would have been an interesting twist but even though i was hoping for it I know it would never happen because the uproar from the metoo groups would be humongous. It wouldn't matter that it is a made up movie and sometimes there is no happy endings in movies they would not settle for something like that.

I would have given it more stars if it did have that ending because even though I would like to see something than the standard endings where the bad guy gets it I know it would almost certainly never happen so if it did it would be a huge twist IMO.

down

[sxcxlint · 7/10 · 29 January 2022]

Ironically, this movie was the best and worst thing I've seen all year. The actual plot of the movie was horrendous and honestly bad. But it was so bad that I found it hilarious and now plan on rewatching this movie time and time again. I first watched this movie when it was relatively new but got tired of it taking so long to get to the actual "Horror" I only recently finished the movie after retelling it to a friend of mine and we sat down and watched it together. In theory, the idea of this movie is really interesting, I just don't believe that it was executed correctly. Overall, I give it a 7/10 purely because my friend and I laughed about it for days after watching it.