Review of Into the Dark: Down

By Dave B.

In Into the Dark: Down (Hulu) Jennifer and Guy, two office workers, are stuck in an elevator over a long Valentine’s Day weekend. Facing the prospect of over 80 hours stuck together, with wine and chocolate as their primary supplies, the pair quickly bond. But eternal bliss is not in the cards. As the truth behind their entrapment becomes clear, Jennifer and Guy find themselves trapped not only in an elevator, but also in a deadly battle of wills.

The two stars of Down, Natalie Martinez and Matt Lauria, drag this installment of Into the Dark kicking and screaming up to the level of mediocre. Their onscreen chemistry is strong and the dynamic between their characters is interesting to watch. That’s extremely fortunate because, for the most part, Down is dreadfully predictable and filled with slasher movie clichés. It’s so predictable, that it’s hard to talk about the episode without giving spoilers. That said, the protagonist wastes several chances to gain assured safety and foolishly taunts the antagonist instead of just escaping. Down can be extremely frustrating because it lacks the experimental feeling that Blumhouse brings to many of its productions. For most of its 82 minute runtime, it’s pretty much standard stalker fare. That said, the end was extremely satisfying, despite also being a surprise-free zone like the rest of the movie.

Into the Dark: Down is easily my least favorite of the “Into the Dark” series. Without the mostly believable performances and clear chemistry between Martinez and Lauria, this installment would have been a disaster. What tends to make Blumhouse special is that they’re willing to take risks and try something new. The new idea might not always work, but it’s often a commendable effort and worth checking out, just to see a new twist on an old idea, if nothing else. Down does not fall into that category. It lacks any semblance of originality. If you’re a fan of “Into the Dark” and have to miss one episode, thus far, this would be the one.  

Rating: 5/10