Claustrophobia and bloody mayhem collide in the high-adrenaline horror flick The Descent. Six women (including one who lost her husband and child the year before; and one who harbors a bitter secret) spelunk in an unexplored cavern system that turns out to harbor mysterious; predatory creatures. That sums up the story; but--as with writer-director Neil Marshall's previous low-concept movie; Dog Soldiers--the plot doesn't begin to describe the riveting; stomach-lurching thrills this movie provides. The script affords the relatively unknown cast (led by Shauna Macdonald and Natalie Mendoza; both excellent) just enough room to make their characters distinct and genuine; so that when they're dropped into utmost peril our empathy is engaged as much as our fear. The dynamic direction and editing make the cavern a palpable; physical presence; even before the creepy beasts crawl out of their nooks. This is not a movie for everyone; it is extremely gruesome and will induce panic attacks in anyone with even a mild fear of closed spaces. But for anyone seeking something smarter; faster; and more wrenching than static torture-fests like Saw or Hostel; The Descent will draw you into its unsettling ooze. --Bret Fetzer