Deep, deep trouble
Theres something about being underground thats just creepy. Its dark, its hard to get out, and theres that unpleasant feeling that youre cut off from the rest of the world. All of those things, though, make anywhere below ground-level an ideal setting for a horror movie. Here are 20 movies that use underground locations to their advantage
Outpost (2008)
How deep is it? The action takes place in a bunker built during the second World War, so its designed to be able to withstand Allied bombs.
The explorers: A group of mercenaries hired to scout out the disused bunker and retrieve anything valuable there might be hidden inside, theyre the usual hardnuts.
What else is down there? Nazi ghosts. Because the only thing scarier than a ghost is the ghost of a Nazi occultist.
Chances of getting out alive: Minimal.
The Divide (2011)
How deep is it? Just below street level.
The explorers: Not explorers as much as refugees, the group trapped in the dingy basement were all neighbours in the same apartment block when nuclear explosions drove them underground.
What else is down there? Apart from the increasingly feral survivors, there are some mysterious soldier types. You wouldn't trust any of em.
Chances of getting out alive: When the world above ground is turning into a nuclear wasteland, reaching the surface loses some of its appeal.
P2 (2007)
How deep is it? Not very its set on the second level of an underground car park.
The explorers: Angela (Rachel Nichols) is a stressed workaholic who leaves it too late to drive home for Christmas, and ends up trapped in the car park.
What else is down there? Since its Christmas Eve, the car park is almost completely deserted. Theres just the one creepy car park attendant to deal with
Chances of getting out alive: Pretty good, to be honest.
C.H.U.D. (1984)
How deep is it? Sewer level. Yup.
The explorers: Homeless people driven underground out of necessity, plus George (John Heard), a photographer who wants to document their plight.
What else is down there? Irradiated mutant monsters. Hence the title C.H.U.D. stands for Cannibalistic Humanoid Underground Dweller.
Chances of getting out alive? Not terrible, as long as youve got somewhere else to go.
Buried (2010)
How deep is it? The film never leaves the coffin where Paul (Ryan Reynolds) is trapped, so its impossible to know. But when you cant get out of a box, it doesn't matter all that much how much dirt is on top of you.
The explorers: Victim is pretty much the only word for Paul, a truck driver working in Iraq. First he gets abducted and buried by terrorists, and then his employer and government abandon him to his fate.
What else is down there? Improbably, a snake. But thats the least of his worries.
Chances of getting out alive: None at all.
Vault Of Horror (1973)
How deep is it? Somewhere between six feet under and as deep as the underworld.
The explorers: A group of strangers, all of whom have dark secrets and recurring nightmares.
What else is down there? Eternal damnation.
Chances of getting out alive? None whatsoever.
Creep (2004)
How deep is it? The underground were talking about here is the London Underground, so its a few hundred feet below street level.
The explorers: Kate (Franka Potente) inadvertently finds herself exploring the network after falling asleep and missing the last tube home. Which is probably still less terrifying a prospect than getting a night bus.
What else is down there? Craig (Sean Harris, also known as The Creep. Not a nice chap.
Chances of getting out alive? Actually, not too bad.
Midnight Meat Train (2008)
How deep is it? Another subway horror, this one is set on the New York underground network, which again is a couple hundred feet below the street.
The explorers: Photographer Leon (Bradley Cooper), who sets out to find out why people are going missing on late night trains.
What else is down there? A secret society of reptilian monsters, plus their keeper, the Butcher (Vinnie Jones).
Chances of getting out alive? Nope.
Mimic (1997)
How deep is it? Again, this is set in the shadowy depths of the New York subway system.
The explorers: Entomologist Susan (Mira Sorvino), plus a couple of cops and some children Susans roped into finding weird bugs for her.
What else is down there? The next generation of some genetically engineered bugs, known as the Judas Breed, which were meant to kill off cockroaches and end up preying on humans.
Chances of getting out alive? Not bad, but youd want to find a different way to get to work.
