The Cellar (2022)

When a family moves into an old house, and the daughter disappears, the mother realises that a sinister entity dwells in the cellar.

Interesting, but standard. I remember watching Elisha Cuthbert in films when she was a teenager. Now, she is a mom of one. So, I’ll try, to the best of my ability, to pass on, objectively, constructive criticism. There are a lot of outdated techniques here, such as constant background music to enhance the fear/suspense (the picture should always suffice without it), something’s about to happen but isn’t happening, overreacting to anything, and, of course, jump scares! For example, I understand the need to create an atmosphere, but Ellie holding a candle while talking on the phone, which she could have put on speakerphone and used its torch to see much better where she is going, is irrational. And such irrationalities are scattered throughout the film.

Cuthbert was, among others, Kim Bauer in 24 (2001-2010), Danielle in The Girl Next Door, and Carly in House of Wax (2005). As much as it is hard for me to differentiate her from those roles, I must say that she does a great job as the mom of a teenage girl she once used to be, and she is a very decent actress. However, Brendan Muldowney’s The Cellar will never be celebrated as they don’t stand out due to outdated narrative and filmmaking techniques. It’ll just make you forget whatever is troubling you for about an hour and a half.

Admittedly, the “steps-counting” sequence is unexpectedly suspenseful, the mathematical equation is quite innovative, and the ending is very befitting. But the whole should always be greater than the sum of its parts. And in this case, it just isn’t.

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