The Best Submarine Horror Movie You Didn’t Know Exists Gets Excellent Restoration
4K restorations are becoming increasingly common, but Below is the type of movie you might expect to fall through the cracks. The supernatural horror film set on a World War II submarine has been largely forgotten despite its unique premise and a few big names behind its creation. The film has received an unexpected restoration on both standard Blu-ray and 4K Blu-ray complete with some nifty special features.
4K Blu-Ray Filled With Extras
The re-release of Below restores the movie from its original camera negative and is coming out in two versions, Blu-ray and 4K Blu-ray. The Blu-ray version comes with deleted scenes, a behind-the-scenes featurette, and an audio commentary from the film’s stars and director. Unfortunately, the slightly more bare-bones 4K HDR version doesn’t include the behind-the-scenes featurette or the deleted scenes.
Below is a World War II horror movie set on a haunted submarine patrolling the Atlantic Ocean. The submarine is haunted by a malevolent spirit that causes the seemingly accidental deaths of several crew members. While its plot is straightforward, the claustrophobic setting is a unique spin on a classic ghost story.
A Flop At The Box Office
Below was far from a hit movie when it came out in 2002, failing to earn back its budget by a wide margin. Produced on a $40 million budget, it earned only $2.6 million at the box office, making it a major flop financially speaking. Given its poor performance, it’s unsurprising that the horror film has been largely forgotten, though this restoration could help turn it into a cult hit decades later.
While Below may not have been the blockbuster movie to beat in 2002, it was received fairly well among critics. The film’s unique setting and visual style were generally praised by critics, even if some found its premise too silly. With a score of 66 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, the 4K restoration may be the perfect time to revisit and re-appraise the film.
The Cast
If you need another reason to give Below a chance, the movie features some great character actors, including Zach Galifianakis. It also features Matthew Davis, Bruce Greenwood, Olivia Williams, Scott Foley, Jason Flemyng, and Dexter Fletcher. The movie could be worth checking out just to see Zach Galifianakis acting in a horror movie, years before The Hangover made him into a household name.
From A Director Who Knows Sci-Fi Horror
There’s also some notable talent behind the camera for Below, which has a notable director and surprisingly well-regarded writer. The forgotten horror film was directed by David Twohy, best known for his sci-fi horror hit Pitch Black and its sequel The Chronicles of Riddick. Shockingly, the script was penned by Darren Aronofsky of Requiem for a Dream fame, making the fact the film flopped so hard even more surprising.
Releasing In November
4K restorations are always a great excuse to go back and check out films that didn’t make much of an impact when they first came out. Below is exactly the kind of fun, high-concept horror movie that could turn out to be a hidden gem. The film is being re-released on November 26 on both 4K Blu-ray and standard Blu-ray.
Source: Blu-ray.com
