Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Beneath Us All’

9/25/2023

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Angelina Danielle Cama, Emilia and Hannah Wallen and Malachi Myles as Julie, Erica, Sarah, and Stephen in ‘Beneath Us All’. (Photo and Poster Art Courtesy of Painted Creek Productions.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Beneath Us All’. Also, this piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the movie being covered here wouldn’t exist.

If there is one particular question that we as a species ask, in the most unfortunate manner, it would have to be… why do people turn to evil? Because human beings aren’t born evil, in fact, we are quite cute when we are swaddled and placed in our parents’ arms after tasting oxygen for the first time. And as kids we do some pretty amazing things and make some equally as amazing observations about the world. But somewhere between that cute phase and adulthood, something changes… something that makes some people jaded and eager to cause harm and well… the first chance they can, they do, and they leave us stunned in the process. Because we simply cannot believe they made that decision… or perhaps it is more of a case… of we simply don’t want to see.

Which would mean that the answer to our question is right in front of us, in the plainest of sight and well… it is. For it is no secret what turns people evil. It all relates to our life experiences, the interactions we have and how we process that, alongside a lack of something critical to prevent it from taking hold within a person. Thankfully… we are starting to look at what those experiences are, how those interactions turn a soul sour, so we can begin to step in and stop evil before it grows and believe it or not, television and film, and all of popular media really, are offering up stories that help us to understand that, so we no longer feel helpless and can perhaps do something if we came to see evil forming in close proximity. And it just so happens, that new horror feature out there, does just that in a dynamic and entertaining manner in Beneath Us All.

A feat that this film accomplishes by introducing us to a young woman named Juile. Who is a good person at heart and wants to do wonderful things in this world but feels trapped and understandably so. For she is also, a foster child that is barreling toward her eighteenth birthday and well… despite having dreams and wants, Todd and Janelle Gibbs, her foster parents… tear her down at every turn. In part because they are rotten human beings, and only care about their interests. But more so because, they believe that Julie is great with her foster-siblings and if she were to stay, she could help them keep those checks coming and raise them herself. Of course, they hint at her having a better life, but that’s all an abusive tactic that leaves Julie lost and worried that her future will be bleak, to keep her in place, and sadly… the only hope she has for a better tomorrow, comes in the form of a stunning discovery. For she has stumbled upon an ancient evil, one that feels a kinship with her and encourages the worst in her. But that makes her feel as though she belongs at last and sadly… if she doesn’t soon realize why this creature is eager to nurture her worst, any hope she has of a better tomorrow will fade.

Which at first glance, appears to be a story that is grounded in concepts of good versus evil and mysticism and the choices we make. And there is merit to that, since the evil in question, Frey, is an ancient Viking monster that feeds upon flesh and of course… is freaking evil. But the devil is in the details here and the answers to our question lie in Julie’s journey and Frey’s actions. Because in essence, Julie is an abused foster child. One that takes verbal abuse nonstop from two trash individuals that should never be near kids. But hey, they’re in it for the money and don’t care what they have to do to get it, and that attitude and that abuse helps us to see how evil is forged in our world. Because little by little, Todd and Janelle snuff out the light in Julie, and replace it with fury and pain. The kind that begins to push her to embrace the dark things that Frey speaks to and offers her. Which allows for her journey to point out to us… that our cruelty, our inability to choose good at all times, creates evil in our world. For the unresolved traumas of the wicked and the bitterness they carry is projected onto the vulnerable who in turn… embrace that vitriol and transform before our eyes. Making this a grand tragedy of sorts, one that exposes a problem in plain sight.

But there was also mention that there is one other contributing factor to this issue, and well… that is explored via the character Rebecca. Who is a social worker hellbent on saving kids and their futures and sadly… she is hamstrung by the system in providing better aid. A move that helps to exacerbate a great deal in this story and also speaks a hard truth. In that, we don’t do enough to protect individuals that are at risk of this kind of abuse or abuse in general, and that too… helps to create ‘evil’ of sorts since so many are left to fend for themselves, nor do they have mental health resources at their disposal. But if we gave professionals like Rebecca the resources, they need… perhaps the world could achieve wonders, and well… all of these elements bring together a supremely cerebral horror story. One that deeply and painfully explores the cycle of abuse and the darkness it engenders that persists in our world, and how we pawn off the work to keep individuals like Julie safe… on folks that don’t have what they need to do so. Giving rise to a sobering story as well, one that showcases some of the modern horrors we are capable of.

However, make no mistake about it, there are still traditional horror elements to be found in this story via Frey. Since it is an old school monster, one steeped in vampiric and ghoulish Viking lore and its presence in this film allows for traditional scares to come forth, and it brings forth some scary surprises when it comes to its desire to corrupt Julie. Which means that in the end, this is a magnificent horror film that features something for everyone. For those who want meaning, you’ll find it here by way of the story’s powerful commentary on our modern world and how evil persists and if you’re wanting a good old fashioned horror story, you’ll find that too. Not to mention, you’ll find some fine acting here as well, since Kaiti Wallen brings a real honesty to Rebecca, and Angelina Daniella Cama absolutely sells the tragic conflict within Julie and of course… you can never go wrong with a horror flick that features horror legend Sean Whalen. For he steals the show as the slimy Todd Gibbs in this story, and well… in the end, this is a horror film you absolutely need to see. Because it’s scary, it’s engaging and it leaves you with a lot to ponder upon, when it comes to what an individual can do to quell the evil that is beneath us all.

Watch ‘Beneath Us All’

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