Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Catacombs’

Written by Scott Edwards

I have always been fascinated by Europe for one reason, the history that surrounds the region. With so many places that I wish to visit, Paris currently tops the list. I know everybody is filled with wonder that this would be my choice, the city of love, I mean, what would Scotty do there? I actually would love to go to the underground and explore the catacombs underneath the city and get a feel for what it means to be in the presence of over six million lost souls. Yeah, that is what I would want to do in Paris when I go, that and also learn some words in French so I could yell them at people when I got back home.

Traveling to Paris to visit her sister, Victoria has completely left her comfort zone. Suffering from anxiety, she has to keep a close eye on what is happening around her, along with her pills. Meeting her sister Carolyn at the airport, Victoria has no idea what will be happening later on in the night. Arriving at the cheap loft apartment where Carolyn lives, she starts telling a story of what happened there back in the day with grisly murders taking place. As Victoria starts to envision the deaths in the lofts, her sister sees that not much has changed from their youth, Victoria is still a push over.

With a party being held that night, Victoria wants to pass, but is convinced by Carolyn and her friends that it is a night that she will never forget. Getting to an entrance to the catacombs, Victoria does not know what she has gotten herself into, but when getting to the actual party, she can see why so many people like to attend. With the party never being held in the same spot twice, the vastness of the catacombs keeps the party goers out of trouble with the law and is rarely interrupted. Listening to Jean Michele talk about the reason why he puts on the parties, Victoria is drawn away from her fear of the dark, as long as she can be near him.

Leaving the main floor to a little retreat with Carolyn’s friends, Victoria listens to the stories about the catacombs and how people come down and never make it back to the surface, but that is not the true scare for her as she hears about a man that was born in the depths of the city and has only been trained to kill and feast off of the mortal body. Thinking this is just a legend, Victoria finds out firsthand that this goat head wearing monster is real as he kills her sister right in front of her. Trying to get help, Victoria is able to locate the party, but the police arrive at the same time and she gets lost in the craziness. Wandering around on her own, Victoria runs into another lost individual trying to get back to the surface as well. But there is something different about this Henry that she is now traveling with, although Victoria cannot seem to get a handle on it yet. Searching the tunnels for many hours and running from the dark that is closing in, Victoria needs to find a way to safety before she becomes a permanent resident of the catacombs herself. 

I have been told several times to watch this movie by my friend and it finally showed up on one of my many channels. So yes, I do take advice on what to watch, especially if they give me a warning about what happens. This is a solid little movie, and the one thing that kept it going was the story. I really liked seeing how Victoria had to leave her comfort zone and when she no longer had the anxiety medicine to keep her calm, she pretty much kept it together. Henry was a great counterpart for Victoria, not only because he was in search of the same thing she was, but because he made her open her eyes to what the catacombs actually hold and can do to people. I enjoyed this movie maybe a little too much and now I really want to get into the Paris underground, but might need to bring a GPS or something so I can get out alive. Stay Scared!

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