Nerds That Geek Movie Review – ‘Gehenna: Where Death Lives’

Written by Scott Edwards

​Everybody has a skeleton or two in their closet and that is not a bad thing. As life has never been said to be easy, we all make mistakes along the way and that is natural. Own it, learn from it and move on, since what you learn from past experiences turns you into the person you are today. While it is easy to be ashamed with something you did in the past, if you are willing to own it and move on, you will become a better person because of it, since life is all about learning.
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After getting off of the phone with her boss, Paulina is in need of something to make a splash at the office and is hoping that her contact in Saipan has the perfect spot for what could possibly be a new resort. Chatting with her co-worker Tyler about what the plan will be, she is shocked to see that her old videographer has gone island native. Making fun of young Dave for not knowing what is said on his shirt, the group is joined by Alan and his guide Pepe who have the perfect place for the new resort to be built, since the locals no longer visit the area. 

Arriving at a gated road, Paulina and Pepe spot a doll tied to the gate that was left by the locals.  Knowing that the doll could indicate something good or something bad, neither of them know for sure, so they decide to move on to their final destination. Stopping at the end of the road, Tyler and Paulina become privy to the view of a lifetime that only the locals came to know before the area was deemed cursed. Not believing in the folklore that the locals have been saying about the place since it is perfect and not traveled by anyone anymore, Paulina has Dave do some aerial shots of the area, but they quickly come to find out that they are not alone. 

Confronting a couple of locals who have appeared out of nowhere to pray, Paulina finds out that there is an old war bunker on the property and needs to check it out. Opening the door to the old war relic, the group stumbles across a couple of bodies that do not seem to be as old as the bunker. As accusations are thrown around as to who they are and if Alan locked them in the bunker, they find out once again that they are not alone. Meeting a man who has been able to survive in the bunker for many years on his own, he has a message for the group, that only one can live. As the old man dies, the group is ready to leave, but an earthquake disrupts this attempt and when the group comes to, they find out that they are trapped in the bunker with only one possible way of escaping the torment that waits for them.

Talk about a movie that gives you some great beach views then throws you into the bowels of darkness. From the beginning, there is little trust in the group with the exception of Pepe and Alan, but once things start to go sideways, all bets are off the table. I liked how there was a little history between Alan and Paulina and how she wants to keep it a secret. The bunker coming alive was pretty cool, especially when you get to see what it is looking for out of each person that enters it. With a great beach, local lore, a bunker, dreams becoming reality, dolls, some gun fire and plenty of blood, this is a movie that will leave you praying for mercy. While I do like to explore old places that have been abandoned on occasion, I will now think twice about entering any place that has a solid door, because damn, this movie puts it front and center as to what could happen if you step behind one. Stay Scared. 

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