AS ABOVE, SO BELOW (2014) Movie Review

A modern day Dante's Inferno.

Matthew 7:13 says, "You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way." -NLT

As Above, So Below is a terrifying, modern-day exploration of Dante's Inferno where a team of ambitious explorers descend into the Paris catacombs in search of treasure. The fabled Philosopher's Stone is believed to turn metals to gold and grand everlasting life. However, an ambitious search for this mythological rock quickly becomes a fight for survival in the grandest life lesson of all.

Salvation
"Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life." ( 1 Corinthians 15:22 NLT)

Scarlett is a woman obsessed with finding the Philosopher's Stone. Her focus on her materialistic pursuit causes her to lose sight of her spiritual welfare. Even worse, she recklessly leads a team of explorers through the nine layers of Hell (Limbo, Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Anger, Heresy, Violence, Fraud, and Treachery).

Here, in the dark, ominous depths of the world's largest grave, each member of the team endures punishment for their past sins. Some members of the team don't confess their sins. They don't take responsibility. Thus, they die and remain in Hell.

The survivors, on the other hand, only survive after confessing their sins. They admit remorse. They take responsibility. Finally, Scarlett learns that the power of eternal life comes from within, not from the Philosopher's Stone.

Finally, they make a literal leap of faith. A leap that either kills them or leads them to freedom.

As Above, So Below is honestly one of the most terrifying in modern cinema, because it forces us to acknowledge the most terrifying subject in theology. Hell. Eternal damnation. Death of the soul. The topic is highly avoided, yet perfectly avoidable.

Salvation through Jesus
Matthew 10:28 says, “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell." ( Matthew 10:28 NLT)

Let us not be afraid. Let us embrace Christ. Embrace love. Embrace salvation.