Great horror film, but that elephant on the table

Rating: 7/10 (7 May 2007)

I am amazed that among all of these very well written reviews, no one is critiquing the underlying themes of this film. And yes, horror films can and do have them, and this one has a few. Actually, while I agree with most of these reviews that this was a great horror film, viewers might want to keep in mind that, at least in this reviewer's opinion, the plot and relational dynamics portray women metaphorically in a rather nasty, vindictive fashion. So let's check the talk about empowered women for a minute...
I mean, let's just put it out there...the Juno character quite obviously was having an affair with Sarah's husband--just listen to the DVD commentary--and as the film unfolds, it is not a leap to realize, from the various smirks and furtive glances in Juno's solo shots, that there is something else going in with her deceptive little spelunking adventure a year later. Does Juno not harbor anger at Sarah for, in effect, taking away "her" man? Does she not wish to take some sort of vengeance out upon Sarah, whose fragile state might lend itself to harm if she ends up lost with the rest of the group in uncharted caverns? And then there is Beth's admonition to Sarah about Juno, "Don't trust her." And then, of course, Juno's eventual comeuppance,with Sarah turning the tables on Juno by becoming the vengeful predator rather than the prey as intended. I didn't make this stuff up, I personally have much more respect for women, but it's really right there in front of us. What does all this say about women and the nature of their relationships?
And in what context are all these catty, hell-hath-no-fury-like-a-woman-scorned themes played out? Strange that there is an abundance of "penetration" happening throughout this film, from the opening car accident to the women writhing through those somehow-strangely-familiar-shaped holes in the ground and tunnels below, to thumbs in eye sockets, to pick axes in legs. And then those white, slithery creatures slinking through the holes after them to eat them? I felt like I needed to smoke a cigarette when the movie was over. But seriously, one is left with the sense that women first are reduced to primal vengeance and jealousy by all this "penetration" and those responsible for it, and then, inevitably are destroyed by it. Hmmm.
So, feminists and post-feminists take warning. Or maybe this film proves your point, I don't know. Still...really a fantastic horror film.