(Three stars)

A YEAR after the horrific death of her husband and child, Sarah (Shauna Macdonald) tries to move on with her life by going extreme potholing with a group of tally-ho mates.

Some might say there are better ways to get over a major tragedy than to plunge yourself deep into some unexplored caverns in the Appalachian mountains, but each to their own.

Crawling through dingy tunnels no bigger than a hole in a Polo mint, Sarah is tormented by disturbing visions of her little girl (under those circumstances, who wouldn't be?)

The group's plans go horribly wrong when an unexpected rockslide blocks their exit route and, as if things could not get much worse, it becomes apparent the caves are infested with bloodthirsty monsters.

Numbers quickly diminish, leaving just a hardy few to battle their way to safety against the pack of savages.

Director Nick Marshall does a cracking job of making viewers feel as claustrophobic as the pot-holers and there is also a fair amount of tension and stomach-churning gore.

However, what starts well eventually deteriorates into the ridiculous - at one point Sarah is submerged in a pool of blood, only to reappear looking like an extra from Carrie.

As far as horror flicks go though, and there are some truly dreadful ones about, The Descent is better than average and certainly worth a look.

EB