A teaser trailer and poster for the independent production THE DARK BELOW have made their way online, giving an early look at the H.P. Lovecraft-inspired horrors the film has in store for viewers.
The feature debut of director Stewart Sparke and writer Paul Butler, THE DARK BELOW tells the following story:
During a traumatic accident whilst on a deep-sea dive in the depths of the Atlantic Ocean, Olive, a gifted young marine-biologist, discovers an unearthly creature. Losing her dream job, Olive smuggles the creature home, intent on studying it in her basement, unbeknownst to her devoted boyfriend Matt. Whilst struggling to re-adjust to landlocked life and recover from her recent trauma, Olive begins to realize that she and the creature share a symbiotic bond that drives her to carry out its sinister will.
Plagued by gruesome nightmares, her fractured memories of what happened during the accident in the depths of the ocean begin to unravel and reveal an eldritch horror far older and malevolent than she could ever imagine, one which she has unwittingly set free. Olive's obsession leads to madness as her discovery consumes her entire humanity, with deadly results for those around her.
Anna Dawson is said to have delivered an unsettling performance in the lead role of Olive.
The UK-based filmmakers had this to say about their film and the creatures within:
BUTLER: "We want the viewer to feel the stomach curdling dread of knowing that there are unfathomable creatures slumbering in the dark places of the world and see the consequences if we wake them."
SHARPE: "You will see the monster go through a few stages in its life cycle on its way to becoming an eldritch horror worthy of Lovecraft. Every day of shooting ended with cast and crew covered in blood and slime, which comes through in some particularly disturbing and visceral sequences in the film."
Some of that blood and slime is on display in the teaser, which features impressive visuals and makes the film look like a creepy good time.
Currently in post-production, THE DARK BELOW will be making the festival rounds and seeking distribution in 2016.