Dark Web: Descent Into Hell

Dark Web: A Descent into Hell is a clearly amateur production, but that doesn't stop it from standing out for certain elements that work surprisingly well within its limitations. Directed with remarkable restraint, it opts for a more leisurely and sober approach, something that gives it a certain identity of its own within a saturated subgenre.

The story follows Ludovico122, a YouTuber who decides to record his descent through the levels of the deep web, trying to reach the legendary "level eight", that place full of mystery and urban legends where the darkest and most inhuman things on the internet are said to happen. The idea, although not new, is attractive: a character who embarks on a journey of digital self-exposure without being aware of the price he may pay for crossing certain limits. In addition, it manages to keep the plot in about 4 or 5 scenarios without making it boring.

The narration is simple, but effective. The vlog-like structure allows for a quick immersion, making the viewer discover with the same curiosity-and then restlessness-as the protagonist. The direction does not commit excesses: it opts for a practically fixed camera or with smooth movements, contributing to creating a feeling of dry and even monotonous realism, but which plays in favor of the growing climate of discomfort.

The performances, without being professional, maintain a tone coherent with the style of the proposal, especially the badly interpreted Electra, the rest of the cast is functional.

Of course, there are clear limitations: the most extreme situations arrive late and without too much force, and the resolution is somewhat predictable, showing a shallow account of a profound story. However, the film hints that there was an intention to build something beyond the easy scare: a very light but present reflection on the limits of curiosity.

Without being revolutionary, Dark Web: A Descent into Hell manages to offer a modest but well-thought-out experience, with a more serious tone than expected and a less hysterical approach than others of the same style. For fans of digital horror or minimalist cinema, it is worth a viewing and makes up for the bad reviews on IMDb from people who expect, in an amateur production, a movie with the same action as any mainstream shitball.

I stumbled across this film being that I normally like to watch films within this type of realm when it centers on stories of the dark web, and the trouble it brings (think back to the 2018 film Dark Web: Unfriended, or the 2013 film The Den, both for which were actually disturbing).

I think anyone choosing to watch this should go into it simply focusing on the disturbing elements of the film, including the history. Set aside your expectations, distractions, and any short-attention span to fully focus on the film for what it is. Yes, it is not perfect but it does keep you curious, somewhat guessing to hold your attention until a certain point in the film, then falls flat.

The ending of the film was really disappointing for me because it was questionably incomplete. I think you may be disappointed with the ending, too, but most of the film's odd and disturbing elements that unfold with each level is meant to be visually weird. It's meant to be abnormal, odd. It shows you just how weird the dark web is in layers, and how those consumed in it find strange things fascinating.

The film touches on strange fetishes paired with isolation, depression, and paranoia with the lead character. The film will lose its audience by the end, which likely results in why ratings are mediocre. It had the potential to be better, much better, but it's not entirely bad.

I love this movie. It is low budget, but it has a different look, very creative, ingenious and the story catches you until the end. Not everyone has a million dollars to make their movies;)

The film is very different and outstanding in its way. First you think what is that but after some time it really gets you in the way it is done. I personally didn't like the ending but the film itself was really good. Highly recommended!

The direction of the film is very good, I loved its aesthetics and narrative, it is a different, magical and modern psychological horror film, I read on movie websites that compared it to "Blackmirror" and "8 mm". I have been working in the audiovisual medium for years and it is very difficult to make independent films in Argentina with low budgets and this film is very good from all its technical and artistic areas.