Down (Into the Dark)

Last updated
"Down"
Into the Dark episode
DownPoster.png
Episode no.Season 1
Episode 5
Directed by Daniel Stamm
Written byKent Kubena
Produced by
  • John Hegeman
  • Kent Kubena
  • Allen Fischer
  • Lauren Downey
  • Jason Blum
  • Tevin Adelman
  • Scott Fort
Featured music Matthew Margeson
Cinematography byScott Winig
Editing byChristopher M. Meagher
Original air dateFebruary 1, 2019 (2019-02-01)
Running time81 minutes
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
← Previous
"New Year, New You"		Next →
"Treehouse"
List of episodes

"Down" is an episode of American horror anthology web television series Into the Dark that aired as the fifth episode of the show's first season. It originally premiered in the United States on February 1, 2019, on Hulu. The episode was directed by Daniel Stamm from a script written by Kent Kubena and stars Natalie Martinez, Matt Lauria, Arnie Pantoja, Diane Sellers, and Christina Leone.

Contents

Plot

In a high-rise office building on the evening before Valentine's Day, Guy (Matt Lauria) and Jennifer (Natalie Martinez) have been separately working late. Apparently the last people to leave, they enter the same elevator on different floors and make small talk. On the way down, the elevator abruptly stops, seemingly due to the thunderstorm outside. With no cell phone signal, they worry they'll be stuck in the elevator together until Tuesday morning, as Monday is President's Day.

At first, the two hit it off. Guy shares his water and a bottle of wine (a gift he claims is for a client) while Jennifer shares some Hershey's Kisses she grabbed before leaving her office. Killing time, they sketch pictures of each other. As the hours pass, they decide to play a game where Jennifer suggests they should share their dirtiest intimate encounters. Guy claims he doesn't have any great sex stories so Jennifer convinces him to make one up. Using her cell phone, she records him as he relays his tale. As Guy continues, his expression becomes dark and he abrutly ends the story, insisting he was becoming aroused. He then asks Jennifer if he can kiss her, and she consents, leading the two to have sex in the elevator.

Afterwards, Guy, beliveving that they shared a special connection, tells Jennifer he could fall in love with her. Jennifer, on the other hand tells Guy that their encounter was merely casual and that she still has feelings for an ex. Frustrated by what he sees as rejection, Guy admits that his story is a lie. His name isn't Guy and he's not an office worker. Instead, he works as one of the building's security guards and has essentially been stalking her. Furthermore, he stopped the elevator with his key when she wasn't looking. He then produces the elevator key and restarts the elevator.

Jennifer is furious; angrily telling him he'll rot in jail, provoking "Guy" to stop the elevator again. They get into a physical altercation, wherein the key is accidentally broken; truly trapping them inside.

"Guy" eventually breaks through the elevator's ceiling tiles and Jennifer persuades him into letting her climb out, promising she won't call the police. Once on top of the cabin, however, she flips him off before climbing up a ladder. "Guy" then pulls himself out and chases after Jennifer. He grabs her as she attempts to pry open the doors to an elevator on a higher floor and they both fall down back into the elevator cabin. Jennifer is the first to recover and ties "Guy" up using some of their discarded clothing. Threatening to maim him with a cigar cutter from a gift she had planned to give to her ex, she makes him confess everything he told her previously while recording him on her phone for evidence for the police. This time, "Guy" reveals the truth: his name is John Deakins and he used to be a successful white collar worker. He then tells her that the sexual encounter he claims to have made up earlier was actually true. Only in reality, his passenger was accidentally killed when his car ran off a ravine. After serving six months in jail for the crash he was unable to get a promising job, so he plotted the elevator incident to get a taste of his former life.

Very early Monday morning, another security guard, Eddie (Arnie Pantoja), arrives to take his girlfriend up to the high-rise's roof. He notices the elevator's stuck and works to free the pair. John, who has untied his hands and knocked Jennifer unconscious, lures Eddie halfway into the elevator before starting it and slicing the man in half. After cleaning up, John deletes files from the security desk computer and kills Eddie's girlfriend. He then carries an unconscious Jennifer to the parking garage, stuffs her into his car trunk, and drives away.

When John stops the car and opens its trunk, Jennifer appears to be dead. However, she suddenly attacks, knocking him down. She gets into his car and begins to drive away, before reversing and crashing into a dumpster in which John has dived into. Jennifer starts to walk away, puffing on a cigar when turns and tosses the lit cigar into the dumpster, and it bursts into flames, killing John.

Production

Development

On November 27, 2018, it was reported that an episode centered on Valentine's Day and titled "Down" would air in February 2019. [1] On December 18, 2018, it was reported that the episode was directed by Daniel Stamm from a script written by Kent Kubena and that premiered on February 1, 2019. [2]

Casting

Simultaneously with the announcement of the director, it was confirmed that the episode would star Natalie Martinez, Matt Lauria, Arnie Pantoja, Diane Sellers, and Christina Leone.

Release

On December 23, 2018, a series of still images from the episode were released featuring Matt Lauria and Natalie Martinez. [3] On January 14, 2019, another image from the episode was released. [4] Three days later, another series of images were released. [5] On January 22, 2019, the official trailer for the episode was released. [6]

Reception

On Rotten Tomatoes, the episode has a score of 73% based on reviews from 15 critics, with an average rating of 6.61/10. The website's critics consensus reads: "With its clever concoction of suspense, violence, and romance, Down offers a titillating story that entertains on many levels." [7]

At RogerEbert.com , Brian Tallerico granted the episode only one star out of four, calling it the worst episode in the series to date. Writing that the script was a mess, Tallerico said "Down" fell into the outdated “sexually active characters suffer” model of the genre. [8] In a more favorable three-star review at The Daily Dot , Eddie Strait called the episode "a fleet, economical film" whose sense of humor about itself kept it from descending into cliché. [9] A generally positive review at Bloody Disgusting called "Down" a bottle episode that is "ultimately predictable fun." [10]

Related Research Articles

Patrick Lussier is a Canadian-American filmmaker and editor.

New Years Day (<i>Fear Itself</i>) 6th episode of the 1st season of Fear Itself

"New Year's Day" is the sixth episode of the NBC horror anthology Fear Itself. This episode is based on the short story The Dead Time by Paul Kane.

<i>And Soon the Darkness</i> (2010 film) 2010 American film

And Soon the Darkness, also known as Prisioneras de la oscuridad, is a 2010 American-Argentine mystery thriller film directed by Marcos Efron and starring Karl Urban, Amber Heard and Odette Annable. It is a remake of the British film And Soon the Darkness (1970). The screenplay was written by Jennifer Derwingson and Marcos Efron.

Radio Silence Productions is an American film and television production company, founded in 2011 by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett, Justin Martinez and Chad Villella. The group is known for the horror films Ready or Not, Scream and Scream VI, as well as their previous work together as Chad, Matt & Rob.

<i>Curse of Chucky</i> 2013 American slasher film by Don Mancini

Curse of Chucky is a 2013 American slasher film and the sixth installment of the Child's Play franchise. The film was written and directed by Don Mancini, who created the franchise and wrote the first six films. It stars Fiona Dourif, Danielle Bisutti, Brennan Elliott, Maitland McConnell, Chantal Quesnelle, Summer Howell, A Martinez, and Brad Dourif. The film grossed $3.8 million in DVD sales.

<i>Before I Wake</i> (2016 film) 2016 film by Mike Flanagan

Before I Wake is a 2016 American dark fantasy horror film directed and edited by Mike Flanagan and co-written by Flanagan and Jeff Howard. The film stars Kate Bosworth, Thomas Jane, Jacob Tremblay, Annabeth Gish, Topher Bousquet and Dash Mihok. Before I Wake premiered at Fantasia on July 31, 2016, and Netflix released it in the United States on January 5, 2018. The film grossed over $4.9 million worldwide and received positive reviews from critics.

<i>Frankenstein</i> (2015 film) 2015 American film

Frankenstein is a 2015 American science fiction horror film written and directed by Bernard Rose. It is a modernised adaptation of Mary Shelley's 1818 novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus. The film is told from the monster's point of view, as he is created, escapes into the modern world, and learns about the dark side of humanity.

<i>Cult of Chucky</i> 2017 American supernatural horror film

Cult of Chucky is a 2017 American supernatural slasher film written and directed by Don Mancini. The seventh installment of the Child's Play franchise, following the 2013 film Curse of Chucky, it stars Fiona Dourif, Michael Therriault, Adam Hurtig, Alex Vincent, Elisabeth Rosen, Grace Lynn Kung, Marina Stephenson Kerr, Zak Santiago, Ali Tataryn, Jennifer Tilly, Christine Elise and Brad Dourif. Cult of Chucky began production in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada in January 2017 and premiered at the London FrightFest Film Festival on August 24 the same year. As with the previous film, it was released direct-to-video by Universal Pictures Home Entertainment via Blu-ray, DVD and VOD on October 3.

<i>Castle Rock</i> (TV series) 2010s American horror TV series

Castle Rock is an American psychological horror television series, featuring and inspired by characters, settings, and themes from the stories created by Stephen King and his fictional town of Castle Rock, Maine. The series was created by Sam Shaw and Dustin Thomason, and premiered on July 25, 2018, on Hulu.

<i>Tell Me a Story</i> (TV series) 2018 American psychological thriller web television series

Tell Me a Story is an American psychological thriller television anthology series created by Kevin Williamson for CBS All Access. Based on the Spanish television series Cuéntame un cuento, it depicts iconic fairy tales reimagined as modern-day thrillers. Each season features a mostly different cast ensemble, with Danielle Campbell and Paul Wesley appearing in both seasons of the series.

<i>Into the Dark</i> (TV series) American horror anthology series

Into the Dark is an American horror anthology television series produced for Hulu, with each stand-alone episodic installment based around a different holiday. The first season premiered on October 5, 2018, and consists of twelve feature-length episodes of television films. Into the Dark was renewed for a second season, which premiered on October 4, 2019, and also consists of twelve episodes.

<i>The I-Land</i> American science fiction thriller streaming television miniseries

The I-Land is an American science fiction thriller streaming television miniseries created by Anthony Salter. The series is executive produced by Neil LaBute, Chad Oakes and Mike Frislev. The series stars Kate Bosworth, Natalie Martinez, Ronald Peet, Kyle Schmid, Gilles Geary, Sibylla Deen, Anthony Lee Medina, Kota Eberhardt, Michelle Veintimilla and Alex Pettyfer. It was released on September 12, 2019 on Netflix. The series received overwhelmingly negative reviews from critics.

Flesh & Blood (<i>Into the Dark</i>) 2nd episode of the 1st season of Into the Dark

"Flesh & Blood" is an episode of American horror anthology web television series Into the Dark that aired as the second episode of the show's first season. It originally premiered in the United States on November 2, 2018, on Hulu. The episode was directed by Patrick Lussier from a script written by Louis Ackerman and stars Dermot Mulroney, Diana Silvers, Tembi Locke and Meredith Salenger.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pooka!</span> 3rd episode of the 1st season of Into the Dark

"Pooka!" is an episode of American horror anthology web television series Into the Dark that aired as the third episode of the show's first season. It originally premiered in the United States on December 7, 2018, on Hulu. The episode was directed by Nacho Vigalondo from a script written by Gerald Olson and stars Nyasha Hatendi, Latarsha Rose, Jon Daly, Dale Dickey, and Jonny Berryman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Year, New You</span> 4th episode of the 1st season of Into the Dark

"New Year, New You" is an episode of American horror anthology web television series Into the Dark that aired as the fourth episode of the show's first season. It originally premiered in the United States on December 28, 2018, on Hulu. The episode was directed by Sophia Takal from a script she co-wrote with Adam Gaines and it stars Suki Waterhouse, Carly Chaikin, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, and Melissa Bergland.

Treehouse (<i>Into the Dark</i>) 6th episode of the 1st season of Into the Dark

"Treehouse" is an episode of American horror anthology web television series Into the Dark that aired as the sixth episode of the show's first season. It premiered in the United States on March 1, 2019, on Hulu. The episode was written and directed by James Roday Rodriguez and stars Jimmi Simpson, Mary McCormack, Shaunette Renée Wilson, Maggie Lawson, Stephanie Beatriz, Julianna Guill, Michael Weston, Amanda Walsh, Sophia Del Pizzo, Sutton Foster, and Cass Bugge.

"Chokepoint" is the thirteenth episode of the ninth season of the post-apocalyptic horror television series The Walking Dead, which aired on AMC on March 10, 2019. The episode was written by Eddie Guzelian and David Leslie-Johnson McGoldrick, and directed by Liesl Tommy.

<i>Slumber Party Massacre</i> (2021 film) 2021 film by Danishka Esterhazy

Slumber Party Massacre is a 2021 slasher film directed by Danishka Esterhazy and written by Suzanne Keilly. It is described as a "modern reimagining" of and stand-alone sequel to the original 1982 film The Slumber Party Massacre, and the fourth film released in the overall Massacre franchise. It stars Hannah Gonera, Frances Sholto-Douglas, Alex McGregor, Mila Rayne, Reze-Tiana Wessels with Schelaine Bennett, Rob van Vuuren and Jennifer Steyn. And follows a girls' slumber party which becomes a bloodbath when an escaped mental patient arrives with a power drill.

"School Spirit" is the eleventh episode of the first season of Hulu's horror anthology streaming television series Into the Dark. The feature-length episode was directed by Mike Gan, who co-wrote the episode's teleplay. It was released on Hulu on August 2, 2019.

References

  1. ↑ Morse, Chris (November 27, 2018). "Hulu Releases New Trailer for Into the Dark's Latest Installment, Pooka!". Dead Entertainment. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  2. ↑ "HuluPress Originals Premiere Dates".
  3. ↑ Ausiello, Michael (December 23, 2018). "Kingdom Reunion on Hulu: Matt Lauria and Natalie Martinez Make Love and War in Into the Dark". TVLine . Archived from the original on December 24, 2018. Retrieved December 26, 2018.
  4. ↑ Miska, Brad (January 14, 2019). "First Look at Hulu's Valentine's Day-themed "Into the Dark" Episode". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved January 18, 2019.
  5. ↑ Miska, Brad (January 17, 2019). "Nightmare in an Elevator: Images from Hulu's Valentine's Day-themed "Into the Dark" Episode". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved January 18, 2019.
  6. ↑ Collis, Clark (January 22, 2019). "Two office workers get trapped in an elevator in Blumhouse's 'Down' trailer". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  7. ↑ "Into the Dark - Season 1 Episode 5". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango Media . Retrieved February 16, 2021.
  8. ↑ Tallerico, Brian. "Into the Dark: "Down"". RogerEbert.com . Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  9. ↑ Strait, Eddie. "'Into the Dark: Treehouse' tries to blend social commentary and horror, with mixed results". The Daily Dot . Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  10. ↑ Kurland, Daniel. ""Down" is the Perfect, Twisted Thriller to Lock Yourself in With This Valentine's Day". Bloody Disgusting . Retrieved January 31, 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.