Most horror movies, no matter how frightening, usually give audiences something to hold onto: hope. Even when terrifying creatures, serial killers, or supernatural forces haunt the characters, there is often a sense that someone will survive or that good might win in the end.
This balance between fear and survival has been a key part of horror storytelling for decades. However, Catacombs, directed by Tomm Coker and David Elliot, completely removes this idea. Instead, it drags viewers into a chilling experience where hope is just an illusion.
The film follows a young woman who becomes trapped in the underground graveyards of Paris. As she struggles to escape, she faces a terrifying serial killer, and her only support comes from her sister, played by musician P!nk. Many fans of P!nk may have watched the movie expecting her to be a strong and heroic figure, but the film takes a different approach.
Rather than offering comfort, it uses the audience’s connection to P!nk to deepen the fear and despair. Her fate is not what fans might expect, and the movie delivers an ending that leaves viewers disturbed and unsettled.
A Protagonist Who Starts in Fear and Stays There
Many horror films introduce their main character as someone who will grow stronger over time. The typical “Final Girl” character often begins as vulnerable but finds the strength to fight back and survive. Catacombs immediately breaks this expectation by focusing on Victoria, played by Shannyn Sossamon.
From the very beginning, Victoria is not a brave or strong character. Instead, she is deeply anxious, flinching at every sound and struggling to feel comfortable in any situation.
Her fear only worsens when her sister, Carolyn (played by P!nk), takes her to an underground party in the eerie catacombs of Paris. The setting itself is already disturbing—an endless maze of tunnels filled with human remains. But things become far worse when a masked killer appears to murder Carolyn.
Suddenly, Victoria finds herself completely alone, chased through the underground labyrinth with no hope of escape.
In most horror films, this would be the moment when the protagonist finds inner strength. But Victoria does not transform into a hero. She remains terrified and incapable of fighting back. She spends the entire film running and hiding, making desperate decisions driven by fear rather than courage.
At one point, she even refuses to help another character escape from a trap, essentially leaving them to die because she is too frightened to act. Her fear is not just a temporary reaction—it defines her throughout the movie.
A Prank That Turns Into a Nightmare
As the movie builds tension, it makes viewers feel Victoria’s despair. The audience watches as she is pushed to her absolute limit. Every step she takes is filled with fear, and every moment brings her closer to what seems like an inevitable and horrifying end. However, Catacombs takes a shocking turn when it is revealed that the entire terrifying experience was nothing more than a cruel prank.
Carolyn had never actually been murdered. The supposed “serial killer” was just one of her friends, and the entire situation was planned to scare Victoria. Instead of comforting her, Carolyn reacts with anger, criticizing her sister for her inability to handle the prank. She scolds Victoria for being weak and ridicules her in front of others.
This moment is especially painful for the audience. The film spends so much time making viewers connect with Victoria that her suffering feels deeply personal. After watching her struggle in terror for so long, the revelation that it was all a joke makes the situation even more unbearable.
Her emotional breakdown feels real, and her sister’s cruelty makes everything worse. It is not just Victoria who feels betrayed—it is the audience as well.
Victoria, who has been completely broken by the experience, reacts in the most unexpected way possible. Instead of simply breaking down, she picks up a pickaxe and murders Carolyn in a shocking act of violence.
After an entire film of running and hiding, Victoria finally fights back—but she does so in a way that only deepens the horror. The moment does not feel like a victory. Instead, it solidifies how deeply the experience has destroyed her.
A Horror Film That Offers No Relief
Many horror movies end on a note of relief. Even if the main character suffers, there is usually some form of closure—whether it is defeating the villain, escaping the nightmare, or finding a sense of justice. Catacombs refuses to give its audience that comfort.
By the time the credits roll, Victoria has completely lost herself. The film does not frame her final action as a triumph. Instead, it suggests that she has been permanently damaged. Killing Carolyn does not bring her peace. It only makes things worse, showing that she has gone from victim to something even more tragic.
What makes Catacombs different from other horror films is that it does not rely on excessive gore or extreme violence to create fear. Instead, it focuses on the emotional destruction of its main character. The movie plays with the audience’s expectations, offering glimpses of hope only to crush them moments later.
Even in its final scenes, the film refuses to provide any reassurance. It ends with the lifeless body of P!nk’s character lying on the ground—a shocking and unsettling image for fans who may have expected her to be the strong and heroic presence in the movie. The horror does not come from supernatural forces or masked killers. It comes from the deep, overwhelming feeling of hopelessness.
A Film That Stands Out in Horror
There have been many horror films that focus on extreme suffering, but Catacombs stands apart by making its horror psychological. The movie does not just show terrifying events—it makes viewers feel the weight of its protagonist’s fear, betrayal, and despair.
Its unique storytelling and unexpected twist make it a rare experience in horror. Unlike most films in the genre, it does not allow its main character to find strength. It does not reward the audience with a satisfying resolution. Instead, it leaves them with a sense of emptiness, forcing them to sit with the uncomfortable reality of what they just witnessed.
The film’s final moments leave a lasting impact, making it one of the most unsettling horror films of its kind. With its relentless tension, unexpected twists, and complete lack of hope, Catacombs delivers a story that lingers in the mind long after the credits roll.
