Podcast Summary: Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes Present

Episode: Deep Cuts Horror Hit List #5 “The Descent”
Date: October 27, 2025
Hosts: Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts

Overview

In this top five installment of their Halloween Horror Hit List, Amy Robach and TJ Holmes dive deep—literally and figuratively—into Neil Marshall’s 2006 film The Descent. The hosts discuss what makes this British cave-horror film stand out nearly 20 years after its release, why it’s essential horror watching, and who should (and shouldn’t) dare to see it. The conversation is energetic, personal, and full of mutual enthusiasm, offering both thoughtful critique and entertaining anecdotes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Why The Descent Made the List

• Personal Connection: Amy and TJ bonded early in their friendship over a shared love for The Descent.
  • “When we discussed our shared love of this film. Yes, we knew we had a kindred spirit, at least.” (03:32 – Amy Robach)
• Film Basics:
  • Hour and 39 minutes, rated R, “horror, mystery, thriller, adventure” (04:31 – TJ Holmes).
  • Stars: Shauna Macdonald, Natalie Mendoza, Alex Reed, Saskia Mulder, Nora Jane Noone.
  • British indie production, set in North Carolina but made by Brits, director Neil Marshall.
  • Box office success: $57 million worldwide on less than $10 million budget.
• Plot Synopsis:
  • Sarah joins friends for a cave expedition after tragedy. They become trapped underground, discovering cave paintings, evidence of prior explorers, and finally, terrifying predators.

Standout Elements of The Descent

• Atmosphere and Claustrophobia:
  • The film excels in creating tension and claustrophobia before monsters ever appear.
  • “If monsters never showed up, this was a horror movie on its own.” (12:40 – TJ Holmes)
  • “Can you imagine racing against time, against batteries?” (13:31 – Amy Robach)
• All-Female Cast:
  • The unique dynamic and strong performances are repeatedly praised.
  • “The cast is… their dynamic is pretty cool. So good.” (07:43 – Amy Robach)
• Psychological Depth:
  • There’s underlying tension and interpersonal conflict, not just creature feature scares.
  • “They were fighting each other, they're fighting to stay alive, and they're fighting to get the hell out of there.” (10:06 – TJ Holmes)
• Delayed Monster Reveal:
  • Hosts emphasize the horror is built on psychological stress and group dynamics as much as from the monsters.
  • “You don't even see a creature... for the first half of the movie. Didn't we clock that?” (09:15 – Amy Robach)

Critical & Audience Reception

• Rotten Tomatoes Scores: 87% critics, 76% audience (06:34 – Amy Robach)
• Quotable Critic Reviews:
  • “Brutal, bloody and brilliantly entertaining.” (08:19 – TJ Holmes)
  • “You will feel like you have descended to the pits of hell.” (08:19 – Amy Robach)
  • “Mindless, tense fright fest” (09:04 – TJ Holmes), which Amy pushes back against for missing the story’s depth.
  • “No one really enjoys nausea. But for those of you who brag that a horror movie is so scary that it made me sick, here is the Descent.” (10:33 – Amy Robach)
• Memorable Audience Feedback:
  • “Claustrophobically terrifying. One of the best horror movies ever made.”
  • “I am now officially scared of the dark... I knew I regretted watching this.” (12:12 – Amy Robach)

The Gore & The Scares

• Intensity:
  • This is not one for faint-of-heart or those who dislike gore.
  • “All the weapons are sharp, all the deaths are brutal. The injuries are even... tough.” (23:50 – TJ Holmes & Amy Robach)
  • “This to me is stuff of nightmares.” (23:55 – Amy Robach)
• Survival Elements:
  • “If you love survival adventure-type horror movies, that's got that element to it as well. A race against time, a race against creatures and a race against just even your own conditions.” (23:07 – Amy Robach)
• Creature Design:
  • Unique, effective, and not overly fantastical. “It’s exactly what you think subterranean cave dwelling, flesh eating things would... half human what they would look like.” (22:50 – Amy Robach)

Fun, Anecdotes, and Viewing Advice

• Watching Alone or Together:
  • Amy watched it solo on maternity leave—regrets her choice!
  • “It is better to watch with someone. Oh, yeah, absolutely.” (24:48 – Amy Robach)
• Best Atmosphere:
  • Must be watched “in the dark,” with lights off for full effect. (22:50 – TJ Holmes)
• Snacks to Pair (or Avoid):
  • “Medium rare filet mignon is not something to pair with this movie. It was a big mistake.” (25:46 – Amy Robach)

Where to Watch

• Available on Amazon Prime, and The Descent 2 is there as well for a back-to-back double feature. (26:00 – Amy Robach)

Bonus Recommendation

• Both hosts advocate for seeing The Descent 2, considering it a worthy sequel and “twofer” (08:03 – TJ Holmes).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Watching While Claustrophobic:
  • “Look, I'm claustrophobic, I have to say. Heights don't bother me. But... the idea of having to go into a submarine scares the bejesus out of me.” (06:34 – Amy Robach)
• The Core Horror:
  • “You find yourself breathing hard watching this. It was a horror movie before the creatures.” (12:40 – TJ Holmes)
• On Creature Reveal:
  • “You're scared for them just being trapped, let alone having a sub species of humans down there attacking them. That doesn't even come to later.” (09:28 – Amy Robach)
• On Audience Impact:
  • “This is the only movie that made me so uncomfortable with the claustrophobic scenes near the beginning that I seriously wanted to leave the theater.” (12:12 – Amy Robach)
• On Who Should Avoid:
  • “This to me is stuff of nightmares. Like the creatures... can haunt you. This could keep you up at night.” (23:55 – Amy Robach)
  • “If you don't want to be too scared, this isn't. It's intense and it's scary.” (24:26 – Amy Robach)

Segment Timestamps

• 03:32 — Early friendship and love for The Descent
• 04:51 — Plot synopsis and film basics
• 06:34 — Claustrophobia and Rotten Tomatoes scores
• 08:03 — Recommendation to watch both The Descent and its sequel
• 09:15 — Delayed monster reveal and psychological horror
• 12:12 — Audience reactions and walking out of the theater
• 13:31 — Race against time and battery-powered anxiety
• 20:18 — Recap of The Descent’s place on the hit list and its strengths
• 22:24 — For creature-feature and monster-movie fans
• 23:07 — Survival-horror elements
• 23:55 — Warnings for young or squeamish viewers
• 24:48 — Best way to watch & what snacks (not) to eat
• 26:00 — Streaming availability
• 26:40 — Tease for next episode: a PG-13 horror sleeper starring Justin Long

Conclusion

Amy and TJ’s enthusiasm for The Descent is infectious, making a compelling case for why it’s a nearly perfect horror film—intense, claustrophobic, gory, but anchored with psychological realism and emotional stakes. Their mix of analysis and personal anecdotes offers practical advice for new viewers: watch it in the dark, probably not alone, keep the snacks light, and prepare for a wild ride—and maybe skip that rare steak.

Next Up:
A PG-13 surprise horror hit starring their favorite Justin Long—stay tuned for episode #4 in the countdown!