Down (The Shaft) (2001)

22% of users liked it
(2,227 ratings)

At the Millennium Building in NYC, the elevators have a problem... they just can't stop killing people! Pregnant women, skater dudes -- they're all on the menu for these possessed motorized beasts. As elevator repairman Mark Newman (James Marshal) delves deeper into the mystery, everyone from his… More At the Millennium Building in NYC, the elevators have a problem... they just can't stop killing people! Pregnant women, skater dudes -- they're all on the menu for these possessed motorized beasts. As elevator repairman Mark Newman (James Marshal) delves deeper into the mystery, everyone from his boss to the building manager stand in his way. His only help comes from Jennifer Naomi Watts, a nosy reporter that smells a cover-up when she sees it. As the "accidents" pile up, the President and FBI get involved as the heroic couple come face to face with technology gone horribly, horribly wrong. Down is a direct remake (shot for shot at times) of director Dick Maas' early 80's cult flick The Lift. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 49 min.
Directed By: Dick Maas
Genres: Action & Adventure, Horror, Mystery & Suspense, Science Fiction & Fantasy

In Theaters: Sep 6, 2001 Wide
On DVD: May 20, 2003

Critic Reviews

Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com
Great little B-movie horror with Naomi Watts stealing the show.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
If you paid to see this flick, I think it's fair to say you got the shaft.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

John M

Just watched this. Naomi Watts actually didnt do too bad for a B movie flick and shows some of the stuff that will eventually land her the bigger roles later. A fun horror flick if such a thing exists. Not great not horrid. Just there.
Robert C

Don't let the cast of (fiarly well known) character actors and (future) big name stars, fool you. This film is a complete insult from beginning to end. Everything from the ridiculous premis, bad writing, sub-par acting to the use of every cheesy character profile and trite… More
Don't let the cast of (fiarly well known) character actors and (future) big name stars, fool you. This film is a complete insult from beginning to end. Everything from the ridiculous premis, bad writing, sub-par acting to the use of every cheesy character profile and trite plot "twist" ever seen on film..is a little insulting. Naomi Watts and Ron Perlman should thank their lucky stars that this didn't end up being the "career breaker" that it should have been. I almost want people to see it so they will know JUST how bad it really is! I guess it's human nature? Kind of like when you taste something bad and say to your friend "OH!....taste this...it's horrible!
Jacob P

A very good horror flick with an interesting plot.
Alec B

It's an absolute disaster of a film, I mean an elevator that KILLS people . . . BUT I'd still tell you to see it with a large group of people to mock it. It definitely falls into the "so bad its hilarious" category. The fact that Dan Hedaya's first line of the… More
It's an absolute disaster of a film, I mean an elevator that KILLS people . . . BUT I'd still tell you to see it with a large group of people to mock it. It definitely falls into the "so bad its hilarious" category. The fact that Dan Hedaya's first line of the film is "I hate elevators" is fucking gold. But it is still a shit movie.
Doctor S

Really bad. Really, really bad. Almost as bad as Naomi Watt's Noo Yawk accent. This movie will give YOU the shaft.