One of the elements that make this a brilliant film is that it doesn’t raise and then answer questions for you. It’s a film that presents a situation that begs these questions and then leaves it entirely up to the viewer to wrestle with. I challenge anyone to go see this movie and leave without the overwhelming desire to talk about what you’ve just seen.

It’s almost impossible to believe that this film is the product of a first time writer director, but it most certainly is. NYU Film School alum, Talia Lugacy achieves a tone and an overall feel in this film that most ‘big name’ Hollywood directors could only dream of. Building from little more than an unwavering vision and the courage to follow through with it, Lugacy has created a film that will not only spark an incredibly successful long lasting career, but will doubtless be shown in those very film classes she herself just finished taking.

Certainly not alone in this arduous process, Lugacy was blessed with an inordinately talented cast of actors who weren’t afraid to embrace the darkest sides of themselves to bring this vision to life. Producing partner and friend of over 12 years, Rosario Dawson gives the performance of her career as Maya. I’ve said it many times since we first saw the film at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival, this is Rosario’s ‘I’m-not-to-be-fucked-with-as-an-actor’ role. Yes, she’s still gorgeous, probably one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood today, but that will no longer be the first thing people say about her. She gives a multi layered performance that will literally rip your heart out. The final shot of Descent is a long held close up of her face that literally encapsulates the characters entire journey through the film; all of it expressed through the subtlety of her expressions. It’s absolutely breathtaking.

Equally impressive as her attacker and eventual victim Jared is Chad Faust. Formerly only known as The 4400 guy, he is poised to burst on to the scene in a major way following this performance. He exposes himself in an emotional and physical way that only a handful of other actors would be willing to attempt. By films end, he has endured and accurately portrayed perhaps the most horrifying experience a man can bear. Firstly abusing Rosario’s character in the most emotionally destructive manner imaginable to then surrendering all control over body and soul to the final horrific scene is brave in a way that we don’t often see.

This films artistic strength will also doubtless be its commercial short coming. Don’t expect to see Descent raking in the millions at the box office this weekend, but also don’t expect it to fade away. The people who see this movie will be enormously affected by it and will end up telling their friends about it. Thanks to the magical proliferation that DVD’s allow for, this film will eventually be seen ...