“Hey, there's something down here...” Welcome to Harbour Highlights, a series of cult and classic favourites handpicked by the staff of Harbour Lights. This month, as the dark days of autumn descend, Emily takes us deep into an uncharted cave system to celebrate the 20th anniversary of The Descent. Set in the Appalachian Mountains, the film follows six women on a spelunking adventure. Spurning the traditional “tourist” caves for a more unknown one, the women soon find the system of subterranean tunnels to be far more dangerous than expecting – and that something monstrous may be lurking in the deep and claustrophobic darkness. Although director Neil Marshall wanted to try his hand at a new genre after the success of his 2002 cult horror film Dog Soldiers, the idea for The Descent was too appealing for him to turn down. Marshall argued that the films were different enough in style that it wouldn’t feel like he was doing the same thing and expanded on the differences by making the main cast all-women, a rarity in the horror genre. Citing films such as The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and The Thing as inspirations in how to build tension, Marshall made a film that builds and builds with dread and horror until – as Marshall says – “when it couldn't get any worse, [you] make it worse”. Released to crucial acclaim in 2005, The Descent quickly became a cult horror hit and remains essential viewing in a dark room on a big screen.