Monsters (TV Series) Far Below (1990) User Reviews

Solid pulp-era chills

[Leofwine_draca · 7/10 · 7 September 2015]

I think the most interesting episodes of the MONSTERS TV show are the ones based on classic pulp-era fiction, like FAR BELOW; the source is the short story of the same title by Robert Barbour Johnson, and I think this is the only time it's been filmed.

FAR BELOW is a creepy and atmospheric little effort that fits a lot into a very short running time. The central character is an obnoxious suit trying to find out why the team running the subway are spending so much money on upkeep, and he soon learns of a sinister underground world of troglodyte creatures with a taste for human flesh.

What follows is quite predictable if you've seen DEATH LINE, CREEP, or C.H.U.D., and yet it's a lot of fun too. The monsters are effective-looking men in suits and the acting from Barry Nelson is pretty good. A nice ominous atmosphere is built up throughout. The obvious twist ending is a bit pointless but apart from that this is all good.

Beware what lies beneath

[Woodyanders · 8/10 · 25 October 2019]

Uptight suit Alex Kritz (nicely played to the irritating hilt by John Scott Clough) gets assigned to investigate why a subway maintenance crew led by Dr. Vernon Rathmore (a fine crusty performance by Barry Nelson in his last role) spends so much money on their operation. Kritz finds out that the group is harboring a dark secret.

Director Debra Hill keeps the enjoyable and engrossing story moving along at a brisk pace, generates a good deal of tension, and ably crafts a creepy atmosphere. Michael McDowell's crafty script throws in a neat macabre twist at the end. Karen Grossman's shadowy cinematography further enhances the eerie mood. The albino cannibal mutants look really cool and freaky. An on the money show.

Great episode with a nice bizarre twist.

[b_kite · 8/10 · 26 May 2021]

A nosy city accountant ventures to a underground subway maintenance center where he stumbles upon a mysterious project by a doctor to control a group of flesh-eating monsters living in the subway tunnels, with disastrous results. A really great episode I've always loved this one it's a fun fast watch and the rather sick and twisted twist ending is worth it all. Let's just say there's more going on then containing. Also was directed by Debra Hill who many know produced many John Carpenter classics including the original Halloween.

Alright Monsters episode.

[poolandrews · 5/10 · 5 July 2009]

Monsters: Far Below is set in the subway tunnels of New York where Dr. Vernon Rathmore (Barry Nelson) runs things, not only does he have to oversee the trains run smoothly but also has to deal with an infestation of mutant creatures that feed on human flesh. These creatures stay in the dark underground tunnels as bright light burns them but Rathmore & his men tries to control them as best he can & has to try to convince pen-pushing bureaucrat Alex Kritz to give his department more money & that he is the only man who can keep the creatures under control...

Episode nineteen from season two of Monsters this originally aired in the US during February 1990, directed by Michael McDowell this is quite a decent little episode. A fairly standard feeling monster themed episode about creatures living in subway tunnels Far Below starts off quite good with a decent build-up as we hear strange noises coming from the pitch black & various wires having been mysterious damaged by something before a worker is attacked & dragged off into the darkness by some unseen thing. Then the episode goes into conspiracy mode as it claims these creatures have been known about for years but 'they' don't want us to know & want to keep their existence from us to avoid panic & to avoid people not using the subway anymore before a rather bizarre twist ending which when you think about it is rather sick & twisted, just the way I like them then! Far Below is nothing groundbreaking but it entertains for it's twenty odd minute duration & that ending although difficult to get your head around is memorable, not a bad effort all in all.

Initially Far Below plays on our fears of what unseen terrors might be lurking in the dark shadows but it doesn't sustain it & once the creatures are seen it loses the scares & tension. There's a severed leg & the creatures look alright but there's not much gore here. The acting is alright & the sets are OK too.

Far Below is a decent enough Monsters episode actually about monsters & tries to be a serious horror with a creepy atmosphere which it does quite well on it's obviously limited budget & made-for-telly restrictions.