More than a decade after quietly becoming a cult favorite, As Above, So Below is getting a sequel. Universal Pictures is officially developing As Above, So Below 2, and this time the darkness beneath Paris may go even deeper.
Original writer-director John Erick Dowdle has confirmed that the script is nearly complete. The sequel will reportedly follow a brand-new team of explorers who venture into the Paris catacombs, only to discover that something far more sinister is waiting beneath the city of the dead.
For horror fans, this news feels long overdue. The first film did not explode at the box office when it was released, but over the years it gained a strong following. Viewers were drawn to its suffocating atmosphere, its clever use of found footage storytelling, and the unsettling blend of religious symbolism, Dante-inspired imagery, and psychological horror. Few films have captured the terror of being trapped underground quite the way As Above, So Below did.
One of the most memorable aspects of the original film was its descent structure. As the characters traveled deeper into the catacombs, the environment itself seemed to transform. The tunnels became narrower, stranger, and increasingly impossible, blurring the line between physical space and psychological nightmare. By the time the explorers realized they were no longer dealing with simple tunnels but something resembling a literal descent into hell, the audience was already fully immersed in the dread.
The sequel opens up an interesting creative question. Should the story expand the mythology that the first film hinted at, or should it focus even more intensely on the raw, claustrophobic terror that made the original so effective?
There is a strong argument for both approaches. Expanding the mythology could allow the sequel to explore the deeper lore of the catacombs, the alchemical themes introduced in the first film, and the idea that the underground labyrinth functions as a kind of spiritual or psychological purgatory. There is a lot of storytelling potential in uncovering why the catacombs behave the way they do and what forces truly govern them.
At the same time, part of what made the original so powerful was its restraint. The horror worked because it felt immediate and personal. The found footage format placed viewers inside the experience, making every dark corridor, distant echo, and flickering light feel real. Leaning harder into that dread could make the sequel even more terrifying, especially with modern filmmaking techniques that can push immersion even further.
Another major advantage for the sequel is the setting itself. The real Paris catacombs remain one of the most eerie and fascinating locations in the world. Miles of tunnels lined with human bones create an atmosphere that is already unsettling before any supernatural elements are added. Returning to that environment with a new story and new characters gives the sequel a strong foundation.
Cult horror sequels can be difficult to get right, especially when the original gained its reputation over time rather than through massive commercial success. Expectations tend to be high among fans who connected deeply with the first film’s tone and atmosphere. However, having the original creator involved in shaping the story is an encouraging sign.
For now, details about casting and release timing remain under wraps, but one thing is certain. The catacombs are opening again, and whatever waits in the darkness may be even more disturbing than before.
And the real question for fans remains simple. Should the sequel dig deeper into the mythology, or should it trap us in the darkness and let pure fear do the work?