If you’re like most viewers, you probably finished As Above, So Below feeling confused, creeped out, and full of questions. Was it Hell? Some kind of deep spiritual trip? Or just one long, terrifying nightmare? Whatever it was, As Above, So Below ending was intense, and it definitely needs some unpacking.
⚠️Spoiler Alert: If you haven’t crawled through the creepy catacombs of As Above, So Below yet, now’s your chance to turn back before things get real weird!
If you made it through As Above, So Below ending without nervously checking the closet afterwards, first of all, kudos. This 2014 horror flick throws you headfirst into a dizzying descent through Paris’ underground catacombs, loaded with creepy symbols, guilt-trippy hallucinations, and a serious dose of existential dread.
But when that final scene hits – Scarlett and George climbing out of the manhole into sunny Paris – you might’ve asked, what just happened? The movie is one of those rare horror finales that doesn’t hold your hand. It leaves viewers to chew on symbolism, alchemy, philosophy, and a healthy dose of psychological terror. So let’s just dive in, only this time we’re decoding instead of screaming.
Quick Recap: What Went Down and Down and Down…
Before we move towards the ending of As Above, So Below, let’s take a quick peek into the story. Scarlett Marlowe, an alchemy-obsessed scholar with a taste for danger, sets off to find the legendary Philosopher’s stone. Obviously, the best place to look is beneath Paris – in its endless maze of real-life catacombs. She ropes in her ex-flame George, some locals, and a few camera-ready companions.
As they go deeper, reality begins to unravel. They encounter ghastly visions from their pasts, cryptic messages, ancient symbols, and even a moment that feels straight outta The Da Vinci Code. Their numbers dwindle (R.I.P., Benji), and what started as a treasure hunt turns into a full-blown spiritual and psychological survival story.
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Facing The Shadow: The “Below” Selves
And here’s where it gets juicy: each character begins facing their shadow self, a spooky Jungian term for the part of ourselves that we repress, deny, or hate. Scarlett sees terrifying visions from her past. George is haunted by the drowning of his brother. The poor guy Benji- he never stood a chance.
The film hints that the only way out is to accept these dark truths. Embrace the guilt. Acknowledge the pain, own the trauma, and only then Scarlett and George can make it to the surface.
Benji, who never gets to that point, is consumed by his shadow. A harsh but powerful metaphor.
As Above, So Below Ending Explained: What Does It All Mean?
Let’s break down the As Above So Below ending from a few angles. Each interpretation adds its own twist to the madness:
1. Alchemical Transformation
Alchemy isn’t just about turning lead into gold, it’s about inner transformation. The phrase “As above, so below” is central to Hermetic philosophy, suggesting that the microcosm (our inner world) mirrors the macrocosm (the universe).
In the movie, the literal descent underground represents a spiritual and psychological descent. The characters are metaphorically being broken down to their base elements, only to be rebuilt. Scarlett and George emerge from hell transformed. They’re purified. The final manhole scene feels like a rebirth.
2. Redemption Through Acceptance
Remember all those creepy visions? They’re not random jump scares. They’re tied to personal guilt. The catacombs become a symbolic purgatory, forcing each person to confront their worst moments. Redemption isn’t earned by escaping monsters, it is earned by accepting the truth.
Scarlett lets go of the illusion of the Philosopher’s stone. George forgives himself. Together, they choose acceptance over denial. And that’s their way out.
3. Is This Real Life? Or Just a Fever Dream?
Here’s a juicier take: what if none of this was real? Maybe the ending of As Above, So Below hints that everything, alchemy, monsters, and mirror chambers, is a psychological breakdown. A group of people pushed to their limits by claustrophobia, obsession, and trauma.
The “emergence” in a different part of Paris could be symbolic, like they didn’t physically crawl out of hell, they mentally escaped their inner demons. Creepy? For sure, but oddly hopeful.
4. Literal Hell, Literal Survival
Let’s not forget the horror fans who say, Nope, this was hell, actual hell!
Under this lens, the catacombs are a physical gateway to the underworld. The deeper you go, the less the laws of reality apply. Gravity reverses. Ghosts whisper. Mirror worlds exist.
Scarlett and George literally crawled out of Hell. That’s why it’s so quiet, peaceful, and bright when they return. It’s Dante’s Inferno with night vision goggles.
5. The Stone Wasn’t The Treasure – They Were
The film toys with the idea that Philosopher’s Stone isn’t a shiny object. It’s enlightening. Self-awareness. Forgiveness.
In the end, the ones who survive don’t do so with brute strength or clever tricks, they survive by letting go. Scarlett heals a wound without the stone, realizing the power was within her all along. But it works.
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Final Thoughts: What’s The Real Ending?
Here’s the truth: the As Above, So Below ending is intentionally vague, and that’s the point. Whether you view it as a psychological thriller, a supernatural descent into hell, or an alchemical coming-of-age story, it works.
The movie plants enough philosophical and symbolic breadcrumbs to keep you guessing long after the credits roll. And honestly, that’s what makes it so rewatchable.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Was the Philosopher’s Stone real in As Above, So Below?
Not in the traditional sense. Scarlett initially believes she finds it, but later realizes the power to heal and escape comes from within. The Stone is more of a metaphor for enlightenment and self-acceptance.
2. Why did Benji die?
Benji, like the others, is haunted by past trauma. Unlike Scarlett and George, he’s unable to confront or accept his inner darkness. His death symbolizes the consequences of emotional denial or repression.
3. What does “As Above, So Below” actually mean?
It’s a Hermetic phrase suggesting that what happens in the heavens (or the spiritual realm) is mirrored on Earth (or in the personal psyche). The movie takes this literally, showing how the characters’ inner worlds manifest in the terrifying depths of the catacombs.