I was very excited to review this film both written and directed by Tom Paton. I first saw The Ascent premiere at Sci Weekender back in October 2019, and was virtually glued to my seat.
This film stars a few known names such as Shayne Ward(coronation street, X factor), Bentley Kalu (Edge of Tomorrow, Red2), Samantha Schnitzler (Blacksite, 50 ways to kill your lover), Alana Wallace (G-loc, Blacksite), Toby Osmond (Game of Thrones, G-loc), Sophie Austin(Hollyoaks, Misfits), Spencer Collings (Gangs of London, 400 bullets), Simon Meacock (Outlander, Fantastic Beasts 2), Phoebe Robinson-Galvin (Blacksite, Hanna), Julia Szamalek (Strazacy, Redwood), Matt Malecki (British Made, Najmro), Rachel Warren(Eve, Blackbird) and Piotr Bauman (Spies of Warsaw, Fortitude).
This film follows a special Ops squad known as “Hells Bastards”. They are sent to retrieve intel, and come across enemies, and according to their leader Will Stanton (Ward), they are to kill everyone at the camp, including civilians if necessary. Most civilians have been killed by the enemies, apart from one they have held hostage in a tent. One squad member is reluctant to kill this particular prisoner, and the prisoner warns them in her native tongue, which translates “Don’t go down”. This warning haunts one particular squad member Kia Clarke (Schnitzler) all the way through the film. Every now and then you get a flash back of the prisoner saying the warning throughout the film.
So the squad begin to ascend the staircase, and it becomes apparent that each individual squad member has to revisit their past sins, in order to survive and carry on with the assignment. This is figured out part way through the film.
As the Black Ops squad ascend the stairs, they come across what they think is their way out, an exit of some sort. What happens next will leave you slightly baffled, but also intrigued, as it becomes apparent it is some sort of portal.
Parts of this film seem to remind me of virtual reality games, or possibly an Escape Room venture. There were references to Back To The Future films that I found quite funny, and it brought a bit of personality to some characters. This film did have a few comical moments as well as blood splashing camera scenes, which I loved.
I would class this film as a bit of horror, along with supernatural and psychological aspects to it. I am saying horror because of the blood splashing camera scenes as they are graphic.
There is some repetitive elements to the film, but this shows that if you can change the past in some way, it can have consequences for the future. A bit like the butterfly effect. This does add to the story, and some people might not stick with the film, but if you do, it is one that keeps you guessing as to what the outcome would be.
I thought personally it was a great ending to the point of what was actually sacrificed, and who was sacrificed.
I did feel that there was something missing, but to be honest I couldn’t think what it was, or maybe I was just wanting more.
If you haven’t already, check out all of Tom Paton’s other films. I personally cannot wait to see what Tom Paton brings out next.
Action and Horror from Tom Paton
Movie title: The Ascent (2020)
Movie description: Special ops squad "Hell's Bastards" are sent to infiltrate a civil war to retrieve intel. The unit soon find themselves trapped on a never-ending stairwell forced to climb or die.
Date published: June 12, 2020
Country: UK
Duration: 1h 42mins
Director(s): Tom Paton
Actor(s): Shayne Ward, Bentley Kalu, Samantha Schnitzler
Genre: Action, Horror, Sci-Fi
Chrissie loves movies and spends a lot of her time with her kids at the local multi-plex watching a great selection of kids movies.
