‘Earthquake Underground’ DVD Review
Stars: Matthew Gademske, Angela Cole, Houston Rhines, Tim Dorsey, Jenny Tran, Pakob Jarernpone, Deaton Gabbard, Lyindaa Russell, LeJon Woods, Cayla Black | Written by M.L. Miller | Directed by Brian Nowak
Earthquake Underground is a low-budget disaster thriller with a wild premise: a high-rise hotel under renovation collapses straight down into the earth following a massive earthquake, trapping a small group of people deep underground. Among them are an architect named Brian and his pregnant, diabetic girlfriend Amy, who must navigate the treacherous, crumbling structure to find a way to the surface.
It’s a B-movie premise that had potential to be tense and claustrophobic, but the film struggles to rise above its limitations. The characters are mostly cardboard cutouts, behaving in ways that defy logic or emotional weight. Much of the drama hinges on Amy’s urgent need for her insulin pump, which becomes a repetitive plot device. Other survivors, including a security guard and an engineer, mostly serve as filler, present only to deliver exposition or get picked off.
Performance-wise, the cast feels uneven, with some actors barely registering any urgency or depth. Line deliveries are flat, emotional moments fall short, and there’s little sense of chemistry between the leads. That’s a problem for a film that depends heavily on its characters to carry the story through narrow corridors and shaky walkways.
Visually, the film shows its budget at every turn. The computer-generated effects, especially during the initial quake and building collapse, are unconvincing. Shaky camera work and quick edits try to mask the limitations, but only highlight them more. Surprisingly, the practical gore and injury effects are more effective—there are a few moments where wounds or debris actually look painful, and not just like digital placeholders.
Pacing is one of the film’s better traits. It wastes no time getting to the disaster, and it moves briskly from one peril to the next. There are almost no long-winded conversations or melodramatic sidetracks, which is a relief compared to similar low-budget fare. A couple of late scenes even deliver brief tension, especially when escape seems within reach, though these moments are fleeting.
Earthquake Underground is by no means good, but it’s not completely without merit. As far as low-rent disaster flicks go, it’s watchable if expectations are low. It’s the kind of movie you might stumble across late at night and stick with out of curiosity. But for anyone hoping for polished thrills or strong storytelling, it won’t deliver.
** 2/5
Earthquake Underground is out now on DVD and digital from High Fliers.
