Found footage is hard to do right.

In 2014, two archaeology-heavy, found-footage horror movies were released.John Erick DowdlesAs Above, So Belowis widely beloved.

Inspired byDante AlighierisDivine Comedyand actuallyfilmed in the Parisian catacombs,As Above, So Belowfelt fresh and unique.

A video camera in front of the vague silhouette of a pyramid, with an animal-like creature shown on the camera screen.

Image by Nimesh Niyomal

At the same time,Gregory Levasseurs 2014 debut,The Pyramidwas released to significantly less fanfare.

An easy, b-movie popcorn watch, dont writeThe Pyramidoff just yet.

C’mon, you knew this story couldn’t have a happy ending.

A lanky, open-mouthed ghoul popping out of a television set.

Image via 20th Century Fox

Even if the found footage falls flat,The Pyramidis astute in itsuse of jump scares.

The claw is so startling, its impossible not to jump.

The gore feels grounded and genuinely frightening, with the blood spray believably horrific.

The Pyramid 2014 Excavation of the three-sided pyramid

Image via 20th Century Fox

Even once Anubis has wrenched out Holdens heart, he doesnt die.

A bit of magic goes into keeping Holden alive long enough to see Anubis weigh his heart.

OHare plays this scene so brilliantly.

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Holden is so physically weak that hes only standing due to the chains hes kept in.

Rather than struggle or fight, OHare rolls his head, limp and totally helpless.

The audience cant help but wince for him as hes forced to watch Anubis devour his own heart.

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After a person had died, it was up to Anubis to weigh their heart.

A light heart meant the dead ascended and found peace in their afterlife.

A heavy heart was punished.

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This fascinating piece of lore adds a real gravity to Dr.

Miles Holden’s death scene.

Anubis weighs his heart before killing him and only seems to kill him once he finds Holden unworthy.

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The grim implication that Holden does not deserve a heavenly afterlife is haunting.

It also begs the question of what Holden did in life to have a heavy heart.

The Pyramidis a good movie to watch on a Thursday night with a big bag of popcorn.

Denis O’Hare

The gore and death scenes are whereThe Pyramidshines, creating some outlandish and bone-chilling ways to go.

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