As Above, So Below: Meaning, Movie Plot, and Occult Origins

Few phrases carry as much weight in both ancient philosophy and modern horror cinema as “As Above, So Below,” tying together the cryptic Emerald Tablet and a found-footage descent into the Paris catacombs. This article examines the hermetic meaning of the phrase and the 2014 film that shares its name, drawing on occult history and film criticism.

IMDb Rating: 6.2/10 ·
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 19% (critics) / 37% (audience) ·
Release Year: 2014 ·
Director: John Erick Dowdle ·
Box Office: $41.8 million (against $5 million budget) ·
Language: English

Eight key details about the film, drawn from verified records.

What Does “As Above, So Below” Mean?

Origin of the Phrase in Hermeticism

• The phrase is a modern paraphrase of the second verse of the Emerald Tablet, a foundational text of Hermeticism that likely originated in an Arabic source from the late eighth or early ninth century (Wikipedia, online encyclopedia).
• Hermeticism, attributed to the legendary figure Hermes Trismegistus, teaches that the universe operates on correspondences between the macrocosm (the cosmos) and the microcosm (the individual) (ProWritingAid, writing assistance site).
• The Emerald Tablet’s original Arabic text reads: “That which is above is from that which is below, and that which is below is from that which is above” (Wikipedia).

Literal and Symbolic Interpretation

• On a literal level, the axiom asserts a direct correspondence between the heavens and the earth, the spiritual and the material (ProWritingAid).
• Symbolically, it underpins alchemical transformation: the alchemist seeks to “as above, so below” by mirroring cosmic processes in the laboratory (Blasphemous Tomes, horror film review site).
• The phrase gained modern traction through occult writers like Helena P. Blavatsky and the 1908 book The Kybalion, supposedly by “Three Initiates” (Wikipedia).

The implication: the phrase’s ancient weight gives the film a philosophical grounding rare in found-footage horror.

Is “As Above, So Below” a Pagan Saying?

Connections to Paganism and Neoplatonism

• While the phrase is Hermetic in origin, it has been adopted by many pagan and Neoplatonic traditions because its correspondence principle aligns with the concept of a united cosmos (Wikipedia).
• No single religion claims exclusive ownership; the phrase appears in Wicca, Thelema, and various New Age practices (ProWritingAid).

Usage in Modern Witchcraft and New Age

• Modern occultists often use “as above, so below” as a mantra for ritual work that seeks to manifest change in the material world through spiritual intention (Wikipedia).
• The phrase is also popular in self-help and New Age contexts, where it encourages individuals to align their inner state with outer reality (ProWritingAid).

The implication: calling it “pagan” oversimplifies. The phrase predates modern paganism and belongs to a broader Hermetic lineage that has influenced multiple belief systems.

What Is the Main Plot of As Above, So Below?

Synopsis

• Archaeologist Scarlett Marlowe (Perdita Weeks) leads a team into the Catacombs of Paris to find the legendary philosopher’s stone, which she believes is hidden in Nicolas Flamel’s secret tomb (Blasphemous Tomes, horror film review site).
• As they descend deeper, the tunnels become increasingly labyrinthine, and the group encounters supernatural manifestations tied to their own past sins (Fright Features, horror analysis blog).
• The film is shot in found-footage format, creating an immediate, subjective perspective (Blasphemous Tomes).

Key Characters: Scarlett, Benji, George

• Scarlett Marlowe: a determined academic who inherited her father’s obsession with the stone (IMDb).
• Benji: the cameraman and comic relief, whose footage constitutes the film’s narrative (IMDb).
• George: a local expert and translator who reluctantly joins the expedition (IMDb).
• Papillon: a guide who leads them through the off-limits sections of the catacombs (IMDb).

The pattern: the film uses the catacombs as a literal and metaphorical descent into hell, where each character’s greatest fear becomes a physical adversary. It’s not a monster movie—it’s a guilt movie.

Was the Devil in As Above So Below?

Satanic Imagery and the Villain

• The film includes a hooded figure that taunts the group and is often interpreted as Satan or a demonic presence (Fright Features, horror analysis blog).
• Characters face manifestations of their own guilt—murder, betrayal, abandonment—which some reviewers see as demonic punishment (Blasphemous Tomes, horror film review site).
• The film never explicitly identifies the entity as Satan, leaving the interpretation open (Mill Valley News, student newspaper).

Interpretation of the “Devil” Character

• One reading positions the entity as the internal “devil” of unresolved sin; the film’s redemption structure suggests that confession and atonement are the only ways to survive (Mill Valley News).
• The Villains Wiki labels the hooded figure as Satan, but the film itself avoids a definitive label (Blasphemous Tomes).

The catch: the ambiguity is intentional — the film asks viewers to decide whether the evil is external or internal.

Where Was As Above, So Below Filmed?

Filming Locations: Paris and the Real Catacombs

• The production shot extensively inside the Catacombs of Paris, a network of tunnels housing the remains of over six million people (Blasphemous Tomes, horror film review site).
• Additional locations included the streets of Paris and studio sets built to replicate the tunnels (IMDb).

Use of Practical Effects and Real Underground Tunnels

• The filmmakers used practical sets and real catacomb sections to create an authentic claustrophobic atmosphere (Blasphemous Tomes).
• The presence of actual human skulls and bones on location added to the unsettling tone without requiring digital effects (Fright Features, horror analysis blog).

Why this matters: the real catacombs are not just a backdrop—they are the film’s co-star. Their history as a mass grave and a site of occult fascination makes them the perfect setting for a story about sin and redemption.

Is There a Sequel to As Above, So Below?

Rumors and Plans for As Above, So Below 2

• As of 2025, no sequel has been announced or is in production (IMDb).
• Reports of a sequel have circulated online, but no official statements from Universal Pictures or the Dowdle brothers exist (Blasphemous Tomes).

Why a Sequel Has Not Been Made

• The film earned $41.8 million worldwide, a solid return on a $5 million budget, but its mixed critical reception (19% on Rotten Tomatoes) may have discouraged a follow-up (Rotten Tomatoes, review aggregator).
• The self-contained story and conclusive ending leave little room for a direct sequel, though fan interest persists on forums like Reddit (Mill Valley News).

For comparison, other horror franchises have expanded from standalone films — see our breakdown of Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man’s Chest Explained for a franchise that grew from a single movie.

The pattern: the film’s cult status may actually benefit from its standalone nature, as each viewing feels like a singular descent.

For fans of occult philosophy, the film offers a visceral interpretation of the hermetic axiom—a descent that mirrors the internal journey of the soul. For horror enthusiasts, it’s a tight, atmospheric thriller that uses real catacombs and real fears. The choice is clear: watch the film for the adrenaline, but read the Emerald Tablet for the original meaning. Both will stay with you.