The protagonist in Neil Marshall’s 2005 horror film The Descent is named Sarah.
Sarah is played by Shauna Macdonald. After a devastating personal tragedy, she joins several friends for a cave-exploration trip in the Appalachian Mountains. The expedition becomes a fight for survival when the women discover that they are not alone underground.
The film’s title refers both to the physical journey into the cave system and to Sarah’s psychological and emotional ordeal. Its horror combines claustrophobia, wilderness survival, interpersonal conflict, and creatures known as crawlers.
The Descent was written and directed by Neil Marshall and became a notable British horror success. A different ending was used for the film’s United States release, which has caused discussion among viewers and sometimes creates confusion about the conclusion. Sarah remains the central character in both versions.