RIFF invites you deep underground… if you dare!
Cave Cinema is always one of the most talked-about special events at RIFF, and this year we’re finally screening the film most often requested for this setting. Reykjavík International Film Festival will take its audience on a true horror ride far beneath the surface when The Descent Neil Marshall’s The Descent is screened inside Raufarhólshellir Lava Cave on 3th of October, 2025. This is a unique screening where film and the dark side of nature merge into an unforgettable experience—something almost out of this world. It’s an event you won’t forget… and won’t want to miss.
A horror story that burrows under the earth—and under your skin
The Descent (2005) is a pitch-black, nerve-shredding horror film by director Neil Marshall that has earned its place as one of the most influential horror movies of the 21st century. The story follows six adventurous women who set out on a cave expedition deep in the Appalachian Mountains. What begins as the adventure of a lifetime quickly turns into a nightmare when the cave entrance collapses and the group finds themselves trapped in an uncharted underground labyrinth. Worse still—they are not alone in the darkness.
The film plays with multiple primal fears: darkness, claustrophobia, the unknown, and—perhaps most chillingly—doubts about how far you can really trust your closest friends. Marshall masterfully tightens the suspense—strings pulled taut as a violin—keeping the audience captive in suffocating darkness where tension builds by the minute. With striking visuals, haunting sound design, and powerful performances, The Descent has secured its status as a modern classic of horror cinema.
The perfect setting – nature as the movie theatre
Raufarhólshellir is one of Iceland’s longest lava tunnels, stretching over 1,300 meters, providing an eerie, natural backdrop for horror. Here, darkness isn’t just part of the film—it’s part of the screening itself. Viewers will journey underground to watch the film in a one-of-a-kind atmosphere, where sound and space amplify the fear in ways no traditional cinema could.
This event is part of RIFF’s mission to take cinema beyond conventional screening spaces, creating unexpected and unforgettable experiences for audiences. RIFF’s Cave Cinema has already attracted international attention, and this screening of The Descent The Descent inside Raufarhólshellir promises to be one of the most memorable highlights of RIFF 2025.
And for families…
Besides this thrilling screening, RIFF also invites families underground for a magical Cave Cinema experience. On September 28, Ira Carpelan’s stop-motion animation, The Exploits of Moominpappa – Adventures of a Young Moomin (2021) will light up the Lava Tunnel with warmth and wonder. The film follows young Moominpappa as he recounts his youthful escapades to Moomintroll, who is navigating the challenges of growing up. A heartwarming story told in Icelandic, screened in the enchanting underground setting of Raufarhólshellir. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Limited tickets – secure yours early
Due to the cave’s unique conditions, tickets are strictly limited, so we strongly advise securing yours as soon as possible. Tickets are available at riff.is, where you can also find practical information about transport, equipment, and safety measures.
Be there when cinema and nature collide in the earth’s darkness. Join us in Raufarhólshellir on 3th October and experience The Descent like never before—if you dare. október og upplifðu The Descent og Ævintýri Múmínpabba – Æskuævintýri Múmínálfsins eins og aldrei fyrr – ef þú þorir.