Finding exactly where to stream As Above, So Below shouldn't be as difficult as navigating the literal gates of hell, yet here we are. Streaming licenses are a mess. One day it’s on Netflix, the next it’s vanished into the digital void, leaving you scrolling through three different apps just to find a movie that came out back in 2014. If you're looking to watch it right now, your best bet is usually a rental on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, or Vudu, though it occasionally pops up on Peacock or Max depending on how the corporate gods are feeling that month.
It’s a claustrophobic nightmare. Honestly, the first time I watched it, I had to pause just to breathe because the camera work in those tight Parisian catacombs is so effective it feels like the ceiling is physically dropping on your head.
The film follows Scarlett Marlowe, an alchemy scholar who is obsessed with finding the Philosopher’s Stone. She drags a crew into the off-limits sections of the Paris Catacombs. It starts as a treasure hunt. It ends as a psychological descent into a literal, subterranean Inferno. This isn’t just your standard "jump scare" movie. It’s dense with Hermetic philosophy, historical nods, and some truly unsettling metaphors for personal trauma.
The Current State of Where to Stream As Above, So Below
Right now, in early 2026, the streaming landscape is fragmented. If you have a subscription to Netflix, you might be out of luck in the US market, as it frequently rotates out to make room for original content. However, international viewers in regions like the UK or Canada often find it tucked away in the "Horror" or "Thriller" categories. Always check your local listings first because these deals change faster than a jump-cut.
For most people, the most reliable way to watch is through VOD (Video On Demand). You can buy or rent it for a few bucks on:
- Google Play / YouTube Movies (Usually the cheapest rental option)
- Amazon Prime (Great if you already have your payment info saved)
- Apple TV (Best bit-rate quality if you’re a stickler for visual fidelity)
- Microsoft Store (Often overlooked but reliable)
Sometimes, the film lands on Peacock because it’s a Universal Pictures release. Since Universal owns Peacock, they tend to pull their catalog titles back home whenever other licensing deals expire. If you’re a subscriber there, do a quick search before you drop five dollars on a rental elsewhere.
Why This Movie Is Way Smarter Than You Remember
People dismissed this movie when it first hit theaters. Critics were tired of the "found footage" trope. They saw the shaky camera and the screaming and figured it was just another Blair Witch clone. They were wrong.
The title itself comes from the Emerald Tablet, a foundational text of Hermeticism. The phrase "As above, so below" basically means that what happens on one level of reality (the spiritual or mental) is reflected on every other level (the physical). In the context of the movie, the deeper the characters go into the earth, the deeper they go into their own repressed memories and sins.
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The Catacombs act as a mirror.
Think about the character of Scarlett. She’s brilliant but driven by the guilt of her father’s suicide. When she’s in the tunnels, she isn't just running from monsters; she’s running from the image of her father and the unfinished business they had. The film treats the "hell" they find not just as a place with fire and brimstone, but as a personalized psychological prison. That is high-level storytelling for a movie that many people wrote off as a popcorn flick.
The Real History Behind the Catacombs
The Paris Catacombs are real. They hold the remains of over six million people. While the movie was the first production ever granted permission by the French government to film in the actual off-limits areas, they obviously didn't film the supernatural bits in the real ossuaries. That would be a legal and ethical nightmare.
The "Empire of the Dead" is a labyrinth of nearly 200 miles of tunnels. Only a tiny fraction is open to the public. The "Cataphiles"—urban explorers who illegally roam the restricted sections—are a real subculture. The movie captures that gritty, damp, suffocating atmosphere perfectly because it actually spent time in those limestone quarries.
Breaking Down the Found Footage Fatigue
By 2014, everyone was over found footage. Paranormal Activity had been milked dry. But As Above, So Below used the format to enhance the claustrophobia. You feel the grit. You see the dust motes in the headlamp beams.
John Erick Dowdle, the director, understood that the camera shouldn't just be a witness; it should be a character. When the group has to crawl through a tunnel filled with old bones and they get stuck, the shaky, tight framing makes your own chest feel tight. It’s an physical experience.
If you’re watching it on a streaming service, do yourself a favor: turn off the lights. Put on headphones. The sound design is half the scares. There are whispers in the background of scenes that you won't catch through laptop speakers.
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Common Misconceptions About the Ending
Wait, did they actually go to Hell?
Sort of. The movie suggests that the portal they entered was a transition point. As they descend, they pass a sign that mirrors the entrance to Dante’s Inferno: "Abandon all hope, ye who enter here."
But the "below" they find is a reverse of the world above. To escape, they have to do the opposite of what got them there. They have to face their "above" truths to survive the "below." It’s a literalization of the alchemical process—purification through trial.
Many viewers get confused by the "man in the car" or the "burning piano." These aren't random scary images. They are specific traumas tied to the characters. If you don't face your past, the Catacombs will make you live in it forever. It's a grim concept.
Where to Stream As Above, So Below: Technical Tips for the Best Experience
If you have a choice of platforms, don't just pick the first one.
Bitrate matters. Since a lot of the movie is dark—like, really dark—low-quality streams will look "blocky" or pixelated in the shadows. This is called macroblocking. If you stream it on a platform with low bandwidth, the beautiful, terrifying shadows will just look like grey mush.
I’d recommend Apple TV or 4K Blu-ray if you can get it. Even though the movie was shot to look like "amateur" footage, the digital master is quite sharp. Seeing the textures of the stone and the sweat on the actors' faces adds to the realism.
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Also, check for the "Unrated" or "Director’s" versions if they exist on your chosen platform. Usually, the standard theatrical cut is what’s streaming, but some VOD platforms offer "Extras" that include behind-the-scenes footage of the actual Paris tunnels.
What to Watch After You’ve Finished
Once you’ve figured out where to stream As Above, So Below and finished your rewatch, you might be craving something similar. It’s a specific niche: archaeological horror.
- The Descent (2005): If you liked the claustrophobia, this is the gold standard. A group of women goes cave-diving and finds things that shouldn't exist. It’s arguably more terrifying.
- The Pyramid (2014): Released around the same time, it follows a similar "explorers get trapped" vibe but swaps the French tunnels for Egyptian tombs. It’s a bit more "monster-heavy" and less psychological.
- Grave Encounters: If the found footage aspect is what you loved, this mockumentary about a haunted asylum is a cult classic for a reason.
- Borderlands (Final Prayer): A British film about Vatican investigators looking into a miracle in a remote church. It has one of the most disturbing "underground" endings in cinema history. Seriously, proceed with caution.
Practical Steps for Your Movie Night
Stop searching "free movie sites" that will give your computer a digital virus. It's not worth it.
- Step 1: Check JustWatch or Reelgood. These sites track real-time availability for As Above, So Below across every major platform.
- Step 2: If you’re a student, check if your university provides access to Kanopy. It’s a free streaming service for students and library card holders that often carries high-quality indie and studio thrillers.
- Step 3: Opt for the rental. It’s usually $3.99. That’s less than a cup of coffee for 90 minutes of high-stress entertainment.
- Step 4: Ensure your room is pitch black. This movie relies on the "edge of the frame" scares. If you have a glare on your screen, you’ll miss the subtle movements in the dark corners of the tunnels.
The legacy of this film has only grown over the last decade. It’s become a favorite for people who love "liminal space" aesthetics and "backrooms" style horror. It captures that feeling of being somewhere you aren't supposed to be. It’s uncomfortable, it’s sweaty, and it’s deeply human.
Go find it, hit play, and remember: the only way out is down.
Actionable Next Steps
To get the most out of your viewing, verify the current availability on Amazon Prime Video or Peacock first, as these are the most frequent hosts for Universal's horror catalog. If you're a fan of the lore, look up the real-life legend of Nicolas Flamel before you start; knowing he was a real person (and a real alchemist in Paris) makes Scarlett's obsession feel much more grounded in reality. Finally, if you find yourself captivated by the setting, there are several high-quality virtual tours of the Paris Catacombs available online that allow you to explore the legal sections of the tunnels from the safety of your own home—no ancient curses included.