Down

Elevators in a New York skyscraper start behaving like restless machines, trapping riders and turning routine trips into near misses. Mark Newman, a hands-on elevator technician, notices a troubling pattern as incidents mount and his superiors at the company that built the lifts dismiss his concerns. At the same time, Jennifer Evans, a determined reporter, follows a parallel thread, chasing lead after lead through the building and its tenants. As more rides fail and grisly deaths pile up, the law enforcers take the case, initially pointing to terrorism. Yet the clues point toward something different, a force that resists ordinary explanation. City authorities, wary of exposing corporate missteps, clamp down, deepening the mystery and heightening the danger for everyone involved.

Directed by Dick Maas, Down was released in 2001 featuring James Marshall, Naomi Watts, Eric Thal, Michael Ironside, and Edward Herrmann. The film was produced with a budget of 15 million dollars and shot in NYC locations to emphasize realism.

Critics offered mixed notes, praising the film's taut pacing and practical effects while noting uneven character arcs. The premise uses a metropolitan elevator crisis to probe trust in institutions and the fragility of modern infrastructure, blending a procedural investigation with creeping dread and a sharp eye for urban paranoia today.

Down did not earn notable awards, reflecting its niche status among genre productions. There were no major nominations recorded, and the film faded quickly from mainstream conversations. Naomi Watts would later ride a wave of recognition after moving into higher profile roles.

The film has a modest cult following among fans of early 2000s thrillers, with its elevator set pieces cited by enthusiasts of practical effects. It remains a curiosity in Dick Maas's career and a niche entry in urban horror, noted for its limited distribution and quiet footprint worldwide.