Reviewed by Ian

In the early hours a pair of lovers investigate a strange light in a pub undergoing renovation, with dire consequences.

I'll get my caveats out of the way first and then go on to the overall impression. The plot/idea of the story is a bit of a cliche, and the title is not conducive to the atmosphere of horror. The ending is easy to work out from very early in the story. The story is well-worked though, and I don't think the innate predictability of the story line is out of place. The inevitability of the outcome in this case adds to the suspense and the build-up of horror.

Mick does an excellent job of taking us gradually from secure, safe, commonplace, suburban Melbourne into an inner metaphoric cellar of hell.

I suppose, it being a horror story, that a bit of graphic bloodthirstiness could add to the impact of the ending, but I quite like it as it is.