Row 19 (2021) – Terror at Thirty Thousand Feet
Row 19 is a Russian psychological horror thriller that takes the fear of flying to disturbing new heights. Directed by Alexander Babaev, the film traps its viewers in the claustrophobic, metal belly of an airplane during a storm, where something evil is lurking just beyond the turbulence.
The story follows a young female doctor named Katerina, who boards a nearly empty night flight with her daughter. At first, things seem off—the passengers are strangely quiet, the crew is unsettlingly vague, and a thick sense of dread creeps through every aisle. But when supernatural visions begin to torment Katerina, it becomes clear that this flight is no ordinary journey. Memories of her own traumatic past begin to unravel, merging with the terrifying hallucinations that blur the line between reality and nightmare.
The title Row 19 refers not just to a seat number, but a symbolic place of trauma, guilt, and death. As the film progresses, the airplane itself seems to warp, becoming a purgatory in the sky where sins and secrets refuse to stay buried. What begins as a routine flight transforms into a surreal descent into madness.
Visually, the film uses tight, dimly lit spaces and disorienting camera angles to intensify the sense of confinement and fear. Flashbacks are woven seamlessly with present horror, creating a fractured narrative that keeps viewers questioning what’s real.
While Row 19 follows familiar horror tropes, its unique setting and psychological layers give it an edge. It's not just about monsters in the dark—it’s about the demons we carry with us, even at thirty thousand feet. For fans of atmospheric horror with a slow burn and emotional undertones, Row 19 offers a haunting, high altitude nightmare that lingers long after landing.
