By Robert Scucci
| Published
There are countless found footage horror films like 2011’s The Tunnel occupying our streaming apps, but not all of them are created equal. The “hit-or-miss” aspect is what constantly draws me to found footage films because it’s my favorite sub-genre when done well. Leaving its source of terror to the viewer’s imagination for the entirety of its runtime, The Tunnel is gritty, gripping, well-shot, poorly lit (by design), and superbly acted, making it one of the best low-budget found footage films to come out in the last 20 years.
Leans Into Its Own Simplicity
Streaming for free on Tubi, The Tunnel follows similar beats to The Blair Witch Project, but in an urban setting.
Set in Sydney, Australia, The Tunnel’s story is told in hindsight through interviews with an investigative journalist named Natasha Warner (Bel Delia) and her camera operator, Steven Miller (Steve Davis). Aside from the playback of an all-too-real sounding 911 call from Natasha at the front of the film, we have no idea what happens underground, but we will soon find out.
Upon learning about an abandoned water recycling project spearheaded by the New South Wales government, Natasha becomes suspicious when officials suddenly stop pursuing the project despite their initial enthusiasm. Through Natasha’s research, she learns that there are homeless camps in the tunnels, and that many underground residents have inexplicably disappeared over the preceding months. Whenever Natasha asks around, officials deny that any displaced citizens were ever living underground, leading her to believe something sinister is at play.
A Cavernous Conspiracy
What was initially proposed as a means to recycle the still water found trapped beneath Sydney’s vast train network as a conservation effort becomes what Natasha assumes is a massive government coverup in The Tunnel (streaming on Tubi). Natasha assembles a small team composed of her producer, Peter (Andy Rodoreda), her cameraman, Steven, and an audio engineer known as Tangles (Luke Arnold), who are reluctant to join her because they were pulled off other projects to help with the investigation.
Not having proper authorization to enter the hidden network of tunnels, Natasha and her crew sneak in undetected. They quickly regret going underground, where their fate becomes uncertain, as they have no viable way to reach help because nobody knows where they are.
Camera Work Is A Cut Above
Since The Tunnel is framed as a documentary, the confessional scenes have a similar rhythm to the true crime specials you’d find streaming on Netflix. You know better than to get emotionally invested with certain characters because they’re not around to tell their side of the story for reasons that will become clear once the footage plays out.
This framework sets The Tunnel apart from other found footage films found on streaming because Natasha and company are experienced journalists who know how to work audio and video equipment.
When Natasha and company are running for their lives from some unknown entity, the camera work is relatively steady (all things considered), which keeps you anchored in the storytelling because you’re not trying to fight off motion sickness despite the fact you’re sitting on your couch.
A Work Of Fiction With Real Fear
The experienced crew in The Tunnel also sets up a tense dynamic because Natasha – similar to Heather Donahue from The Blair Witch Project – is the only person who wants to be there. What’s more, Peter, Steven, and Tangles have a propensity for joking around, especially since they’re not taking Natasha’s investigation seriously at all despite their technical expertise. When Tangles tries to fix his boom mic levels after claiming to have heard screaming on the playback, Natasha doesn’t believe him at first, which turns out to be a fatal mistake.
But still, thanks to Tangle’s invaluable skillset, we’re met with moments of silence punctuated by pipes slowly dripping in the distance, unknown footsteps heard just out of frame, and a sense that you’re not alone in the tunnel with Natasha’s crew while streaming this film and wondering when their flashlights will run out of batteries, leaving you in the dark.
The Tunnel is currently streaming for free on Tubi.