Some things will never go out of style. Take, for example, disaster movies. If we were to compare cinema to clothing, I would say that they are a lot like denim jeans. They’ve had many different incarnations, extending across several decades, but they are all based on the same core design. Going back to 1937 with In Old Chicago, these films feel like they’ve been around forever – probably because they pretty much have been. While every era may have its own signature flavor, they are all still cut from the same cloth. So, that being said, why should the titles released in 2020 like The Tunnel be any different? 

The Tunnel is a Norwegian thriller movie that’s about – you guessed it – a tunnel. More specifically, it is about a series of grave misfortunes that take place inside of this tunnel. The film opens on Christmas Eve in Norway, and everyone is on their way home to celebrate the holidays. Due to the harsh weather conditions, most commuters decide that it would be safer to take the tunnel running underneath the mountains rather than the treacherous roads that go through them. This turns out to be a deadly error in judgment, though, as an accident involving a tanker truck is about to throw a serious wrench into the festivities. After the resulting explosion kicks off a chain of tragic events, the hapless travelers become trapped in what is now essentially a smoke-filled tomb. Soon, it is up to a handful of tunnel workers to retrieve the survivors that have been left behind. Will they succeed in this perilous mission, or will they end up being another grim statistic on the nightly news? You’ll just have to watch and find out.

The first thing that I noticed about The Tunnel is its cinematography. There is an abundance of shots that showcase the breathtaking natural beauty of the Norwegian mountains. The high contrast visuals of immaculate snow against dark roads and rock make for some truly stunning eye candy. It doesn’t stop there, though. This stylish presentation persists well into when the action begins. There is an oppressive feeling of claustrophobia that surrounds the chaos once things finally go awry. Again, this is in no small part due to the excellent camera work. When combined with the adequate performances given by most of the cast, the film manages to be a tense but altogether entertaining affair.  

Unfortunately, not everything about the movie is wine and roses. While The Tunnel does include many harrowing moments, it is disappointingly predictable in terms of how the story itself unfolds. Although I went into it with no prior knowledge of the plot, I could easily deduce what was about to happen throughout the film. Because of this, I feel as though it ultimately failed to live up to its full potential. It may not be without its merits, but these points aren’t enough to rescue it from being anything aside from yet another mediocre entry within the genre.