Horror Film "The Tunnel" (2011) and How You can Download it Legally

First thing you need to know about this movie is its availability. Directed by Filipino-Aussie Carlo Ledesma, The Tunnel is a film that can be legally downloaded via torrent, the first time an Australian film is distributed through this manner.

Let this be a lesson to journalists who fail to follow logistics protocol. An entry to the “found footage” genre (The Blair Witch Project, Rec, Cloverfield), the film tells of an investigative journalist named Natasha who is determined to do whatever it takes to uncover the truth behind the disappearance of homeless people within Sydney’s underground tunnels, which is once the site of a planned water recycling facility. After failing to get the necessary permit, she slips past security and into the tunnels accompanied by colleague Peter, cameraman Steve, and sound guy Tangles. Of course, we know how things never go well in horror films.

What I love about this film is its format. If you have watched at least one episode of National Geographic Channel’s Locked up Abroad, then you will feel right at home with this one. Right from the beginning we see the survivors of the events being interviewed vis-à-vis the actual video clips taken by their cameras. Thankfully, Ledesma makes it a point to stick to this format until the end, giving the entire movie that realistic documentary vibe.

The most critical requirements for a film of this genre are competent actors who can at least pull off true-to-life portrayals. Bel Delia portrays Natasha convincingly most of the time, but there are some points in which she seems too self-conscious in trying to be realistic. Andy Rodoreda and Luke Arnold both have few things to do yet they still manage to make their characters stick out. The scene-stealer here is Steve Davis who portrays the cameraman. We first see him trying his best to look cheerful in his interviews before truly shedding off a façade to show us an emotionally distressed character. Davis pulls off what I think is a depiction that is both persuasive and likeable.

But is the movie actually scary? Depends on what one thinks is scary, but I myself felt a bit uneasy on certain parts where the camera zooms in on the darkness. This is perhaps what Ledesma accomplishes. By fully utilizing the natural darkness that pervades the abandoned tunnel, he is able to create a film that will churn out all paranoia within us until the big reveal in the end. It also helps that the entire place is undeniably creepy. Rusts on pipes, scratches on the walls. The titular tunnel is indeed a place you do not want to get lost in.

So I really haven’t given away much. The rest is for you to find out. In a way, The Tunnel serves as a commentary on media responsibility and the various political conspiracies surrounding us. Unlike some “found footage” films out there, it actually presents us with a great excuse for the cameraman to continue filming even when being chased by a terrifying creature. Yes, there are parts in the ending we would question, but in doing so forces us to face certain truths regarding our society. This is certainly a mark of a good horror film. Not only does it scare us out of our wits, it also fuels our curiosity to do research to satisfy the craving of our intellect.

Check out the film's official site to know how to get a copy.