Daylight (1996)
Daylight (1996), directed by Rob Cohen and starring Sylvester Stallone, is a high-stakes disaster thriller set in the claustrophobic depths of a collapsed tunnel beneath the Hudson River. The film explores themes of survival, heroism, and redemption under extreme pressure.
The story begins during an ordinary day in New York City. A convoy of trucks carrying toxic waste enters the Holland Tunnel, which connects Manhattan and New Jersey. At the same time, a group of diverse individuals—including a struggling playwright, a young runaway, a vacationing couple, and a prison transport—also enter the tunnel. Disaster strikes when a massive explosion, caused by a collision and chemical reaction, destroys both ends of the tunnel, sealing the survivors inside and triggering a catastrophic collapse.
The explosion kills many and traps the remaining survivors in a dark, flooding, and unstable section of the tunnel. With air running out and the tunnel at risk of further collapse, hope seems lost. Enter Kit Latura (Stallone), a disgraced former Emergency Medical Services (EMS) chief who now works as a cab driver. Having once been blamed for a failed rescue that resulted in fatalities, Kit carries the burden of his past but retains his expert knowledge of tunnel infrastructure.
Realizing he may be the only one capable of saving the survivors, Kit navigates a hazardous ventilation shaft to reach the trapped group. Despite initial mistrust, he takes charge and guides them through a series of dangerous obstacles, including rising water, fires, unstable debris, and the constant threat of further explosions. Along the way, Kit forges a bond with Maddy, a strong-willed jewelry designer, and encourages the group to work together despite fear and despair.
As the situation worsens and the tunnel begins to collapse further, Kit risks his life repeatedly to get the group to safety. In a final, harrowing sequence, he triggers a controlled explosion to release floodwaters and create a path to the surface. Believed dead, Kit is eventually pulled to safety along with the survivors.
Daylight is a tense, visually intense disaster film that emphasizes human resilience and leadership under pressure. Stallone delivers a grounded, heroic performance that centers on sacrifice and redemption. Though it follows familiar genre tropes, the film stands out for its realistic set design and emotional depth, making it a compelling survival story set in one of the most claustrophobic scenarios imaginable.
