Year: 1996
Runtime: 114 min
Language: English
Director: Rob Cohen
A group of robbers attempting a heist inadvertently cause a massive explosion and tunnel collapse in New Jersey. Several survivors find themselves trapped deep underground, facing a desperate fight for survival. Former special forces operative Kit Latura, drawing on his specialized knowledge, must lead them through the perilous, unstable environment before they run out of time and hope.
Get a spoiler-free look at Daylight (1996) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.
In the dead of night, a routine commute through a sprawling highway tunnel beneath the river turns into a crisis when a sudden, catastrophic explosion seals the passage at both ends. The confined, dimly lit corridor quickly becomes a pressure cooker of fear and uncertainty, as strangers find themselves trapped far from the world above. The setting—a relic of early‑20th‑century engineering now thrust into a modern nightmare—imbues the story with a claustrophobic, almost suffocating atmosphere that teeters between desperate urgency and quiet dread.
The tunnel itself feels like a character, its steel arches echoing with the distant sounds of water seeping in and the muted thrum of hope struggling to stay alive. Layers of tension build as the survivors confront dwindling air, looming darkness, and the ever‑present threat of collapse, all while the outside world remains oblivious to their plight. The tone blends gritty realism with a pulse‑quickening thriller vibe, prompting viewers to feel the weight of each breath and the tick of every second slipping away.
Kit Latura, a former special‑forces operative who once led emergency medical teams, now drives a taxi through the city’s arteries. His disciplined mind and hardened skill set make him an unlikely beacon of leadership when chaos erupts. Beside him emerges Maddy Thompson, a struggling playwright whose personal disappointments have left her searching for purpose. Her creative spirit clashes and ultimately complements Kit’s methodical approach, forging a partnership that balances intuition with pragmatism. Their contrasting backgrounds and shared determination to protect the others create a compelling dynamic that anchors the ensemble.
As the trapped group grapples with the sheer enormity of their situation, the film hovers on the edge of hope and hopelessness, delivering a tense, atmospheric portrait of human resilience. The narrative promises a relentless fight for survival, underscored by moments of unexpected camaraderie and the relentless drive to see daylight once more.
Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 13:17
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Stories of desperate characters trapped in collapsing environments with time running out.If you liked the tense, trapped feeling of Daylight, explore movies with similar high-stakes survival scenarios. These films feature characters confined in dangerous spaces, battling against time and disaster, creating a consistently anxious and suspenseful viewing experience like Daylight.
The narrative follows a linear, urgent escape mission. Characters, often strangers, are forced to cooperate under extreme duress. The plot is driven by a sequence of immediate physical threats, with the environment itself serving as the primary antagonist, leading to a cathartic but hard-won survival.
These movies share a core experience of confinement and relentless pressure. They are grouped by their ability to generate palpable anxiety through a fast-paced, high-intensity scenario where the setting is a key source of conflict, resulting in a heavy emotional weight balanced by themes of resilience.
An ordinary or flawed expert must lead strangers to safety amid chaos.Fans of Daylight's hero narrative will enjoy these films where a skilled but reluctant leader guides a group through a disaster. These stories blend high-action survival with character-driven arcs about responsibility and courage under fire, similar to the dynamic in Daylight.
The narrative centers on a protagonist with specific skills who initially resists the call to lead. Through the collective struggle for survival, they rediscover their purpose and forge deep, albeit temporary, bonds with a diverse group of survivors, culminating in a hopeful ending that validates their sacrifice and leadership.
These films are united by the archetype of the reluctant hero and the theme of collective resilience. They combine high-intensity disaster sequences with a heavy emotional focus on sacrifice and leadership, creating a satisfying arc where courage emerges from desperation.
Don't stop at just watching — explore Daylight in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Daylight is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Read a complete plot summary of Daylight, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.
Track the full timeline of Daylight with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Daylight. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Daylight: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.
Discover movies like Daylight that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.
Daylight (1996) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline
Daylight (1996) Movie Characters, Themes & Settings
Daylight (1996) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow
Movies Like Daylight – Similar Titles You’ll Enjoy
Daylight's End (2016) Film Overview & Timeline
Day Night Day Night (2007) Complete Plot Breakdown
Day of the Dead (1985) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
The Cold Light of Day (2012) Movie Recap & Themes
Survive the Night (2020) Film Overview & Timeline
The Day (2012) Detailed Story Recap
Breathe (2024) Full Movie Breakdown
Day Labor (2024) Full Summary & Key Details
The Tunnel (2019) Film Overview & Timeline
Tunnel (2002) Movie Recap & Themes
A Day to Die (2022) Full Movie Breakdown
Daybreak (1993) Full Summary & Key Details
1 Day (2009) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
Short Walk to Daylight (1972) Ending Explained & Film Insights
Daylight Robbery (2008) Story Summary & Characters