BUNKER (2023) – A Claustrophobic Descent into Paranoia and Madness
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)

“BUNKER” (2023) is not your typical war film — it’s a slow-burn psychological thriller wrapped in the trappings of WWI horror, where the real battle isn’t just against the enemy, but against the mind itself.

Set in the dying days of World War I, the film follows a small group of American and British soldiers who seek shelter in a decaying German bunker — only to find something far more terrifying than bullets or bombs lurking in the dark. What begins as a standard survival story quickly transforms into a surreal, tension-filled journey as paranoia, hallucinations, and guilt consume the characters one by one.

Director Adrian Langley crafts a haunting atmosphere, using the confined space of the bunker to ramp up the claustrophobia. The lighting is dim, the air feels damp and suffocating, and every creak or whisper becomes a potential threat. This is less Saving Private Ryan and more The Descent meets 1917.

The standout performances come from Luke Baines as the morally conflicted officer and Sean Cullen as the grizzled veteran who may or may not be losing his grip on reality. The film smartly avoids jump scares and instead leans into creeping dread, enhanced by a disturbing sound design and unnerving use of silence.

Underneath the horror lies a deeper message: about the dehumanizing effects of war, buried trauma, and how fear can turn men into monsters even without a supernatural force.

However, BUNKER isn’t without flaws. Some plot threads remain ambiguous to the point of confusion, and viewers seeking clear answers may walk away frustrated. But for fans of slow-building, cerebral horror with historical weight, it’s a gripping experience.

Final Verdict:
BUNKER is a moody, intelligent war-horror film that burrows under your skin. With strong performances and a suffocating sense of dread, it’s a haunting reminder that sometimes the scariest enemies are the ones we bring with us.