Bunker – Movie Review (3/5)

BUNKER is a new World War I horror movie that pays tribute to old-school horror movies. Or classic movies in general. Something you’ll notice from the opening credits and the choice of score. While it is a bit too long, it’s still good. Read our full Bunker movie review here!

BUNKER is a new horror movie getting a theatrical release. It takes place during World War I. As the title indicates, much of it takes place in a bunker. This can feel a bit too claustrophobic for some, but this isn’t a tiny bunker, so aside from not having daylight, their scenery does differ a bit throughout.

For me, anything that takes place during the First World War (or the second, for that matter) is instinctively creepy to me. In this particular movie, there’s the added creepy factor of “an ungodly presence” which I actually found wasn’t necessary.

Obviously, that’s a personal preference – that the horror of war is scarier to me than anything supernatural – because in the context of this story, it definitely works. I wasn’t crazy about all the acting (I’ll get back to that) and found it to be a bit too long. Other than that, I was both entertained and creeped out by this movie. Which is a good thing, of course!

Continue reading our Bunker horror movie review below. Find it in Theaters Only from February 24, 2023.

The horror of war is neverending

Bunker is set towards the end of World War I, but it is by no means a “war loving” story. Then again, when is a WWI or WWII movie ever? Particularly when it’s in the horror genre. In Bunker, we meet a group of American and British soldiers who are just fighting to stay alive while obeying order.

While doing exactly this, they end up having to flee into an abandoned bunker where they become trapped with a German POW. While trapped underground in the middle of a war zone, they wait for rescue as an ungodly presence takes hold. This result in increasing confusion twisting the minds of everyone and warping reality.

Also, there’s a strange substance that looks very much like semen. Especially when dripping down on someone’s face. I’m sorry, but it has to be said. I can’t just ignore that kind of imagery when we’re dealing with men trapped in the same place and being very manly and “in charge” of one another.

This isn’t a huge part of the story, but it does indicate when the ungodly presence is somehow affecting them. You’ll see.

Classic movie style in a new production

The new Bunker horror movie obviously pays tribute to old-school horror movies. Or classic movies in general really. Trust me, this is something you’ll notice from both the style of the opening credits and the choice of score. In fact, right down to the fact that the score tends to be too loud and seems almost violent at times. I certainly took this to be very intentional.

Overall, I enjoyed this retro (or classic) feel of a story set during World War I. My one issue with it was that the acting was a bit all over the place. Okay, “all over the place” is taking it a bit (or way) too far. However, I stand by the fact that I found it to be distracting.

Particularly one of the core characters, Lt. Turner (Patrick Moltane), seemed to have been instructed to go all in on the over-the-top theatrics. At times, he almost sounded like a cartoon character with his voice breaking as he spewed out orders. For me, this kind of acting can only work if they all go in on it.

Also, there was an issue with the British accent, which also seemed unnatural and forced. This was not an issue with any of the other characters – no matter the nationality of the actor. And, to be clear, I did enjoy the acting of the entire cast. It just didn’t really “gel” for me, when the styles varied so much.

As always, Luke Baines (Under the Silver Lake, Truth or Dare) was amazing. He plays a key role with few lines for much of the movie. Fortunately, Luke Baines is the kind of actor who can say a lot without ever uttering a word.

Watch Bunker in a movie theater

Bunker is directed by Adrian Langley (Butchers) and written by Michael Huntsman (Fish Lake). It’s an independent horror movie, but the production quality is very impressive. So is the storyline and overall style and vibe.

In fact, while watching this war horror movie, I couldn’t help but think that this is the stuff I’d expect from Neil Marshall. In fact, I almost think he believes he’s still making movies like this one. On every level, however, this new movie is so much better than his two most recent films.

That might not say much, but as someone who used to adore Neil Marshall movies (and still hold out hope that it could happen again), it’s definitely a compliment. Check it out in theaters – if you tend to like these World War horror movies, you really shouldn’t miss out on it.

Bunker is out in theaters only from February 24, 2023.

Details

Director: Adrian Langley
Writer: Michael Huntsman
Cast: Eddie Ramos, Luke Baines, Sean Cullen, Roger Clark, Julian Feder, Kevin Tanski, Patrick Moltane, Kayla Radomski, Quinn Moran