Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
Directed by Rob Cohen (The Hurricane Heist) and starring Sylvester Stallone, Daylight is a 1996 disaster action film that plunges its audience into a high-stakes survival story set in the claustrophobic confines of a collapsed tunnel beneath the Hudson River. While the film adheres to many of the tropes of the disaster genre, it distinguishes itself through its relentless pacing, Stallone’s earnest performance, and a series of well-executed set pieces that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. While it doesn’t innovate in storytelling, Daylight offers a thrilling experience, highlighting Stallone’s physical and emotional range.
Plot and Themes
The film begins in New York City, where a hazardous waste truck causes an explosion in the Holland Tunnel, trapping survivors. Kit Latura (Sylvester Stallone), a former EMS chief turned cab driver, leads the rescue mission, seeking redemption for past failures by saving lives.
Thematically, Daylight explores resilience, teamwork, and the human capacity to endure in the face of overwhelming odds. The film’s diverse cast of characters—ranging from a rock climber and sports celebrity Roy Nord (Viggo Mortensen) to a wealthy Manhattanite couple (Claire Bloom and Colin Fox) to a group of petty criminals—serves as a microcosm of society, highlighting how people from different walks of life can come together in times of crisis. Some characters are more fleshed out than others, but the film succeeds in creating a sense of collective struggle, making the audience invested in the survival of the crowd.
Performances
Sylvester Stallone delivers a compelling performance as Kit Latura, balancing his trademark physicality with a vulnerable, everyman quality. Unlike some of his more iconic roles, such as Rocky or Rambo, Latura is not an invincible action hero. He is flawed, haunted by his past, and often visibly exhausted by the challenges he faces. Stallone’s portrayal adds depth to the character, making his heroism feel earned rather than gratuitous. His interactions with the survivors, particularly with the young girl Ashley (Danielle Harris) and the determined Madelyne (Amy Brenneman), showcase his ability to convey empathy and leadership.
The supporting cast, while not given as much screen time, contributes effectively to the film’s tension and emotional stakes. Amy Brenneman stands out as Madelyne, a resourceful and strong-willed woman who becomes Latura’s ally in the fight for survival. Viggo Mortensen, in a pre-Lord of the Rings role, brings a quiet intensity to his character, though his arc feels somewhat underdeveloped. The film’s villains—primarily the tunnel’s collapsing structure and the rising floodwaters—are arguably the most compelling antagonists, creating a constant sense of urgency and danger, with their edge-of-seat dangers and visual effects.
Direction and Cinematography
Rob Cohen, known for his work on high-octane action films, directs Daylight with a keen eye for suspense and spectacle. The film’s pacing is relentless, with each scene building on the tension of the last. Cohen effectively uses the confined setting of the tunnel to create a claustrophobic atmosphere, amplifying the sense of danger and desperation. The use of practical effects, particularly in the explosion and flooding sequences, adds a visceral realism to the film that enhances its impact.
Cinematographer David Eggby captures the chaos and destruction with a dynamic visual style, employing tight close-ups and sweeping wide shots to convey both the intimacy of the survivors’ plight and the scale of the disaster. The film’s color palette, dominated by muted grays and blues, reinforces the bleakness of the situation, while occasional bursts of light—such as the titular “daylight” glimpsed at the end of the tunnel—serve as powerful symbols of hope.
Action and Special Effects
Daylight excels most in delivering thrilling sequences that keep the audience engaged. From the initial explosion in the tunnel to the harrowing escapes through flooded passages, the film is packed with moments of high-stakes drama. The practical effects, including collapsing debris and rushing water, are particularly impressive, lending a tangible sense of danger to the proceedings. While some of the CGI effects have aged less gracefully, they are used sparingly and do not detract significantly from the overall experience.
One of the film’s standout sequences involves Latura and the survivors navigating a series of ventilation shafts, with the threat of flooding and structural collapse looming at every turn. This scene exemplifies the film’s ability to balance action with character development, as the survivors must rely on each other’s strengths to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
Conclusion
Daylight may not revolutionize the disaster genre, but it is a well-executed and engaging film that highlights Sylvester Stallone’s versatility as an actor and Rob Cohen’s directorial prowess. The film’s focus on themes of teamwork, resilience, and redemption adds an emotional depth that extends beyond its action-packed sequences. Although certain characters and subplots might have benefited from further development, the film’s strengths are evident in its relentless pacing, impressive practical effects, and Stallone’s compelling performance. For enthusiasts of disaster films or Stallone’s oeuvre, Daylight offers a satisfying and thrilling experience that remains noteworthy nearly three decades after its release.
The Video
Daylight is presented using a HDR/Dolby Vision master from a 4K scan of the 35mm original camera negative. The film’s 1.85:1 HEVC 2160p (4K UHD) Dolby Vision encoding on the 4K Ultra HD disc shows mixed results. The opening credit sequences appear desaturated and rough, but quality improves during the Holland Tunnel scene, displaying excellent crispness, natural grain, and detailed highlights, especially noticeable in flames and water reflections. Some CG effects are less effective in this 4K restoration, making them more apparent. The most significant issue occurs in the final scene where Stallone and Brenneman’s transition through the drain shows muddied color and detail inconsistent with the rest of the film. Colleague Gerard Iribe confirmed this anomaly appears on the previous Blu-ray release as well, suggesting potential damage to the original negative.
The Audio
The audio is presented in English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 stereo. The 5.1 mix is reference for a surround mix of a film from this era. There are solid effects mixed through the base channels, bombastic low end, and wide dynamics, with clear dialogue.
The Supplements
We don’t get any new supplements with this release of Daylight but what is included is good to have, including the audio commentary from the director and the half-hour making-of.
Bonus Features:
- Audio commentary by director Rob Cohen
Blu-ray Only Bonus Features:
- The Making of Daylight (SD; 00:33:28)
- EPK Featurette (SD; 00:06:26)
- Whenever There is Love: Music Video by Donna Summer and Bruce Roberts (SD; 00:04:31)
- Daylight – Trailer 1 (SD; 00:02:19)
- Daylight – Trailer 2 (SD; 00:02:30)
- Dante’s Peak – Trailer
- Turbulence – Trailer
- F.I.S.T. — Trailer
The Final Assessment
Daylight fits right in with the disaster film resurgence that began in the 1990s and carried on through the early 2000s that saw films like Dante’s Peak, Deep Impact, Twister, Armageddon, and The Day After Tomorrow all hit theaters. It doesn’t redefine the genre or even stretch Stallone’s acting abilities, but it is an enjoyable popcorn film that now looks good and sounds great, despite some visual warts.
Daylight is out on 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray March 11, 2025 from Kino Lorber
- Rating Certificate: PG-13 (for disaster-related peril, death and destruction)
- Studios & Distributors: Universal Pictures | Davis Entertainment | Joseph M. Singer Entertainment | Kino Lorber
- Director: Rob Cohen
- Written By: Leslie Bohem
- Run Time: 104 Mins.
- Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
- Video Format: HEVC 2160p (4K UHD)
- HDR Format: Dolby Vision (HDR10 Compatible)
- Primary Audio: English DTS-HD MA 5.1
- Secondary Audio: English DTS-HD MA 2.0 Stereo
- Subtitles: English SDH
- Street Date: 11 March 2025