My Favorite Sylvester Stallone Movie Is Neither Rocky Nor Rambo, But This Widely Panned Claustrophobic Disaster Film

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If you ask almost anyone who likes Sylvester Stallone, their favorite movie of his will probably be either Rocky or First Blood.

I also really enjoy those movies! I’ve watched all the Rambo and Rocky films, and while I like most of them, none are my absolute favorite Sylvester Stallone movie. I do have a fondness for Judge Dredd, but I think Daylight, from 1996, will probably always be my personal favorite.

I have a strange fondness for the movie Daylight, even though it makes me anxious about visiting New York City – and I’m there often! While critics didn’t love it (which never really bothers me, anyway), and it’s largely forgotten in Stallone’s filmography, it remains my personal favorite. Here’s why.

As A New Jersian, I Both Love And Hate The Setting

I travel to New York City frequently, mainly because I live in New Jersey. I usually take the bus, but I always feel uneasy going through the Lincoln Tunnel. It’s all because of a particular movie that makes the experience so uncomfortable for me.

Okay, so I’m generally not someone who feels trapped or anxious in small spaces, but this movie genuinely gave me the creeps – and I can only imagine how terrifying it would be for someone who is claustrophobic! It centers around a truckload of toxic waste heading for disposal in New Jersey – seriously, Hollywood, what’s with the Jersey digs? – when it enters the Lincoln Tunnel. Then things go south fast. A group of jewel thieves, being chased by the police, slams into the truck, causing a massive explosion. It’s a really unsettling setup, and it immediately throws you into a seriously tense situation.

The tunnel collapses, trapping people inside with the danger of flooding. That’s why I get anxious whenever I drive through the Lincoln Tunnel – I saw this movie when I was younger, and it really stuck with me!

I have a complicated relationship with the movie – I love it, but I also find things to dislike. Part of why I connect with it so much is that I know the location it’s set in really well.

It Also Truly Feels Like A Harrowing Experience For Everyone Involved

Although Daylight wasn’t originally on our list of disaster films, I think it’s actually one of the best. It’s a bit different because it focuses on a smaller, more personal story. The real trouble starts right after the building collapses.

The movie throws one disaster after another at you – deadly gas leaks from trucks, collapsing debris, and powerful explosions. Then, the tunnel starts flooding, and the tension just keeps building and building. What’s really impressive is how believable the characters’ reactions are, even though the situations themselves are over-the-top and extreme. They feel like real people facing unbelievable circumstances.

The movie features Viggo Mortensen as a well-known sports star, someone people recognize from television. In contrast, Stallone plays a retired emergency services chief who is genuinely knowledgeable, but lives a quiet, unglamorous life. The plot revolves around people choosing to follow the famous celebrity, believing his fame equates to expertise, instead of listening to the experienced chief who actually knows how to solve their problem.

That actually sounds pretty realistic. It’s common for people to treat celebrities like experts, even when they don’t have any real knowledge on the topic. I can easily imagine this kind of situation happening. Personally, though, I’m sticking with the guy who reminds me of Sylvester Stallone. Which brings me to another thought…

Sly Stallone Is Really Heroic In The Film

So, is John Rambo a hero? That’s a tricky one. Honestly, the Rambo from the very first movie, First Blood, felt more like a troubled vet just trying to survive. But after that? Yeah, I’d say he definitely leans into heroic territory. The later films give us much clearer villains, and while he still takes out a lot of people, it’s easier to see him as the good guy in those situations.

I don’t question whether Stallone’s character in Daylight is a hero – he definitely is. As soon as the tunnel collapses, Chief Kit Latura jumps into action, doing everything he can to help people. He quickly connects with his former coworkers to brainstorm rescue plans. He even tries to collaborate with the man who took his job, despite not receiving much support in return.

As you’d expect from a Stallone film, his character doesn’t just offer assistance – he jumps into the action. There’s a tense scene where Kit crawls through a dangerous ventilation system, always at risk of the fan suddenly restarting. He also uses explosions to seal a leak, showcasing his proactive approach.

Look, Stallone’s character really is the hero everyone’s been waiting for, and the film builds to a genuinely powerful climax. It’s satisfying to watch him step up and deliver – the ending really pays off.

I Love The Conclusion

Action movies often use a ticking clock to create tension, and in this film, that element is represented by the flooding water—it’s constantly leaking and bursting through the walls. I also recently learned something surprising: when traveling through the Lincoln Tunnel, you’re actually driving under the Hudson River!

Looking back, it’s funny how I never thought twice about the tunnel scene when I was a teenager and this movie first came out. I would just zone out, listen to music – usually 311 – and stare at the tiles.

Throughout the movie, the tunnel continuously floods, with Kit and Madelyne (Amy Brenneman) finding themselves submerged up to their necks. The situation becomes so dire that Kit resorts to blowing off the tunnel roof – a seemingly illogical act born of desperation. Mud then collapses on Kit, and it appears he’s been buried, but Madelyne manages to escape to the surface, and Kit is left floating in the water.

It’s a really exciting conclusion, and probably one of my favorites in Stallone’s filmography.

In The End, It’s One Of Stallone’s Most Unique Movie

I’m not claiming Daylight is particularly groundbreaking compared to films like Demolition Man, or that it’s very different from Sylvester Stallone’s other work, such as F.I.S.T. It’s also not as over-the-top as Over the Top, and I wouldn’t go so far as to say it’s a hidden gem like Oscar that deserves another look.

Despite its flaws, Daylight is a surprisingly interesting film in Sylvester Stallone’s career and doesn’t get the attention it deserves. It successfully blends disaster and action genres, and really showcased Stallone’s strengths during the 1990s. I’m surprised more people don’t discuss it.

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2025-12-30 17:12