“Ambush (2023)” is a gritty, claustrophobic Vietnam War thriller that trades explosive spectacle for close-quarters tension and psychological warfare. Directed by Mark Burman, this low-budget war film sets itself apart by focusing not on the battlefield above ground—but on the terrifying labyrinth below it.
The story follows a group of young American soldiers tasked with recovering sensitive intelligence documents that have fallen into enemy hands. The catch? The documents are believed to be inside a hidden Viet Cong tunnel network—and the mission quickly turns from a standard recon into a desperate, terrifying crawl into darkness.
Connor Paolo stars as Pfc. Ackerman, a naive communications expert suddenly thrust into command when everything goes wrong. Paolo brings quiet vulnerability and growing intensity to the role, portraying a young soldier stripped of comfort, certainty, and eventually, innocence. His performance becomes the emotional anchor of the film.
Aaron Eckhart, who plays the hardened Colonel, has limited screen time but delivers a strong presence. Jonathan Rhys Meyers plays the cynical and unpredictable Sergeant, offering a rough-edged performance that adds tension and unpredictability to the unit dynamic.
What really defines Ambush is its setting. The film spends much of its runtime in tight, underground tunnels—dimly lit, barely wide enough for a man to crawl through, filled with booby traps, sudden ambushes, and the psychological horror of isolation. The sound design—echoes, drips, breathing, and sudden violence—does most of the work in building tension.
Rather than large-scale battles, Ambush opts for a slow burn of fear and mistrust. The darkness becomes a character, constantly pressing in. Trapped in enemy territory, the soldiers begin to unravel, turning on each other as the mission blurs into survival.
The film’s cinematography, while limited by budget, does an effective job capturing the oppressive atmosphere. The use of shadows, red flare light, and headlamps creates a visually unsettling space that mirrors the soldiers’ mental descent.
However, the film is not without flaws. Some dialogue feels stiff, the pacing drags in the middle, and character development outside of the main role is minimal. Those expecting large-scale Vietnam combat may be disappointed—Ambush is more about paranoia and pressure than action set pieces.
Still, for what it sets out to do—a war story told through suspense, tight framing, and psychological survival—it mostly succeeds. It evokes the same crawling dread as films like Tunnel Rats (2008) or The 33, with just enough grit and emotional grounding to make the horror feel real.
Ambush (2023) is a unique entry in the Vietnam War genre—small in scale, but heavy in mood and intensity. While it doesn’t always hit its mark, its tunnel-based setting and psychological realism provide a fresh and frightening war story worth watching.
