Bradley Garrett, documentaries, Fatima Tec Pool, film festivals, Mariangela Lisanti, movies, reviews, Rob Petit, Sandra Huller, Underland
June 7, 2025
by Carla Hay
“Underland”
Directed by Rob Petit
Culture Representation: The documentary film “Underland” (filmed in Mexico, the United States, Europe, and Canada), which is based on Robert Macfarlane’s 2019 book “Underland: A Deep Time Journey,” features a predominantly white group of people (with some Latin people) who are connected in some way to exploring underground environments.
Culture Clash: Researchers and scientists in the documentary say that climate change and pollution are the biggest threats to destroying these environments.
Culture Audience: “Underland” will appeal primarily to people who are interested in watching nature documentaries that have some scientific information.
“Underland” is a relatively short but immersive complement to Robert Macfarlane’s 2019 non-fiction book “Underland: A Deep Time Journey,” about underground environments. This documentary has excellent cinematography but might leave science enthusiasts wanting more information. At the very least, “Underland” is an entertaining look at environments that aren’t usually seen by the average person.
Directed by Rob Petit, “Underland” had its world premiere at the 2025 Tribeca Festival. The movie, which is told in six chapters, focuses on three individuals who describes themselves as underground explorers/researchers. The cameras tag along as they go on various exploration missions and adventures.
Bradley Garrett is an American “urban explorer” who likes to go to underground tunnels around the world. The documentary shows what he finds in underground tunnels in Las Vegas. Fátima Tec Pool is an archaeologist who explores caves in her native Mexico and is particularly interested in anything related to the history of the Mayans, who are her ancestors. Mariangela Lisanti is an American theoretical physicist and Princeton University physics professor. She is particularly interested in dark matter in the universe that can’t be seen with human eyes.
“Underworld,” which is narrated by actress Sandra Hüller, clocks in at just 79 minutes. The documentary is not particularly educational, but it is absorbing in how it shows different underground environments. Hannah Peel’s emotionally stirring music score is especially noteworthy and is one of the standout features of the movie, along with Ruben Woodin Dechamps’ cinematography. Although “Underland” tends to downplay the dangers of these underground explanations, the enthusiasm of Garrett, Pool and Lisanti is very engaging to watch and serve as a testament to the spirit of environmental exploration and curiosity.