THIMPHU — Bhutanese cinema is set to venture into the world of supernatural horror with the upcoming film Tunnel 26: The Curse Beneath the Mountain, which is scheduled to be released in theatres in Bhutan and Nepal on October 9, 2026.
Written and directed by DD Kinley, the film takes audiences deep beneath the mountains of Bhutan, combining elements of horror, thriller, action, adventure and survival. The story begins with a tunnel collapse that leaves a group of workers, engineers and students trapped underground. What initially appears to be a dangerous but ordinary disaster soon turns into something far more frightening.
According to the film’s premise, the group discovers that their presence deep beneath the mountain has awakened an ancient supernatural force. As they struggle to find a way out, they are faced with a threat that could extend beyond the tunnel itself. The survivors must not only escape the collapsed tunnel but also prevent the mysterious force from reaching the outside world.
The film features a cast led by Sangay Tsheltrim, alongside Roshni Dada and Nidup Dorji. The supporting cast includes Kezang Kaz, Deki Lhamo, Anoop Bikram Shahi and Anna Sharma.
The choice of Bhutan’s mountainous landscape as the setting gives the film a distinctive backdrop for its supernatural story. Much of the narrative is centred around an underground tunnel, creating an isolated environment where the characters are forced to confront danger with limited options for escape.
For the characters trapped underground, the collapse becomes only the beginning of their ordeal. As they uncover the mystery beneath the mountain, their efforts to survive become increasingly complicated by the supernatural presence they have awakened.
Directed by DD Kinley, who also serves as the writer, Tunnel 26: The Curse Beneath the Mountain marks an ambitious entry into the horror and thriller genre. The film seeks to combine the tension of a disaster-survival story with supernatural elements, while using Bhutan’s mountainous setting as an important part of the narrative.
The film’s release also comes at a time when audiences across the region are showing growing interest in locally produced genre films. Horror and supernatural stories have the potential to reach audiences beyond traditional cinema markets, particularly when they are connected to distinctive landscapes, cultures and folklore.
For Bhutanese audiences, the film offers an opportunity to see a locally set story presented through the conventions of an international-style horror thriller. The combination of a large ensemble cast, an underground survival setting and an ancient supernatural threat places the film firmly within the genre while retaining its Bhutanese identity.
With October 9, 2026 confirmed as the theatrical release date, audiences in Bhutan and Nepal will soon be able to experience the story on the big screen.
As the release approaches, attention is expected to focus on how Tunnel 26: The Curse Beneath the Mountain brings together Bhutan’s dramatic mountain environment with horror, action and supernatural storytelling.
The film promises a journey from a tunnel disaster into a much larger battle for survival—one in which escaping the mountain may not be enough.
Tunnel 26: The Curse Beneath the Mountain will be released in theatres in Bhutan and Nepal on October 9, 2026.
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