"The Tunnel" explores several themes, including:

Sarah grabbed his arm. "The smoke! It’s moving faster than we can run!"

Upon release, The Tunnel received accolades for its authenticity and respectful treatment of the real-life tragedy. Critics praised the film’s balance of suspense and character-driven storytelling. It grossed over $4 million in South Korea and won two awards at the 2019 Korean Film Awards for Best Cinematography and Best Visual Effects.