There have been a lot of films set in an underground shelter over the recent years, so I wasn't expecting much from this. It doesn't help that it reportedly sat on shelves for a few years before getting a silent on demand release. It's clear the studio didn't really have much faith in the product, but I suspect that since it has pretty much gone under the radar that it may gain a following for years to come, as it's actually a surprisingly good movie and an interesting take on the standard post-apoc survival bunker theme.

The film opens up to a young family living in an underground shelter and seeing how they make do with what little they have. The story of what happened and who they are (or were) is told in flashbacks as we progress through the movie. Without spoiling too much, some kind of virus was spreading in their small town and they were forced to flee to the shelter in order to survive and now what's left roaming above ground are referred to as "Breathers". It's best to go in knowing nothing more than that, because learning as we go is what makes the flick so interesting. Instead of dealing with paranoia and people in the bunker flipping out on each other the movie focuses more on trying to survive with little means while also not being discovered by "The Breathers".

Hidden does a good job making the viewer feel invested in these characters and we come to genuinely care what happens to them. So when something dangerous is looming nearby, you're right there with them, hoping to make it out alive. Though, I have to admit that the young daughter and her raggedy little doll were a little annoying at times. Also, because the movie focuses so much on this family dynamic that the pacing isn't the greatest early on, but after the 25-minute mark it picks up and the tension and foreboding atmosphere doesn't let up. It even managed to deliver a couple creepy scenes and luckily by the end we're given a fairly satisfying conclusion that wraps things up nicely.

Hidden is a surprisingly good and interesting take on the common survival bunker theme. It keeps the viewer invested in the story and characters, while also delivering some great tension and creepy scenes. I recommend giving this a look, especially if you like the shelter theme.