Oscilloscope Buys Robert Petit’s ‘Underland’ Documentary, Narrated by Sandra Hüller and Produced by Darren Aronofsky (EXCLUSIVE)

Oscilloscope Laboratories has acquired North American rights to “Underland,” a critically acclaimed documentary from Robert Petit that takes viewers beneath the surface of the Earth.

Based on the book “Underland” by Robert Macfarlane, the film premiered at the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival in the documentary competition section. Oscilloscope will release the picture theatrically in 2026. The film is narrated by Sandra Hüller, the Oscar-nominated star of “Anatomy of a Fall.” “Underland” was produced by Darren Aronofsky, the Academy Award-nominated filmmaker behind “Black Swan” and “The Whale.”

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The film follows a group of explorers as they venture into hidden worlds, from ancient caves and melting glaciers to science laboratories and abandoned mines. Featured subjects include Fátima Tec Pool, a speleo-archaeologist; Bradley Garrett, an urban explorer, geographer, photographer and writer; and Mariangela Lisanti, leading American theoretical particle physicist and an associate professor of physics at Princeton University.

At Tribeca, “Underland” drew raves, particularly for composer Hannah Peel’s score and for Ruben Woodin Dechamps’ cinematography. It marks the second collaboration between Petit and Macfarlane, after their acclaimed 2019 experimental film “Upstream.” In addition to Aronofsky, the producing team includes Ari Handel, Lauren Greenwood and Jessica Harrop. Executive producers include André Singer, Figs Jackman, Macfarlane, Craig Miller, Elizabeth Radshaw, Richard Wolfe and Keith Potter. The film is a production of Sandbox Films, Spring Films, Planet Octopus Studios and Protozoa Pictures, in association with Hot Docs Partners.

“Most of my favorite films in the world were released by Oscilloscope — movies that (by proxy) are in the DNA of ‘Underland’ itself,” Petit said. “I’m honored that this film will sit alongside them in the Oscilloscope catalogue, and I can’t think of better people to shepherd the project as it goes out to meet the world. I love everything Oscilloscope Laboratories stand for and everything they do to keep flying the flag for independent movie making.”

Oscilloscope Laboratories has previously released such notable indie films as “We Need to Talk About Kevin,” “Meek’s Cutoff” and “Shortbus.”

“Given the state of the world, like many people, I have buried my head in the sand,” Aaron Katz, vice president of acquisitions at Oscilloscope Laboratories added. “So imagine my refreshment when I saw how exciting and beautiful things can be under the surface. The film is a feast for your senses that will swirl your curiosity and open your eyes to both our history and future, all by peeking below ground.”

“Sandbox Films is committed to supporting science stories meant for cinemas, and thrilled to have Oscilloscope bring the film to the big screen,” said Harrop, executive director of Sandbox Films and a producer on the film. “This film is an immersive voyage underground that leaves you blinking in the light as you surface from the theater.”

Here’s a first look at the trailer: