I’m not one to stay silent when the credits start rolling. As soon as a movie ends, I usually start recounting my first thoughts to the person I’m watching with (or if I’m watching a movie alone, I send a series of rushed messages to a colleague). But “Buried” was a special case. I still remember watching this thriller in the cinema over a decade ago and, once finished, sitting in complete silence waiting for my heart rate to return to a normal rate.
“Buried” sees Ryan Reynolds play a man in a truly desperate situation, and from the get-go the stakes are so high that the tension levels border on the unbearable. It’s one of the most effective thriller films I’ve ever seen, and it clearly stands out in Reynolds’ filmography. Right now, you can watch the 2011 film for free on Prime Video, although you’ll have to tolerate a few pesky ads. But it’s a small price to enjoy this suspenseful film.
If you’re looking for a thriller movie that will stay with you long after the credits roll, “Buried” deserves to be on your watchlist. Just be aware that this is an extremely claustrophobic film, so avoid it if you can’t handle tight spaces. Here’s what you need to know about “Buried.”
What is “Buried” about?
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Paul Conroy (Ryan Reynolds) is a man in a truly desperate situation. An American truck driver working in Iraq, Paul wakes up disoriented and in total darkness. After searching for a nearby lighter, he realizes that he is trapped in a wooden coffin and has been buried alive with no way to escape, and that his limited air supply is on the verge of to burn out as soon as possible.
However, he is stuck next to a working cell phone, giving him a valuable lifeline and a way to contact the outside world. Paul manages to contact the head of an American department dedicated to the release of hostages. But with time running out, Paul desperately searches for a way out of his truly unimaginable situation in this intense and claustrophobic thriller.
“Buried” will bring you to the edge of your seat
The central point of “Buried” is that the entire film takes place in one location: a coffin. We don’t see Paul’s capture on screen, but the film opens with him waking up in the wooden box. This results in a truly distressing feeling of tension from the start. Just like Paul, viewers also long to see the sunlight again and escape this nightmare.
Director Rodrigo Cortés does a fantastic job using such a cramped environment, and “Buried” really highlights the fear of being trapped in such a small space. A sequence in which a deadly scorpion crawls into the coffin through a crack in the wood is particularly effective as Paul attempts to escape its sting while locked in place. And frankly, it’s one of the most relaxing scenes compared to the rest of the film. Towards the end, things become almost unbearably tense and the ending is one you won’t soon forget.
Ryan Reynolds is the only actor who appears on screen in “Buried” (the rest of the small cast appears in voice form via Paul’s phone). Naturally, this puts a lot of weight on Reynolds’ shoulders, and the usually comedy-focused actor manages to carry the entire film. Paul’s plight is heartbreaking, and you’ll find yourself rooting for his survival from the start, but a big part of the reason “Buried” is so successful is because Reynolds is so committed to the role. You really feel like you’re stuck alongside Paul in a wooden tomb as he struggles to cope with this difficult situation. Be prepared for him to yell “help” a lot.
Considering that “Buried” is a one-man show, taking place entirely within a very restrictive framework, it’s impressive that it never drags throughout its entire 95-minute running time. This is partly due to the inclusion of the cell phone, which gives Paul a way to contact the outside world, but also because the film smartly chooses to develop the situation further. I don’t want to flood with spoilers, but Paul is put to the test, and being buried alive is only the beginning of his traumatic ordeal.
“Buried” is a well-crafted thriller that grabs you with its basic premise and makes many smart decisions throughout its streamlined runtime. Ryan Reynolds is enjoying a resurgence in popularity after the blockbuster “Deadpool” trilogy and as much as I enjoy the exploits of the Merc with a Mouth, “Buried” is definitely my favorite entry in Reynolds’ vast filmography. And even all these years later, just thinking about the film makes me break out in a cold sweat.
Stream “Buried” for free on Prime Video now
If you can handle stress, “Buried” is a must-watch thriller. Yes, it’s almost unbearably tense at many points, and claustrophobic types will find the tightness of the camera disconcerting, but it’s a thrill ride and showcases Ryan Reynolds at his best.
Although its twists and turns are no longer a mystery, I have rewatched it numerous times, and I continue to find it just as effective. If you’ve never experienced Paul Conroy’s harrowing attempts to escape a grisly fate, then you need to give “Buried” a watch. And now that it’s available for free on Prime Video (within the platform formerly Freevee), you can enjoy this very effective thriller even if you don’t have a subscription to the service.
If you’re looking for something lighter, Prime Video’s top 10 currently includes a comedy from the 2010s that you may have missed. And check out our roundup of everything added to Prime Video in January 2025 for even more movies and TV shows to stream right now.
Watch “Burial” on Prime Video NOW