Buried (2010)

Buried (2010) is a dramatic psychological thriller film directed by Rodrigo Cortés, starring Ryan Reynolds in the lead role. The film is impressive for its unique way of expressing when the entire story takes place almost entirely in a coffin buried deep underground, bringing a feeling of suffocation, tension and suffocation from beginning to end.

The story revolves around Paul Conroy, an American truck driver working in Iraq. After an attack, he wakes up to find himself buried alive in a wooden coffin, with only a lighter, a cell phone and a few other items. In that sealed space, Paul struggles with panic, oxygen depletion and desperate calls for help, while his life time is getting shorter.

What makes Buried special is the way the situation is built in the style of "one setting - one character" but still attractive enough for more than 90 minutes. There are no scenes outside the coffin, but thanks to Ryan Reynolds' powerful acting and the director's skillful staging, the film still maintains an extremely tense and haunting pace. Viewers are drawn into the fear, helplessness and ultimate loneliness of the main character.

In addition to the entertainment factor, Buried also carries many profound messages about war, the indifference of the bureaucracy and the fragility of human life. The film raises the question: when facing imminent death, do we still hold on to hope, or will we give up in despair?

Buried isn’t for everyone, especially those with claustrophobia, but it’s a testament to the power of minimalist cinema – where a single character, a single setting, and a powerful story can create a haunting and thought-provoking piece of cinema. With its inventive storytelling and ability to convey profound emotion, Buried is one of the most memorable thrillers of the decade.