A « nightmarish » horror film featuring a lead actor delivering a stellar performance is now available for viewing on ITVX. The 2010 release follows the harrowing ordeal of civilian truck driver Paul Conroy (Ryan Reynolds) in Iraq, who becomes the target of a group of insurgents. Waking up in a coffin with only a lighter, a mobile phone and his escalating fear, Paul faces an uncertain future.
With his oxygen supply rapidly depleting and his phone battery dying, Paul must grapple with panic, despair and delirium as he waits for a rescue that may not come soon enough. The film boasts a cast including Ryan Reynolds as Paul, Samantha Mathis as his wife Lisa, Stephen Tobolowsky as Alan Davenport, Robert Paterson as Dan Brenner, and José García-Pérez as Jabir.
While not based on a specific true story, the film draws inspiration from the chilling reality of kidnappings and hostage situations, particularly in Iraq. The narrative, though fictional, seeks to portray the realistic and distressing experiences many have endured.
On the film rating platform Rotten Tomatoes, the movie has garnered a high score of 87% from fans. One review said: « This movie is outstanding. All the claustrophobic action makes you feel like you are in the coffin with Ryan Reynolds himself. You will be thinking about what this guy just went through, long after after watching the movie. »
Another viewer commented: « Not bad. Will have you at the edge of your seat and the end is a bit of an eye-opener – good watch. »
One reviewer enthused: « This is highly engaging and well paced for a movie that takes place inside of a box. Ryan Reynolds acted his head off in this movie to keep you entertained. You probably get to see every angle of his head you can imagine! »
« I still wonder what demons are hidden in Paul Conroy’s closet and why he was so reluctant to give out some information to people that were trying to save his life. The other characters he talks to over the phone help keep the movie on pace. Out of all the genres this movie is tagged as, I am surprised it is not tagged as a tragedy. »
Another viewer chimed in: « This film was definitely the most thrilling and dramatic (a good dramatic) I’ve seen in a very long time! Reynolds really put his heart and soul into this film, along with keeping the humour that made him famous with him too. It can be a bit boring sometimes and there’s no action to love, but in a movie like this, you don’t need action to be a good film. »
A fifth review said: « Ryan Reynolds gives the claustrophobic performance of a lifetime, allegedly at the cost of some of his own mental health, but the final product is both a well-shot tight-space thriller, as well as a strongly written observance of the value of a ransomed person. »
Another viewer enthused: « This single-set location thriller will give you intense claustrophobia, panic and thrills… in a good way. It’s amazing how they can make a full-length film set entirely in a box this engaging. This is probably Ryan Reynold’s best performance, who is literally in every single frame of this film. »
Buried is now available on ITVX.
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