Buried

In 2006, Paul Conroy wakes up to find himself trapped inside a wooden coffin, disoriented and frightened. He is armed only with a Zippo lighter, a pen, and a BlackBerry phone, which amplifies his feelings of isolation and dread.

Flashbacks reveal the traumatic events leading to his entrapment when Paul and others are ambushed by terrorists. After being struck on the head with a rock, Paul loses consciousness, marking the beginning of his horrifying ordeal.

In an effort to reach out for assistance, Paul makes a frantic call to 911 from Youngstown, Ohio. However, he is met with skepticism from the FBI, who doubt his story, and indifference from his employer.

Paul receives a chilling call from his kidnapper, Jabir, who demands a ransom of $5 million for his release. This unsettling conversation amplifies Paul's fear and sense of urgency for survival.

Despite his increasingly dire situation, Paul discovers essential items in the coffin, including a malfunctioning flashlight and a pocketknife. He uses these tools as he formulates a plan for his escape.

After contacting the State Department, Paul is informed that government policy prohibits negotiating with terrorists. This revelation leaves him feeling hopeless as the promise of a rescue effort lacks assurance.

Paul's employer manages to connect him with Dan Brenner, the head of the Hostage Working Group, who advises him to conserve his phone's battery. He emphasizes the importance of not engaging with the kidnappers’ demands for a ransom video.

In a moment of vulnerability, Paul attempts to contact his mother, only to find that severe dementia has robbed her of her memory of him. This painful realization deepens his isolation and despair.

Jabir's demands escalate as he insists Paul produce a ransom video, while he also presents evidence that Paul's colleague, Pamela, is in grave danger. The stakes have never been higher, heightening the pressure on Paul.

In a terrifying encounter, Paul finds himself face-to-face with a live snake inside the coffin. With limited options at hand, he fights for survival and ultimately manages to kill the creature, but the ordeal takes a toll on his psyche.

Switching the language on his BlackBerry to English, Paul sends a desperate voicemail to his wife, Linda, revealing crucial information and his desperate plight. This attempt to communicate brings a flicker of human connection amidst the chaos.

Tragically, Paul learns that despite his efforts, the kidnappers have executed Pamela, leading to widespread media coverage of the act. This chilling news leaves Paul grappling with guilt and helplessness, struggling to cope with the emotional aftermath.

In a moment of dark irony, Paul discovers that distant explosions are related to bombings nearby. Brenner informs him that these bombings may have neutralized his captors, offering a sliver of hope amidst the despair.

As fears mount, Paul records a heartfelt final message for Linda and his son, cherishing the memories of his family. This moment serves as a poignant reminder of what he stands to lose in this harrowing situation.

As the sand begins to fill his coffin, Paul realizes the team rescuing him mistakenly uncovers the wrong coffin. Gripped by despair, he comes to terms with his fate, ultimately succumbing to the darkness as hope slips away.

In a poignant post-credits scene, Paul’s flickering lighter reveals the name 'Mark White' inscribed on the coffin. This haunting detail stands as a reminder of the tragic circumstances surrounding his sacrifice and unyielding fight for survival.