BuriedMovie Reviews

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Avg. Critic Score: 65 out of 100 Generally favorable reviews Metascore® based on all critic reviews
Information for Parents:
16 Iffy for 16+
Read Common Sense Media review

Critic scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 90
    Arizona Republic | Bill Goodykoontz

    In theory, we go to movies for enjoyment. Director Rodrigo Corts inverts that notion with Buried, a terrific, claustrophobic, fist-clenching film in which he tortures his audience in exquisite fashion. Read full review

  • 88
    Chicago Tribune | Michael Phillips

    This exercise in racked nerves makes most of the year's thrillers look like flailing maniacs by comparison. Read full review

  • 88
    USA Today | Claudia Puig

    Those drawn to unusual, unflinching feats of filmmaking and rare acting turns as well as sustained suspense will be captivated by Buried. Read full review

  • 88
    Chicago Sun-Times | Roger Ebert

    The use of 2:35 wide screen paradoxically increases the effect of claustrophobia. I would not like to be buried alive. Read full review

  • 88
    ReelViews | James Berardinelli

    The movie works not because of twists and switchbacks in the narrative, but because of the skill with which Corts has conceived this singularly disturbing nightmare. Read full review

  • 80
    Variety | Rob Nelson

    In purely cinematic terms, Buried, set in late 2006, is an ingenious exercise in sustained tension that would make Alfred Hitchcock turn over in his grave. Read full review

  • 80
    Time Out New York | Joshua Rothkopf

    The movie's real asset is Reynolds himself, utilizing his comedy chops for unexpected levity. Read full review

  • 67
    Entertainment Weekly | Lisa Schwarzbaum

    The political angle is gratuitous, even foolish, and certainly a distraction from the movie's visual strengths. Read full review

  • 30
    Village Voice |

    Rodrigo Cortes keeps the action bound to the box, limiting his lighting to naturalistic approximations, so that much of Reynolds's performance consists of him grunting and heaving in the dark. Read full review

  • 30
    The New York Times | Stephen Holden

    In the movie's cheapest, most exploitative gesture - just as it is about to run out of tricks - a snake slithers into the pine box in which Paul awakens bound and gagged, not knowing where he is. With that gimmick, the movie sacrifices its last shred of integrity. Read full review

View more reviews for Buried on Metacritic

Information for Parents
Common Sense Media says Iffy for 16+ Intense buried-alive thriller may be too grueling for most.
What Parents Need to Know Parents need to know that Buried is a very intense thriller that takes place entirely within a coffin buried under the sand. Considering that most people have an innate fear of being buried alive, the movie can be nearly excruciating to watch -- although it's very well made. The main character (played by Ryan Reynolds) has a lighter, a cell phone, and some other supplies, but he's the only person shown on screen. Expect some intense behavior and strong language (including many uses of "f--k"). Brave older teens and grown-ups may be intrigued, but be ready for nightmares.
  • Families can talk about the psychological horror in this movie. Does it have more or less impact than gorier horror films? Why?
  • Is this movie scary? What's the difference between this kind of terror and something more supernatural?
The good stuff
  • message true0 Positive messages: The movie seems to say that sometimes bad things happen to good people, and there's very little anyone can do about it.
  • rolemodels true0 Positive role models: Paul never gives up trying to save his own life, and he spends his time thinking of his wife and child, even though he appears not to have led a squeaky-clean life. He learns to trust others and ask for help via the cell phone he has with him. He writes information down for future reference, and he's constantly solving problems. All of that said, the movie's outcome may obscure some of the character's finer points.
What to watch for
  • violence false2 Violence: Paul is threatened by his unseen captors, and he shouts at various people on his cell phone. Viewers see grainy video images (on a cell phone) of another girl being tortured with a gun to her head. In another scene, Paul must chop off his finger to appease his tormenters, but nothing is shown. A snake enters the coffin, and Paul kills it with fire.
  • sex false1 Sex: Nothing is shown, but Paul is accused of having an affair with a co-worker, which he denies.
  • language false4 Language: Many uses of "f--k," as well as "hell," "son of a bitch," "s--t," "c--t," "ass," "goddamn," "oh my God," and "d--k."
  • consumerism false0 Consumerism: One mention of SeaWorld.
  • drugsalcoholtobacco false1 Drinking, drugs and smoking: Paul has a metal flask with him, but it's never revealed what's inside. It could be alcohol or water. He also carries and takes pills for anxiety.
An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology. © Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

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Dave White

3.0

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