Watch Buried (2021)

Buried (2021) is a gripping psychological thriller series that premiered on Showtime in 2021. The show is set in the present day and follows a woman named Karen (played by Jenna Loli) who has been abducted and buried alive in a wooden coffin. The story takes us on a journey of survival, as Karen fights to free herself from the claustrophobic confines of the coffin. Along the way, she must confront her own demons and face the person responsible for her captivity. The show begins with the abduction of Karen. She wakes up in complete darkness, with very little space and with no idea how she got there. Her struggling and screaming gradually deteriorates to a state of absolute despair. From here on, it is a race against time to get out before her oxygen runs out. Karen soon realizes that she must rely on her own instincts and intelligence to survive and escape. She begins to reminisce about her past to keep her mind active and to give her the strength to continue fighting. Karen isn't alone. She is not far from civilization but in a location where no one can hear her. Buried in an unknown location, she must work quickly to find a way out and get help before it's too late. The show keeps you on edge as Karen's time in the coffin ticks away. With every second, the situation becomes bleaker and more desperate. In parallel to Karen's struggle, the series also delves into her past and showcases the root of her troubles. The show explores dark themes such as abuse, trauma, addiction, and mental illness. Through flashbacks and memories, we see her earlier life and the relationships she had with her family and friends. In this way, the show's narrative swerves between Karen's fight for survival and the background information on her personal life, giving us much-needed context for her actions and reactions. One of the show's strengths is Loli's performance; she gives us a raw and intense portrayal of a woman struggling to stay alive. Her emotional depth, pain, and yearning for freedom are palpable, making us feel like we are experiencing her horrors firsthand. Another standout performance is by the veteran actor, Clancy Brown (Captain Hadley from The Shawshank Redemption), who delivers a stirring performance as one of Karen's questionable father figures, Thomas. Brown's portrayal is a masterclass in keeping the audience guessing about whether his intentions for Karen are malevolent or not. The show's creators, Mark Friedman and Vicky Jewson, keep the audience guessing at every turn. They masterfully use the claustrophobic atmosphere of the coffin to build tension and suspense. Buried is not just a survival story; it is a story of redemption and finding the will to keep going, even when everything seems lost. The show deals with multiple layers of Karen's personality and the people responsible for her captivity, creating an engaging and multi-faceted story. In addition to the acting and the story, the production design is another impressive element. The show's visual style is minimalistic, yet effective. The cinematography amplifies the anxieties and claustrophobia of Karen's predicament and creates an immersive experience that drags us in and doesn't let go. The music, composed by Tom Hodge, is haunting and emotional, adding to the stress and urgency of Karen's situation. Buried (2021) provides a thrilling ride that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The show has received critical acclaim for its performances, storytelling, and production design and is a must-watch for fans of suspenseful and psychologically driven dramas. The show's eight-episode run is perfectly executed, creating a showcase of its unparalleled artistry. Showtime's Buried is a wake-up call that good TV shows can be made with just the right mix of creative imagination, technology, and performance.