Buried Alive
Performance & Direction: Buried Alive Review
Last updated: January 24, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Buried Alive (1990) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.6/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Thriller.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Thriller is often anchored by its ensemble, and Buried Alive features a noteworthy lineup led by Tim Matheson . Supported by the likes of Jennifer Jason Leigh and William Atherton , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Buried Alive (1990) is generally positive. With an audience rating of 6.6/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Story & Plot Summary: Buried Alive
Quick Plot Summary: Buried Alive is a Thriller, Crime, Horror, TV Movie film that builds tension through unpredictable twists and keeps audiences guessing until the final reveal. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: Buried Alive
Ending Breakdown: Buried Alive concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to thriller resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the thriller themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Buried Alive reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Buried Alive Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Buried Alive incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a thriller, crime, horror, tv movie film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.
Historical Context
The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.
Accuracy Assessment: Buried Alive adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch Buried Alive?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Thriller films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want suspenseful moments and mystery
Box Office Collection: Buried Alive
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $2.0M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Buried Alive Budget
The estimated production budget for Buried Alive is $2.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: Buried Alive
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Where to Watch Buried Alive Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Blockbuster🏷️ Buy on
BlockbusterBuried Alive Parents Guide & Age Rating
1990 AdvisoryWondering about Buried Alive age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Buried Alive is 94 minutes (1h 34m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.6/10, and global performance metrics, Buried Alive is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1990 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Buried Alive worth watching?
Buried Alive is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Thriller movies. It has a verified rating of 6.6/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Buried Alive parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Buried Alive identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Buried Alive?
The total duration of Buried Alive is 94 minutes, which is approximately 1h 34m long.
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How Buried Alive Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Buried Alive
Entertaining enough made-for-cable TV movie moves at a brisk pace and has a great finale. Good performances from the three main cast members with Tim Matheson, Jennifer Jason Leigh and William Atherton (surprise surprise plays a scumbag) makes this worth checking out (saw it on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber). **3.5/5**
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
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