Buried Alive (1990)
A chilling TV thriller about betrayal, a poisoning gone wrong, and one man's terrifying return from the grave for revenge.
Buried Alive - Movie Information
- Original Title: Buried Alive
- Release Year: 1990
- Directed by: Frank Darabont
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Thriller, Crime, Horror, TV Movie
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 1h 34m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): May 9, 1990 (United States - R)
- Alternative Titles: Till Death Do Us Part (US), Bosszú a sírból (HU), Θαμμένος Ζωντανός (GR), Strategia di una vendetta (IT)
- Production Companies: Niki Marvin Productions, Universal Television
- Production Countries: United States of America
Buried Alive - Plot
A married woman and her lover plot to kill her husband to make off with the insurance money. However, their attempt to murder him using poisonous fish toxins backfires in surprising ways.
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Buried Alive - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Frank Darabont
Main Cast
- Tim Matheson
- Jennifer Jason Leigh
- William Atherton
- Hoyt Axton
- Jay Gerber
- Wayne Grace
- Donald Hotton
- Brian Libby
- Peg Shirley
- David Youse
Writers
- David A. Davies
Producers
- Niki Marvin
Buried Alive - FAQs
What is Buried Alive (1990) about?
Buried Alive follows Clint Goodman, a man whose unfaithful wife and her lover poison him with fish toxins and bury him for dead to collect his insurance money. But Clint survives, claws his way out of the grave, and returns with a chilling plan for revenge. It's a taut, darkly satisfying thriller.
Does Clint actually survive being buried alive?
Yes — that's the film's central twist. The fish toxin used to poison Clint only mimics death, leaving him in a death-like state. He regains consciousness inside his coffin, escapes, and returns home very much alive. His survival sets the stage for a tense and satisfying revenge story.
Where can you watch Buried Alive (1990)?
You can find streaming and viewing options for Buried Alive (1990) on JustWatch, which lists all available platforms in your region — whether that's rental, purchase, or a streaming subscription. Availability can vary depending on your country, so it's worth checking directly.
Is Buried Alive based on a true story?
Buried Alive is not based on a specific true story. It's a fictional thriller written by David A. Davies, though it draws on the age-old fear of premature burial — a very real phobia known as taphophobia. The premise taps into that primal dread while crafting a revenge-driven narrative.
Who directed Buried Alive and why does it matter?
Frank Darabont directed Buried Alive — and that's a notable fact. Just a few years later, Darabont would go on to direct The Shawshank Redemption (1994) and The Green Mile (1999). This 1990 TV movie is an early look at a filmmaker who would become one of Hollywood's most celebrated storytellers.
Who are the main actors in Buried Alive?
The film stars Tim Matheson as the ill-fated Clint Goodman, Jennifer Jason Leigh as his scheming wife Joanna, and William Atherton as her conniving lover Cort van Owen. Hoyt Axton rounds out the key cast as the local sheriff. It's a strong ensemble for a TV movie of its era.
Is Buried Alive (1990) worth watching today?
Absolutely, especially for fans of classic TV thrillers and Frank Darabont completists. The film delivers a tightly wound story of betrayal and revenge with solid performances from Jennifer Jason Leigh and Tim Matheson. It's a lean, effective genre piece that holds up well and offers a fascinating early glimpse of Darabont's craft.
What are some movies similar to Buried Alive?
If you enjoyed Buried Alive, you might like A Perfect Murder (1998), Arsenic and Old Lace (1944), or Butterfly on a Wheel (2007) — all films that explore betrayal, scheming spouses, and dark revenge. Careful What You Wish For (2015) and Infidelity in Suburbia (2017) also share similar themes of dangerous desire and deadly consequences.
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