Paul Conroy, an American truck driver working in Iraq, wakes up to find himself buried alive in a wooden coffin with only a lighter and a cell phone. Disoriented and terrified, he begins to piece together the events that led to his entrapment. Paul quickly realizes that he has been kidnapped and trapped underground by insurgents demanding a ransom for his release. Utilizing the phone, he desperately calls various contacts, including his family, his employers, and emergency services, seeking any form of assistance. However, communication is fraught with difficulties, and navigating conflicting instructions and dwindling battery life adds to his urgency and mental strain.

Desperation intensifies as Paul encounters numerous obstacles, including language barriers, bureaucratic hurdles, and the psychological toll of his situation. He tries to negotiate with his captors while simultaneously appealing to the U.S. government and his company for help. Faced with limited time, decreasing oxygen levels, and an increasing sense of helplessness, Paul wrestles with trust and his will to survive. Each phone call and interaction brings him closer to uncovering the grim reality of his predicament, as hope and despair clash in a claustrophobic battle for his life.