4X4 (2019)

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A Claustrophobic Showdown of Moral Ambiguity

Director: Mariano Cohn
Writers: Mariano Cohn, Gastón Duprat
Starring: Peter Lanzani, Dady Brieva
Countries of Origin: Argentina, Spain
Runtime: 90 minutes

In Mariano Cohn’s tightly-wound thriller “4X4,” the director transforms a luxury SUV into a claustrophobic prison cell that serves as both narrative device and pointed social commentary on Argentina’s complex relationship with crime, justice, and class division.

The film follows Ciro (Peter Lanzani), a small-time criminal who breaks into what appears to be an unattended high-end SUV parked on a quiet Buenos Aires street. After helping himself to the car’s computer system and defiling the interior, Ciro discovers too late that he’s walked into a sophisticated trap. The vehicle, customized by its owner Dr. Enrique Ferrari (Dady Brieva), is a technological fortress – bulletproof, soundproof, and hermetically sealed from the outside world.

What begins as a straightforward premise quickly evolves into a psychological battle of wills when Dr. Ferrari establishes remote communication with his captive and reveals he can control all of the vehicle’s functions, leaving Ciro at his mercy. What follows is a dark, thought-provoking exchange between two characters who exist in a moral gray area – neither heroes nor conventional villains, but rather two opposing forces shaped by a society fractured by inequality and disillusionment.

Cohn and Duprat’s screenplay tackles “contentious and controversial topics such as enforcing justice outside the law, and the narrow line that separates victims from assailants.” The film asks difficult questions about vigilantism, social responsibility, and the breakdown of institutional justice without offering simplistic answers. The luxury vehicle becomes “a microcosm for Argentina, depicted as a nation that has lost faith in local law enforcement and the justice system.”

Lanzani delivers a remarkably physical performance, conveying Ciro’s escalating desperation while confined to the vehicle’s interior for most of the film’s runtime. Working with limited space, he manages to create a character who, despite his criminal actions, evokes complex emotional responses from the audience. Brieva provides the perfect counterbalance as Dr. Ferrari, whose calm exterior masks deep trauma and calculated vengeance.

The film’s technical elements enhance its claustrophobic tone, with cinematographer Kiko de la Rica making ingenious use of the confined space. Though not “as claustrophobic as the likes of ‘Buried,'” the panic and struggle remain palpable throughout as Ciro watches the outside world continue indifferently while he fights for survival.

Where “4X4” truly excels is in its refusal to provide easy moral clarity. Had Ciro been a more sympathetic character—perhaps someone breaking into the vehicle for noble reasons—the audience might find it easier to pick sides. Instead, Cohn forces viewers to confront uncomfortable questions about justice, retribution, and whether the ends ever justify the means.

Despite being set almost entirely within a single location with minimal characters, the film maintains tension throughout its runtime—a testament to Cohn’s skillful direction and the strength of the central performances. The social commentary never overwhelms the thriller elements, but rather enriches them with meaningful subtext about contemporary Argentine society.

“4X4” was recognized at several international film festivals, including nominations at Sitges, Cairo, and Havana Film Festivals, highlighting its appeal beyond Argentine borders as a universal examination of crime, punishment, and the human tendency toward taking justice into one’s own hands.

While currently holding a modest 5.7/10 rating on IMDb, “4X4” deserves greater recognition for its ambitious storytelling, technical prowess, and willingness to explore complex moral territory. It stands as a worthy 7.5/10—a taut, intelligent thriller that uses its high-concept premise to deliver both entertainment and thought-provoking social critique.

Rating: 7.5/10

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