4x4 2019

Ciro, portrayed by Peter Lanzani, finds himself in a perilous and bizarre situation while wandering through a neighborhood in Buenos Aires. His curiosity is piqued by an SUV, which he decides to break into. In an act of desperation and defiance, he proceeds to steal various items, including the stereo, and even vandalizes the vehicle. His thrill quickly turns into panic as he realizes the doors won’t budge when he attempts to escape. As Ciro frantically rips off the door panels trying to get out, he injures himself while reaching for the lock mechanism, and his attempts to shoot through the bulletproof windshield only result in ricocheting bullets that injure him further.

As he struggles to call for help, his cellphone unexpectedly dies, propelling his situation into a dire state. With blood gushing from his arm, he has no choice but to fashion a makeshift tourniquet out of his shirt. The oppressive heat compounds his dilemma as he finishes the last of his drink, leading him to desperate measures like licking the car’s windows in search of moisture. As night falls, Ciro’s situation becomes increasingly precarious, with the overwhelming thirst making him feel utterly helpless.

The following morning presents a sliver of hope when Ciro manages to reconnect the stereo to ward off the encroaching madness. His moment of comfort is interrupted as he receives an alarming phone call from the car’s owner, Dr. Enrique Ferrari, played by Dady Brieva. Dr. Ferrari reveals to Ciro that the state-of-the-art security system, which he calls “4x4,” has effectively immobilized him within the vehicle. It’s designed to be impervious to escape, accentuating Ciro’s sense of despair as he realizes he is completely isolated, invisible to the world outside.

With a mix of taunts and revelations about his own life, Dr. Ferrari shares personal insights, including his status as a widower and a terminal cancer diagnosis, which add a layer of complexity to their bizarre interaction. Ciro, meanwhile, becomes increasingly agitated, threatening Enrique and insisting he be released from his bizarre captivity. Their exchange showcases a psychological struggle, with Ciro insisting on his innocence and resolve against a system he believes has wronged him and others in his situation.

As the days drag on, Ciro’s physical condition deteriorates. He suffers from infections, becomes dehydrated, and teeters on the brink of insanity, all while futilely attempting to escape the car. He resorts to eating anything he can—drawing on the car’s interior, consuming paper from the manual, and even drinking his own urine, all as he grapples with the dual threats of starvation and madness. Dr. Ferrari’s intermittent calls turn into a twisted game of manipulation, offering Ciro glimpses of food and water but increasing his torment with every revelation about Ciro’s family, including his wife Irina and son Lionel. The torment escalates when Enrique recounts Ciro’s criminal past, pushing him to the edge of despair.

Just as hope emerges with the potential for water and even a chocolate bar, Ciro’s situation spirals further into chaos as he finds himself forced to confront his reality. He finally manages to charge his phone in the sunlight long enough to reach out to his family, only to find the connection severed once more. When he finally determines to escape and successfully starts the car, a sense of temporary relief washes over him.

However, this moment is cut short as his actions lead to violence and tragedy. Dreaming of freedom, Ciro finds that the lines between nightmare and reality blur, culminating in a standoff between him and the police. Retired negotiator Julio Amadeo, portrayed by Luis Brandoni, is brought in to help resolve the situation, but things complicate as the community divides in their sympathy—for both Ciro and Enrique.

In a dramatic conclusion, Dr. Ferrari makes a final sacrifice, detonating the car in a heartbreaking moment of despair, leaving Ciro to grapple with complex feelings of freedom coupled with impending arrest. The media sensationalizes the event, dubbing Enrique the ‘Samurai Doctor,’ while Ciro must now face the consequences of his actions. Following medical treatment, he awaits trial, his life irrevocably changed by an incident that highlights deep societal issues and the darkness in human nature.