Gold (2022) is a survival thriller set in a harsh desert landscape, directed by Anthony Hayes and starring Zac Efron. The film follows a drifter who, while traveling through a desolate wasteland, stumbles upon an enormous gold nugget alongside his companion. Realizing its immense value, they devise a plan to extract it, but one of them must stay behind to guard the treasure while the other fetches equipment. Left alone in the brutal environment, the drifter faces extreme conditions, dwindling supplies, and the constant threat of intruders, forcing him into a desperate struggle for survival.

As days pass, the drifter’s physical and mental state deteriorates due to dehydration, heat, and paranoia. His isolation amplifies his fear, making him question whether his partner will return or abandon him for the gold. Encounters with wild animals and mysterious strangers heighten the tension, turning his vigil into a nightmarish ordeal. The film explores themes of greed, isolation, and human endurance, using minimal dialogue and a bleak, atmospheric setting to heighten its suspense. With a gripping performance by Efron and striking cinematography, Gold delivers a tense, slow-burning thriller that examines the cost of ambition and survival in an unforgiving world.