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Breakdown

Play trailer Poster for Breakdown R 1997 1h 33m Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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83% Tomatometer 58 Reviews 69% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
On their cross-country drive, a married couple, Jeff (Kurt Russell) and Amy Taylor (Kathleen Quinlan), experience car trouble after an accident. Stranded in the New Mexico desert, the two catch a break when a passing truck driver, Red Barr (J.T. Walsh), offers to drive Amy to a nearby café to call for help. Meanwhile, Jeff is able to fix the car and make his way to the café, only to find his wife missing and Barr claiming ignorance. Jeff then begins a frenzied search for Amy.
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Breakdown

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Critics Consensus

A brainy and suspenseful -- if somewhat uneven -- thriller.

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Critics Reviews

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Sara Michelle Fetters MovieFreak.com Its simplicity is striking, and because the central premise is wholly believable, the sensational and impossible aspects become equally genuine as the film goes along. Rated: 3.5/4 Jul 1, 2022 Full Review Lisa Schwarzbaum Entertainment Weekly Rated: A- Sep 7, 2011 Full Review Stephen Hunter Washington Post [Kurt Russell's] lack of energy afflicts the film as much as its director's lack of ideas. May 7, 2003 Full Review Jen Johans Film Intuition Clocking in at roughly ninety minutes, Mostow's film plays like a gritty yet glossy entry into the universally relatable Ordinary Person in Extraordinary Peril subgenre Oct 13, 2021 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy A turbo-charged thriller. Rated: 3/4 Sep 24, 2021 Full Review Allison Rose FlickDirect Despite a few hiccups, Breakdown is a solid movie and Paramount Pictures made a very good choice adding to their Paramount Presents collection. Rated: 4/5 Sep 23, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Jeffrey D I picked this VHS tape up from Goodwill for $0.99 plus tax. It’s probably one of the most suspenseful movies I’ve ever seen. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/16/25 Full Review Ian B Grab some popcorn and a beer for this thrilling non stop action movie. I can't believe I've not seen this before. Very enjoyable, fast paced with superb real stuntwork and great all round performances. Excellent Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/15/25 Full Review Andy B Simple but effective and undeservedly forgotten little 90's kidnap thriller. Recommended. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/06/25 Full Review mock c How in the heck does this thing have a 69% audience score? I just watched red letter media and they informed me about this movie, I just watched it for the first time in 2025 the year of Our Lord. This effing movie is incredible. No stupid '90s catchphrases and Bare Bones action. And even though this thing has a 90% audience score we must realize that, also, there are dumb people in this world. Go see the movie. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/09/25 Full Review Online A Firmly gripping despite taking place in broad daylight. An effective thriller built on a simple storyline. Certain shots and moments have stuck with me over the years, and upon re-viewing it stood the test of time. It's a very good movie that does more with less. One of my favorites in the genre. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 12/23/24 Full Review Birithivy Y Breakdown - 10/10. Decided to watch this, considering that everyone is saying that Vidaamuyarchi is going to be a remake of this film. And I’m glad I watched this, because, it’s a fantastic movie! Super shocked this didn’t do as well as I thought it would’ve at the box office, but who cares! This a mystery thriller that just so happens to be a horror movie in circumstance. Whatever horror stories you can think of in terms of being stranded in a desert highway, and being kidnapped when trying to get help, then that’s the gist of this film. Kurt Russell (we really need to put more respect on that man’s name cause he’s fantastic here) is an everyday man who is thrust into a horrible situation here, dealing with his wife being taken away when he thought a truck driver was trying to assist the two while being stranded roadside. Honestly, its the trust he puts on this total stranger that is the most baffling thing about this movie (but I guess its a 90’s thing cause no way in hell would I or many others trust a stranger just like that). What ensues is a deadly and entertaining cat and mouse game of this man trying with all the will in his soul to get his wife back to safety. What I love about this movie is that it gradually gains tension and suspense. As it does, it shifts gears (no pun intended) from mystery to thriller. Its a damn shame Jonathan Mostow’s career kinda got derailed by Terminator 3 (I liked it for its ending, but I could see why it caused a downward trajectory for him), because he knows exactly how to exact great tension from the story. If Vidaamuyarchi is half as good as this, I’ll be happy! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/05/24 Full Review Read all reviews
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Breakdown

Breakdown: Official Clip - I Want My Wife Back Breakdown: Official Clip - I Want My Wife Back 2:13 Breakdown: Official Clip - Give Me the Key Breakdown: Official Clip - Give Me the Key 1:57 Breakdown: Official Clip - Truck to the Face Breakdown: Official Clip - Truck to the Face 2:12 Breakdown: Official Clip - What Do You Want? Breakdown: Official Clip - What Do You Want? 2:02 Breakdown: Official Clip - Jeff Rescues Amy Breakdown: Official Clip - Jeff Rescues Amy 2:11 Breakdown: Official Clip - Truck Chase Breakdown: Official Clip - Truck Chase 2:12 Breakdown: Official Clip - Earl Shoots the Sheriff Breakdown: Official Clip - Earl Shoots the Sheriff 2:13 Breakdown: Official Clip - Jeff Breaks Free Breakdown: Official Clip - Jeff Breaks Free 2:07 View more videos
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Movie Info

Synopsis On their cross-country drive, a married couple, Jeff (Kurt Russell) and Amy Taylor (Kathleen Quinlan), experience car trouble after an accident. Stranded in the New Mexico desert, the two catch a break when a passing truck driver, Red Barr (J.T. Walsh), offers to drive Amy to a nearby café to call for help. Meanwhile, Jeff is able to fix the car and make his way to the café, only to find his wife missing and Barr claiming ignorance. Jeff then begins a frenzied search for Amy.
Director
Jonathan Mostow
Producer
Martha De Laurentiis, Dino De Laurentiis
Screenwriter
Jonathan Mostow, Sam Montgomery
Production Co
Dino De Laurentiis Company
Rating
R
Genre
Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA)
$50.2M
Runtime
1h 33m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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