10 Movies and Shows Similar to Duel (1971)

Description: This classic thriller shares with 'Duel' a focus on the psychological and physical strain of a life-or-death journey. Both films use the vehicle (trucks in both cases) as a central element of tension, with the protagonists' survival depending on their ability to navigate increasingly perilous situations. The existential dread and relentless pacing are key similarities.

Fact: The film was banned in several countries due to its anti-capitalist themes. Director Henri-Georges Clouzot was known as the 'French Hitchcock'. The original cut was over four hours long before being edited down.

Description: Steven Spielberg's first theatrical feature shares with 'Duel' a focus on a high-speed chase and the dynamics between the pursuers and the pursued. Both films use the American landscape as a backdrop for tension and drama, with the vehicles playing a central role in the narrative. The blend of action and character development is a key similarity.

Fact: The film was based on a true story. Spielberg was only 26 years old when he directed it. The film marked the beginning of Spielberg's long collaboration with composer John Williams.

Description: This cult classic combines elements of 'Duel' with supernatural horror, as two couples are pursued by a sinister group of Satanists. Like 'Duel', the film uses the open road as a setting for relentless pursuit and escalating tension. The ordinary-vs.-extraordinary conflict is a key similarity.

Fact: The film was a major influence on later road horror movies like 'Jeepers Creepers'. Peter Fonda and Warren Oates starred as the male leads. The film's ending was famously ambiguous, leaving audiences debating its meaning.

Description: A remake of 'The Wages of Fear', 'Sorcerer' shares with 'Duel' a focus on the tension and danger of driving under extreme conditions. Both films feature ordinary men pushed to their limits by circumstances beyond their control, with the vehicles themselves becoming characters in the story. The visual style and atmospheric tension are also similar.

Fact: The film was a box office failure but has since gained a cult following. The title refers to one of the trucks, not to any magical elements. Director William Friedkin faced numerous challenges during the difficult shoot in the Dominican Republic.

Description: Like 'Duel', 'Mad Max' is a high-speed chase film that explores themes of revenge and survival on the open road. Both films feature a lone protagonist up against ruthless antagonists, with the car chases serving as the central action set pieces. The desolate landscapes and minimalist dialogue also create a similar atmosphere.

Fact: The film was made on a shoestring budget of around $400,

Description: Like 'Duel', 'Breakdown' is a tense thriller that pits an ordinary man against seemingly insurmountable odds on the highway. Both films explore themes of isolation and vulnerability, with the vast, empty landscapes amplifying the protagonist's desperation. The unseen (or barely seen) threat in 'Duel' is mirrored by the mysterious and ruthless antagonists in 'Breakdown'.

Fact: Kurt Russell performed most of his own stunts in the film. The movie was inspired by real-life incidents of highway kidnappings. Director Jonathan Mostow went on to direct 'Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines'.

Description: Similar to 'Duel' (1971), 'Joy Ride' is a high-octane thriller that revolves around a relentless pursuit on the open road. Both films feature ordinary people thrust into life-threatening situations by a mysterious and menacing antagonist. The tension is built through the cat-and-mouse dynamic between the protagonists and their unseen (or barely seen) pursuer, creating a sense of paranoia and helplessness.

Fact: The film was co-written by J.J. Abrams, who later became famous for directing 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens'. The truck driver's voice was provided by Ted Levine, best known for his role as Buffalo Bill in 'The Silence of the Lambs'. The film was originally titled 'Roadkill' but was changed to avoid confusion with another movie.

Description: A remake of the 1986 film, 'The Hitcher' shares with 'Duel' a focus on a mysterious, seemingly unstoppable antagonist who torments the protagonists on the highway. Both films explore themes of paranoia and survival, with the vast, empty landscapes adding to the sense of isolation and dread.

Fact: Sean Bean played the titular hitcher, bringing a chilling intensity to the role. The film was criticized for its extreme violence but praised for its suspenseful pacing. The original 1986 version is considered a cult classic.

Description: While 'No Country for Old Men' is more of a neo-western crime thriller, it shares with 'Duel' a relentless, almost supernatural antagonist who pursues his prey with single-minded determination. Both films create tension through minimal dialogue and a focus on the physical and psychological toll of the chase. The Coen Brothers' use of wide, empty landscapes also echoes Spielberg's visual style in 'Duel'.

Fact: Javier Bardem's iconic haircut as Anton Chigurh was inspired by a photograph of a 1970s Texas prisoner. The film won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture. The Coen Brothers considered not having any music in the film to heighten the realism.

Description: Quentin Tarantino's homage to 1970s car chase films shares with 'Duel' a focus on vehicular mayhem and a mysterious, relentless antagonist. Both films build tension through extended chase sequences and feature strong, resourceful female characters. The gritty, retro aesthetic of 'Death Proof' also echoes the raw, unfiltered style of 'Duel'.

Fact: The film was originally part of the double feature 'Grindhouse' with Robert Rodriguez's 'Planet Terror'. Kurt Russell's character, Stuntman Mike, was inspired by real-life stunt drivers. The car chase scenes were performed with practical effects, not CGI.