Breakdown

Name: Breakdown
Genre: Thriller
Released: May 2, 1997
Duration: 93 min
Rating: 73
Cast: J.T. Walsh, Kathleen Quinlan, Kurt Russell

1997

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 19 Critics

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 79 Ratings

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8.7

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8.7	Your Score
8.7	User Score Universal acclaim based on 79 Ratings

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BREAKDOWN

Movie Details & Credits

Paramount Pictures | Release Date: May 2, 1997

Starring: J.T. Walsh, Kathleen Quinlan, Kurt Russell

Summary: Jeff Taylor (Russell) and his wife Amy (Quinlan) are headed toward a new life in California when their car's engine dies on a remote highway. Amy accepts a ride from a helpful trucker (Walsh) while Jeff waits with the car. But when Jeff shows up at the agreed rendezvous, he finds his wife's not there. The locals aren't talking; the policeJeff Taylor (Russell) and his wife Amy (Quinlan) are headed toward a new life in California when their car's engine dies on a remote highway. Amy accepts a ride from a helpful trucker (Walsh) while Jeff waits with the car. But when Jeff shows up at the agreed rendezvous, he finds his wife's not there. The locals aren't talking; the police aren't much help. With no one to turn to, Jeff battles his worst fears and begins a desperate, danger-ridden search to find Amy -- before it's too late! (Paramount Pictures)… Expand

Director: Jonathan Mostow

Genre(s): Thriller

Rating: R

Runtime: 93 min

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Awards & Rankings

28	#28 Best Movie of 1997
66	#66 Most Discussed Movie of 1997
54	#54 Most Shared Movie of 1997

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

San Francisco Chronicle - Peter Stack

Bucking the lava tide of computer special effects gushing out of Hollywood this season, the makers of Breakdown use old-fashioned ingenuity -- plus a compelling star, a fast- paced mystery and a deadpan villain -- to come up with a sizzler. Read full review

L.A. Weekly - F. X. Feeney

Breakdown recalls so many good movies, in such unpredictable order, that by the end it simply stands on its own, a solid, logical, edge-of-the-seat sluiceway of escape and pursuit. Read full review

The New York Times - Elvis Mitchell

His Breakdown is a tough, vigorous exercise in pure action, shot with throwback expertise and, most refreshingly, without special effects. Read full review

Christian Science Monitor - David Sterritt

It starts slowly, but builds to a spectacular climax with hearty sound effects and deftly directed stunts. Read full review

Chicago Sun-Times - Roger Ebert

Breakdown is a fine thriller, and its ending is unworthy of it. Read full review

Washington Post - Stephen Hunter

The movie's surrender to banality is all the more dispiriting because it gets off to such a good start. Read full review

ReelViews - James Berardinelli

Breakdown is the latest in a seemingly endless traffic jam of thrillers that opens strong but finishes abominably. Read full review

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User Reviews

TylerDurden900

Jul 18, 2014

Breakdown is a fantastic thriller with Kurt Russell. The movie has great imagination and few movies can
have no flaws or slower paced scenes. Breakdown is a thriller in the tradition of all the classic thrillers.

13 of 14 users found this helpful131

BrandonU.

Nov 2, 2005

A very well made thriller with great performaces from Kurt Russell and the late, great, J.T. Walsh.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

TryASummersault

Mar 11, 2018

This thriller is absolutely relentless from the start and actually horrifyingly plausible. The desert setting proves for a great backdrop for the chaos to ensue and the suspense and tension is heavily consistent. The final gripping 20 min is some of the most intense thrilling cinema I'veThis thriller is absolutely relentless from the start and actually horrifyingly plausible. The desert setting proves for a great backdrop for the chaos to ensue and the suspense and tension is heavily consistent. The final gripping 20 min is some of the most intense thrilling cinema I've ever seen and was executed flawlessly. Kurt Russel once again proves to be one of the most excitingly underrated actors of all time with a stunningly determined performance. This is everything a thriller should be even at its simplest points, and delivers across the board for the genre.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MikeyStephens

Mar 10, 2014

One of my favourite films of all time, why?.

Because it felt real I had watched this young so I had a imagination that was way to big to control. I had liked and watched this great thriller genre that I would say now easily pitch's up to the master of thrillers like the great AldredOne of my favourite films of all time, why?.

Because it felt real I had watched this young so I had a imagination that was way to big to control. I had liked and watched this great thriller genre that I would say now easily pitch's up to the master of thrillers like the great Aldred Hitchcock would definitely recommend this classic to any who are interested in great stories and unpredictable conclusions.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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