Breakdown

Breakdown (1997)

  • 80% of critics liked it
    (49 reviews)

  • 61% of users liked it
    (35,112 ratings)

In this suspense thriller, a man discovers the unexpected danger of trusting a good Samaritan. Jeff Taylor (Kurt Russell) and his wife Amy (Kathleen Quinlan) are driving through the New Mexico desert en route to California when an incident with a lunatic driver causes their jeep to break down in the… More

Play Trailer

R,
Directed By
Written By
Jonathan Mostow, Sam Montgomery
Genres
Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense
In Theaters
May 2, 1997 Wide
Paramount Pictures

Critic Reviews

  • Stephen Hunter, Washington Post

    [Kurt Russell's] lack of energy afflicts the film as much as its director's lack of ideas.

  • Jeff Strickler, Minneapolis Star Tribune

    A taut suspense film.

  • Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

    Breakdown has plenty of deft action sequences, and what they add up to is nifty garbage disposal, with all of us -- characters, filmmakers, viewers -- ultimately spiraling down the same drain.

  • Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee

    An example of what happens when a new filmmaker comes along with a fresh perspective and manages to squeeze some life back into a by-now formula plot.

  • David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews

    ...one of the most effective and flat-out engrossing thrillers within recent cinematic history...

Read all 12 critic reviews

See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Conner R


    A plain old bad movie with a ridiculous plot and no logic. The first thirty minutes was sort've interesting, but after that it just takes a trip to crazy town. It just becomes the most ridiculous plot that has no base in reality. They tried to attempt blending abduction with… More

  • Anthony L


    It?s been done before and since. It?s been done better, it?s been done worse. It?s ok.

  • Jason O


    "Breakdown" is without a doubt one of the best action movies I've ever seen, and one of the more overlooked. It's about a married couple that get stranded after their car breaks down in the desert. A truck driver (J.T. Walsh), convincingly urges Kurt Russel that he… More

  • Red L


    One of those movies where the world is stacked against you, but you battle against the bad guys if it is the last thing you ever do. The movie keeps you interested til the very end, in fact at the end on the bridge, I was wondering if any one else would come along for Kurt Russell to… More

  • Aaron N


    Billy: You the fella looking for his wife? A damn good thriller that cuts off most of the fat and keeps everything moving. Its well made and stars Kurt Russell, suspend a little disbelief and you can have an exciting time. Russell plays Jeff, a man taking a cross country road trip… More

Read all 19 featured audience ratings

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Cast

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Trailers & Clips