Duel

Year: 1971

Runtime: 90 min

Language: English

Director: Steven Spielberg

ActionThriller

While driving along a lonely highway, a salesman named David Mann finds himself pursued by a large, menacing oil tanker. What begins as a frustrating encounter quickly turns into a dangerous game of cat and mouse as the tanker's driver seems determined to harass and intimidate him. David’s ordinary drive transforms into a desperate fight for survival, pushing him to his limits as he attempts to outmaneuver and stop his relentless pursuer in a thrilling battle of wills.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Duel yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Duel (1971)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Duel (1971). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:12

Main Characters – Duel (1971)

Meet the key characters of Duel (1971), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:12

Major Themes – Duel (1971)

Explore the central themes of Duel (1971), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:12

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Thrillers set in isolated locations like Duel

Stories where a confined, hostile setting becomes the stage for a desperate fight for survival.If the tense, confined cat-and-mouse chase of Duel had you on the edge of your seat, explore these movies like Duel. This collection features similar thrillers where a single, isolated setting—a highway, a phone booth, a ship—becomes a deadly arena for a desperate battle of survival against a relentless opponent.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a straightforward, linear structure centered on a prolonged, high-stakes confrontation. A protagonist, often an everyman, is trapped in a limited space by an antagonistic force, leading to a tense game of cat and mouse where the primary goal is pure survival and eventual victory over the threat.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared ability to generate intense, claustrophobic suspense from a simple, confined premise. They feature fast pacing, high intensity, and a tense tone that keeps viewers in a state of anxious anticipation from start to finish.

Movies with an unseen villain like in Duel

Stories driven by the psychological terror of an anonymous, unstoppable antagonist.For viewers who loved the terrifying mystery of the truck driver in Duel, this list highlights movies similar to Duel. Discover other thrillers where the villain is an unseen or anonymous force, creating a powerful sense of paranoia and making the protagonist's fight for survival a psychologically intense experience.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a protagonist being systematically hunted or tormented by an antagonist whose identity and motives remain obscured. This lack of information escalates the psychological stakes, forcing the hero to confront not just a physical threat, but also their own growing fear and paranoia, culminating in a direct confrontation.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their use of an anonymous villain to create a unique brand of suspense. The focus is on the psychological impact of being stalked by an unseen entity, resulting in a tense, paranoid mood and a straightforward plot driven by relentless pursuit.

Unlock the Full Story of Duel

Don't stop at just watching — explore Duel in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Duel is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Duel Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Duel, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Duel Timeline

Track the full timeline of Duel with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Duel Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Duel that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

More About Duel

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Duel: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

Similar Movies to Duel

Discover movies like Duel that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.