Fear and Desire

Year: 1952

Runtime: 62 mins

Language: English

Director: Stanley Kubrick

WarDramaThriller

After their plane crashes behind enemy lines, four desperate soldiers struggle to survive in hostile terrain. While searching for a way back to their battalion, they encounter a mysterious half‑animal peasant girl, whose presence forces them to confront the brutal realities and moral horrors of war.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Fear and Desire 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 – Fear and Desire (1952)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Fear and Desire (1952). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 05:04

Main Characters – Fear and Desire (1952)

Meet the key characters of Fear and Desire (1952), 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: August 19, 2025 at 05:04

Major Themes – Fear and Desire (1952)

Explore the central themes of Fear and Desire (1952), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 05:04

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies that explore the psychology of war like Fear and Desire

Characters pushed to the brink of sanity in the moral chaos of war.For viewers seeking films like Fear and Desire, this thread focuses on war stories that delve into the psychological breakdown and moral despair of soldiers. If you were gripped by the internal unraveling and bleak atmosphere, you'll find similar movies that treat war as a crucible for the human mind.

psychologicaldesperateunsettlingsomberoppressivephilosophicalclaustrophobic

Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread typically follow characters trapped in a war zone, where the central conflict is as much internal as external. The narrative arc is often a descent, charting the loss of innocence, the collapse of moral certainties, and the slow slide towards madness or profound despair under the weight of violence and survival.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped together because they share a core focus on the dehumanizing psychological effects of warfare. They prioritize mood and character introspection over action, creating a cohesive experience defined by a heavy emotional weight, a dark tone, and an unflinching look at the cost of conflict on the human psyche.

Claustrophobic survival stories with a bleak tone like Fear and Desire

Groups trapped in hostile environments, descending into moral and mental chaos.If you enjoyed the tense, trapped feeling and desperate survival narrative of Fear and Desire, this thread features similar movies. Discover other stories where small groups are isolated in hostile environments, facing psychological torment and moral decay under extreme pressure.

claustrophobicanxiousdesperatetenseoppressiveunsettlinggrim

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a group being cut off from safety, with their unity fracturing as resources dwindle and threats mount. The plot is a steady progression of survival challenges, but the true drama unfolds within the group dynamics, exploring themes of sacrifice, dehumanization, and the fragility of civilization under duress.

Why These Movies?

These movies share a potent mix of high-tension survival, a claustrophobic and anxious mood, and a dark exploration of group dynamics under stress. They are united by a steady pacing that builds dread, a heavy emotional weight, and a focus on the psychological price of survival in an oppressive, confined situation.

Unlock the Full Story of Fear and Desire

Don't stop at just watching — explore Fear and Desire 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 Fear and Desire is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Fear and Desire Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Fear and Desire, 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.

Fear and Desire Timeline

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

Fear and Desire Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Fear and Desire 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 Fear and Desire

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Fear and Desire: 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 Fear and Desire

Discover movies like Fear and Desire 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.