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Trailer

The Wages of Fear

1953Movie2 h 28 minPG-13

DramaThriller
83
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb8.1Letterboxd4.4/5Metacritic858.3

A nerve-racking, relentlessly bleak drama movie about everyday modern life and the mind, with standout direction and performances.

Good for friends night · teens · thought-provoking

Skip it if you need an uplifting mood

Where to watch

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Not for warmth, laughs or comfort.

Movies with

Story

‘Dynamic’ ‘Tremendous’ ‘Shattering’

In a run-down South American town, four men are paid to drive trucks loaded with nitroglycerin into the jungle through to the oil field. Friendships are tested and rivalries develop as they embark upon the perilous journey.

Feels like

  • Existential Thriller
  • High-Stakes Suspense
  • Anti-Colonial Critique
  • Psychological Endurance
  • French Cinema Classic
  • Gritty Realism
  • Fatalistic Tone
  • Masterful Direction
  • Capitalist Exploitation

Cast

12 of 12

Crew

Directed by
Henri-Georges Clouzot
Written by
Jérôme Géronimi, Henri-Georges Clouzot, Georges Arnaud
Produced by
Raymond Borderie, Henri-Georges Clouzot
Music by
Georges Auric

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

April 22, 1953 · 2 h 28 min · PG-13

Released
April 22, 1953
Runtime
2 h 28 min
Age rating
PG-13
Content
Violence, Strong Language, Disturbing Imagery
Genres
Drama, Thriller, Adventure
Original language
French
Also spoken
English, Spanish, Italian, German
Made in
France, Italy
Available in
23 countries
Keywords
based on novel or book

Tropes

Dropped a Bridge on Him, Driven to Suicide, Oh, Crap! +9

  • Dropped a Bridge on Him
  • Driven to Suicide
  • Oh, Crap!
  • Adaptational Nationality
  • Take the Wheel
  • Died in Your Arms Tonight
  • Can't You Read the Sign?
  • Bilingual Dialogue
  • Suicide Mission
  • Bad Boss
  • Shoot the Shaggy Dog
  • Dirty Coward

12 of 56 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

7 questions, like "Where can I stream The Wages of Fear?"

Questions about The Wages of Fear

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Wages of Fear?

HBO MaxKanopyTubi TV

In the United States, The Wages of Fear streams on HBO Max, and it is free with ads on Kanopy and Tubi TV. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home. It also streams in 15 other countries.

Is The Wages of Fear worth watching?

83
GreatGoodWatch score

Yes, it's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 83 (IMDb 8.1, Letterboxd 4.4 out of 5, and Metacritic 85).

Is The Wages of Fear okay for kids?

PG-13ViolenceStrong languageDisturbing imagery

Not for young kids: it's rated PG-13 in the United States for violence, strong language, and disturbing imagery, and the viewing guide lists it for teens and adults.

Will I feel good after watching The Wages of Fear?

BleakHopeful

Probably not: the title analysis rates it 9 of 10 for bleakness and 5 for melancholy, against 1 for hopefulness.

Is The Wages of Fear plot-driven or character-driven?

CharactersPlot

Mostly character-driven: it leans on character depth (8 of 10) and dialogue centrality (7 of 10) more than on its plot.

Is The Wages of Fear in English?

FrenchEnglishSpanishItalianGerman

No, it was made in French, with some English, Spanish, Italian, and German.

What tropes does The Wages of Fear use?

Dropped a Bridge on HimDriven to SuicideOh, Crap!Adaptational NationalityTake the WheelDied in Your Arms TonightCan't You Read the Sign?Bilingual DialogueSuicide MissionBad BossShoot the Shaggy DogDirty Cowardand 44 more

TV Tropes lists 56 tropes for it, including Dropped a Bridge on Him, Driven to Suicide, and Oh, Crap!.