10 Notable Movies Featuring (Mostly) Two Actors

It's fair to say that the vast majority of cinema's most commercially successful movies are built on large ensemble casts, with actors effectively becoming "brands" onto themselves which studios can exploit for their own marketing gain.

But every so often a movie will dare to go in the opposite direction and strip away the comfort of a stacked cast, opting instead for a smaller roster of actors and, in some cases, even just two.

It's a dangerous tactic if only because it forces a movie to rely entirely on two performers and little else: there are no supporting actors to help bolster the film's themes or characterisation in a more subtle way, and everything will typically go into focusing on one central character dynamic.

As made evident by these 10 notable films starring (mostly) just two actors, the two-hander "gimmick" also often invites directors to confine the performers to a single room or small series of locations, creating an even greater reliance on the abilities of the two cast members.

With their minimalism and their experimental nature, these 10 films won't be for all tastes, but if you're hankering for a bold acting showcase or two, they're all absolutely worth your time...