10 Spine-Chilling Horror Movies Set In The Desert

5. Duel

Revenge 2017
Universal Studios

Marking the first major feature of one Steven Spielberg, this action thriller is still enjoyed by audiences today. A precursor to his Jaws - what if the shark was a truck? - the film's hook is deceptively simple.

Travelling through the desert on his way to meet a client, David Mann (Dennis Weaver) finds himself pursued by a battered old tanker truck. The truck has a driver, of course, but that barely seems important.

Influential to films like Joy Ride and Jeepers Creepers, the truck is treated as an unstoppable force, doggedly pursuing Mann to the end of the road. With nothing but the ragged, empty desert and the open road ahead of or behind of him, the truck is an astoundingly effective villain - the Jason Voorhees of trucks.

Considered to be a cult classic and major cinematic milestone, Duel remains a force to be reckoned with, even today.

Contributor
Contributor

A film critic and professional writer of over ten years, Joel Harley has a deep and abiding love of all things horror, Batman and Nicolas Cage. He can be found writing online and in print, all over the Internet and in especially good bookstores.