Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- bleak
- expressionistic
- claustrophobic
- late night arthouse viewing
- kubrick retrospective
What critics said
Critics have recognized striking early talent and memorable imagery despite the film’s austere, experimental execution and limited commercial success.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The soldiers operate within a fictitious war in an unidentified country, making the conflict deliberately symbolic.
The stranded soldiers’ forest hideout behind enemy lines becomes a disorienting, almost dreamlike zone of fear and isolation.
The four survivors’ escape plan is disrupted by competing impulses involving the enemy general and the young woman.
Kenneth Harp plays both Lt. Corby and the General, while the soldiers’ encounter with the enemy creates deliberate identity parallels.
Films like Fear and Desire, and why
Paths of Glory
shared antiwar drama, psychological tension, and morally destabilizing military setting
The Thin Red Line
shared surreal war atmosphere, existential dread, and soldiers trapped behind enemy lines
The Ascent
shared stark black-and-white war imagery, fatalism, and psychological disintegration
Movie Details
- Director
- Stanley Kubrick
- Release Date
- 1953-03-31
- Runtime
- 62 min
- Rating
- 5.4 / 10 (559)
Cast
- Frank Silvera
- Kenneth Harp
- Paul Mazursky
- Stephen Coit
- Virginia Leith
- David Allen
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Philo, Brew, Fandor Amazon Channel, FlixFling, FILMBOX+ Stream, Kino Film Collection, FilmBox Live Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling, MovieMe
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Fear and Desire about?
- Stranded behind enemy lines in an invented war, four soldiers confront a mission whose physical dangers mirror their unraveling minds.
- What is Fear and Desire like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Fear and Desire as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Fear and Desire violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Fear and Desire as moderate.
- What did critics think of Fear and Desire?
- Critics have recognized striking early talent and memorable imagery despite the film’s austere, experimental execution and limited commercial success.
- Which films are like Fear and Desire?
- Films with a similar feel include Paths of Glory, The Thin Red Line, and The Ascent.
- How long is Fear and Desire?
- Fear and Desire runs 62 minutes.
- Where can I watch Fear and Desire?
- In United States, Fear and Desire streams on Philo, Brew, Fandor Amazon Channel, FlixFling, FILMBOX+ Stream, Kino Film Collection, FilmBox Live Amazon Channel.
