NoEscApril - Breakdown (1997)

Welcome to another episode of Death Don’t Do Fiction, the AIPT Movies podcast! The podcast about the enduring legacy of our favorite movies! It’s April, so that means it’s time for our “No EscApril” series, where we celebrate the wonder of thrillers! Not quite horror, not quite action, that sweet spot in the middle where danger is afoot, and lives are still on the line! In this week’s episode, Alex, Tim, and guest Chrissy Kurpeski discuss Kurt Russell’s overlooked 1997 open-road thriller, Breakdown!

Checkov's donuts! Truck-based CrossFit! A surprisingly explosive car! Vehicular drama with chills and thrills! Jeep Grand Cherokee product placement! Themes of consumerism and classism! Great, terrifyingly-believable villains! A title with multiple meanings! Jaw-dropping stunts! An incredible score from Basil Poledouris! Unbelievable, paranoia-inducing locations! A real nightmare for those with trust issues! Post-Captain Ron Kurt Russell giving a versatile and terrified "fish out of water" performance! M.C. Gainey taking fashion tips from Lemmy Kilmister! Jack Noseworthy from MTV's Dead at 21! An escalating story with tension, memorable set pieces, and a deeply satisfying finale from the director of Terminator 3, Jonathan Mostow!

In addition, Tim shares his spoiler-free thoughts on the first two Naked Gun movies, while Alex does the same for A Working Man, The Woman in the Yard, Drop, and Freaky Tales!

You can find Death Don’t Do Fiction on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. As always, if you enjoy the podcast, be sure to leave us a positive rating, subscribe to the show, and tell your friends!

The Death Don’t Do Fiction podcast brings you the latest in movie news, reviews, and more! Hosted by supposed “industry vets,” Alex Harris and Tim Gardiner, the show gives you a peek behind the scenes from three filmmakers with oddly nonexistent filmographies. You can find Alex on Twitter, Bluesky, or Letterboxd @actionharris. This episode’s guest, Chrissy Kurpeski, can be found on Instagram @absolutelyicebox or Letterboxd @farthouseflix. Tim can’t be found on social media because he doesn’t exist. If you have any questions or suggestions for the Death Don’t Do Fiction crew, they can be reached at [e-mail], or you can find them on Twitter or Instagram @aiptmoviespod.

Theme song is “We Got it Goin On” by Cobra Man.