In this episode of Reel Redux, we take a deep dive into The Incident (1967), the uncompromising psychological thriller directed by Larry Peerce and starring Martin Sheen and Beau Bridges. Set almost entirely aboard a New York City subway train, this intense and uncomfortable cult film turns an ordinary journey home into a terrifying examination of fear, intimidation, violence, and human behaviour. The Incident follows a group of passengers travelling through New York when two young men board the train and begin terrorising the people around them. What starts as disturbing behaviour gradually escalates, trapping the passengers in an increasingly frightening situation with nowhere to escape. The film's simple premise becomes a powerful study of how ordinary people react when confronted with aggression, humiliation, and the threat of violence. In this episode, we break down The Incident (1967) in detail, exploring its story, characters, performances, themes, and claustrophobic atmosphere. We discuss the film's portrayal of urban anxiety and social tension during the 1960s, as well as its exploration of cowardice, courage, conformity, fear, and the uncomfortable question of how far people will go to protect themselves and others. We also take a close look at Martin Sheen's performance and the film's young antagonists, examining how their presence transforms the subway carriage into a pressure cooker. With its confined setting and escalating tension, The Incident creates suspense without relying on conventional action or elaborate set pieces, instead allowing the behaviour of its characters to drive the film. The episode also explores The Incident as an example of 1960s American cinema that was increasingly willing to tackle uncomfortable subjects and challenge audiences. Its gritty New York setting, raw performances, confrontational subject matter, and bleak atmosphere make it an intriguing example of the darker side of American cult cinema. As always on Reel Redux, we also play our regular movie games, debate the film, share our thoughts and recommendations, and explore other cult, crime, thriller, and exploitation movies that connect to the film we're discussing. If you're searching for a The Incident review, The Incident 1967 explained, The Incident movie analysis, The Incident 1967 movie, Martin Sheen movies, 1960s thrillers, psychological thrillers, New York crime movies, cult movies, forgotten 1960s films, or a cult cinema podcast, this episode delivers a detailed exploration of one of the decade's most unsettling and overlooked thrillers. Whether you're a fan of classic thrillers, 1960s American cinema, psychological movies, crime films, cult classics, Martin Sheen, or obscure and forgotten genre films, Reel Redux is your gateway to cult cinema — uncovering the movies that deserve to be rediscovered and giving you another reason to dig deeper into film history. What would you do if you were trapped on that train? The Incident is a film that puts its characters — and its audience — in an incredibly uncomfortable position.
