Few feelings create more anxiety than the sense of being trapped in a small space or unable to move or escape. Even if you're not a full-blown claustrophobe, almost everyone can relate to that inner panic that floods in when placed in such a situation. It is a testament to the power of cinema that certain movies can often make us feel this way, viscerally transporting us to a place, usually (but not always) physical, in which we can almost feel the walls closing in.
The movies below all expertly exude this discomfort. Many are horror films, many take place in just one location, but all show the talent of the writers and directors who have challenged themselves with such limiting settings. Note: I've excluded films that contain only one claustrophobia-inducing scene in favor of films that communicate a pervasive sense of claustrophobia from start to finish, ranked in order of confinement. Hold your breath and read on.
