The Hitcher (1986)
Genre: Thriller / Crime
Duration: 97 minuten
Country:
United States
Directed by: Robert Harmon
Stars: Rutger Hauer, C. Thomas Howell and Jennifer Jason Leigh
IMDb score:
7,2 (59.661)
Releasedate: 17 January 1986
This movie is not available on US streaming services.
The Hitcher plot
"Never pick-up a stranger."
Jim Halsey is on his way from Chicago to San Diego. Along the way, he takes a hitchhiker, who turns out to have murderous tendencies. Serial killer John Ryder leaves a trail of victims, for which Jim is blamed. The police don't believe Jim's story. The only help he gets is from a waitress.
Actors and actresses
John Ryder
Jim Halsey
Nash
Captain Esteridge
Trooper Donner
Sergeant Starr
Trooper Hancock
Trooper Hapscomb
Trooper Prestone
Interrogation Sergeant
Reviews & comments
Onderhond
-
- 87698 messages
- 13095 votes
Surprisingly good.
Catching up on some 80s horrors the last few weeks. Often movies that I know by name, but ultimately, for whatever reason, have never seen. The Hitcher is one of them, although the film leans closer to the thriller genre, with some action and mystery elements in it. A lot of quality has not yet come out, so my expectations were not too high. Unjustly as it turned out.
In any case, a film that focuses on suspense, while most 80s horror still bring more cheesy and children's fun. Rarely is there a really exciting film in between. Harmon takes a different approach, especially through Hauer's character. A complete enigma, someone who acts without a clear motive, turns up everywhere he is needed and ultimately gets no explanatory (dramatized) background.
Also very cool how he keeps pushing the naive boy, who plays the lead role, into the role of a criminal. At least, that's how he's seen by half the police force chasing him halfway through the movie. There are small twists that give the film a certain originality.
Apart from that, I often find the angry driver (here angry hitcher) niche to be something. Not that many movies are made in it, nor is it easy to keep the concept exciting for 90 minutes, but Harmon succeeds wonderfully and holds it right to the very end. Even Hauer did well as a bad guy.
Nice discovery. The 80s soundtrack and slightly too muddy look ensure that the film never came close to a really high score, but more than entertaining.
3.5*
Translated from Dutch · View original
Duke Nukem
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- 1837 messages
- 2023 votes
"My mother never told me to do this."
An exciting thriller with the Dutchman Rutger Hauer, who passed away this year, as serial killer John Ryder. C. Thomas Howell, as Jim Halsey the frightened young man who tries to escape Ryder, is also very good in his role. The film gets off to a good start when Jim drives down the roads somewhere in California in a storm, bored and almost dozing off. The opening scene with the close up when lighting his cigarette is shot very atmospheric. The ominous music in the background suggests the worst fate for Jim. Ryder is hitchhiking at the side of the road, there is a clap of thunder as Jim stops the car. The terrifying cat and mouse game can now begin.
For me, this is a real cult classic, a must-see movie.
"What do you want?"
"I want you to stop me."
Translated from Dutch · View original
Tonypulp
-
- 21231 messages
- 4608 votes
The wait for the Arrow treatment was also a bit too long for me. When I was across the border last week, I picked up the German edition anyway. After I saw quite a lot of positive stories (elsewhere) about this release. I agree with the DNR story, but it is wmb on the edge. In the end it is also a bit of a matter of taste, although some close-ups are very smooth and they lack the really fine details. Furthermore, absolutely beautifully polished and more than worth its price. Despite that I will undoubtedly exchange it for a nice limited set 
From the first ominous synthesizer strings it is hit. Exceptionally atmospheric opening. Rutger Hauer is brilliant in this blood-curdling death man ride, which has barely lost any of its power.
Translated from Dutch · View original
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