The Hidden (1987)
Genre: Scifi / Horror
Duration: 96 minuten
Country:
United States
Directed by: Jack Sholder
Stars: Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Nouri and Claudia Christian
IMDb score:
7,0 (25.770)
Releasedate: 30 October 1987
The Hidden plot
"It's only human on the outside..."
An FBI agent and an LA cop investigate a runaway alien on the streets of Los Angeles. They try to track him down as the alien itself takes possession of the bodies of innocent people and transforms them into bloodthirsty killers.
Actors and actresses
Lloyd Gallagher
Tom Beck
Brenda Lee Van Buren
Lt. John Masterson
Lt. Ed Flynn
Cliff Willis
Jonathan Miller
Sanchez
Brem
Barbara Beck
Reviews & comments
mrklm
-
- 12286 messages
- 10419 votes
A series of bizarre crimes baffle the police. However, Detective Tom Beck [Michael Nouri] gets unexpected help from Lloyd Gallagher [Kyle MacLachlan], a quirky FBI agent who clearly knows more about the killer. Beck and Gallagher team up to apprehend the elusive criminal. A smooth SF action thriller with excellent special effects benefits from a sharp script and the excellent interplay of the worldly Nouri and the eccentric MacLachlan. An original, very entertaining and exciting thriller.
Translated from Dutch · View original
Point of View
-
- 160 messages
- 888 votes
Wonderful 80s schlock that turns out surprisingly well. The opening immediately sets the tone: a crazy brave man robs a bank, only to make the city unsafe in a Ferrari. Eventually a rain of police bullets kills the man (and unfortunately the Ferrari too). Not long after, similar incidents occur in which law-abiding citizens derail and fiercely confront the police. Detective Tom Beck (Michael Nouri) is joined by mysterious agent Lloyd Gallagher (Kyle MacLachlan), who seems to know more about what's going on here.
Saw this movie on video as a 17 year old kid and loved it right away. Everything that's great about 80's movies is there: lots of kinetic action (the shootings and explosions aren't over the top; especially note the scene with Claudia Christian!), good music, lots of screaming colors (the scene in the record store! ) and an at times hilarious plot that is nevertheless worked out solid enough to provide tension.
These kinds of films have unfortunately become a rarity these days. Not so surprising, because
The Hidden is pre-eminently an exponent of the past 80s. Those who like a good SF thriller with horror elements will not be bored with this film. For others (including yours truly) it's wonderfully unpretentious, pulpy youth sentiment.
And I already mentioned the scene in the record store; pay particular attention to the posters to spot what was hot in the American alternative music scene in the 80s. As entertaining as Ferris Bueller's bedroom! 
Translated from Dutch · View original
Collins
-
- 7477 messages
- 4449 votes
With The Hidden, director Jack Sholder delivers a film that knows how to entertain with its simple storyline. The film is a combination of action, horror and science fiction. The first hour consists almost exclusively of two servants of the law hunting an alien. A yacht that is characterized by a fast pace and lots of action.
The special effects convince. The action with a number of car chases is excitingly staged. There is also a nice dry humorous undertone that initially arises thanks to the undisguised rude behavior of the alien. The mix of action and humor is good. The humor is an element that makes the film a bit creamy and it never gets the better of you. The film dates from the 80s and that is clearly visible in the fashion image. Sometimes that is also funny, but that is of course unintentional.
The humorous undertones that the film catches on is also recognizable in Kyle MacLachlan's acting. He portrays a curious character who never assimilates well with his environment. He plays an FBI agent who is reserved, acts awkward in company, walks around stiff and has absolutely no flair. He makes up for this with a large dose of purposefulness, which is difficult to place at first. The overall picture has a comic effect. His opponent Michael Nouri is his opposite. A tough, seasoned cop who doesn't mince words. The dynamics are fun.
The Hidden is an action film based on science fiction and tells its story without major detours. No profundity but just a well-functioning whole in which you should not analyze the content too critically, but take it with a large grain of salt. I did that. Nice movie.
Translated from Dutch · View originalPre- and sequels
The Hidden II
1994
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