The Hitcher backdrop
The Hitcher poster

THE HITCHER

1986 • US HMDB
January 17, 1986

On a stormy night, young Jim, who transports a luxury car from Chicago to California to deliver it to its owner, feeling tired and sleepy, picks up a mysterious hitchhiker, who has appeared out of nowhere, thinking that a good conversation will help him not to fall asleep. He will have enough time to deeply regret such an unmeditated decision.

Directors

Robert Harmon Robert Harmon

Cast

Rutger Hauer as John Ryder

Rutger Hauer

John Ryder

 C. Thomas Howell as Jim Halsey

C. Thomas Howell

Jim Halsey

 Jennifer Jason Leigh as Nash

Jennifer Jason Leigh

Nash

 Jeffrey DeMunn as Captain Esteridge

Jeffrey DeMunn

Captain Esteridge

 Billy Green Bush as Trooper Donner

Billy Green Bush

Trooper Donner

 John M. Jackson as Sergeant Starr

John M. Jackson

Sergeant Starr

 Henry Darrow as Trooper Hancock

Henry Darrow

Trooper Hancock

 Jon Van Ness as Trooper Hapscomb

Jon Van Ness

Trooper Hapscomb

 Jack Thibeau as Trooper Prestone

Jack Thibeau

Trooper Prestone

 Armin Shimerman as Interrogation Sergeant

Armin Shimerman

Interrogation Sergeant

 Gene Davis as Trooper Dodge

Gene Davis

Trooper Dodge

 Tony Epper as Trooper Conners

Tony Epper

Trooper Conners

 Tom Spratley as Proprietor

Tom Spratley

Proprietor

Colin Campbell

Construction Man
Horror Azione Thriller
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Crew
Production: David Bombyk (Producer) — Kip Ohman (Producer) — Edward S. Feldman (Executive Producer) — Charles R. Meeker (Executive Producer)
Screenplay: Eric Red (Writer)
Music: Mark Isham (Original Music Composer)
Cinematography: John Seale (Director of Photography)

REVIEWS (1)

Marco Castellini •
A young man picks up a hitchhiker at night. The man, John Ryder, is actually a madman who kills anyone he meets on his way. For the boy, a nightmare begins: at first he thinks he has managed to shake off the killer, but it is not so, the madman does not give him any respite, follows him and kills everyone he tries to contact. Even the police cannot help him, blaming him instead for the murders committed by the madman. In the end, however, the young man will manage to get rid of Ryder forever. An original plot and a gripping pace are the merits (not small) of this horror-thriller. Of course, some flaws are not lacking: almost total absence of “strong” scenes and a script with some holes (how does the killer madman always manage to appear at the right moment and eliminate, alone and armed with a knife, three police officers armed to the teeth?). However, a good film, starring the admirable Rutger Hauer (in the role of the mad hitchhiker).
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COMMUNITY REVIEWS (2)

JPV852

JPV852

7 /10

Solid enough suspense-thriller with great action and menacing performance from Rutger Hauer, a few moments in the story felt a bit clunky, mainly how Jennifer Jason Leigh's character gets involved, which I will say the 2007 remake at least improved upon. Just a highly entertaining flick. 3.5/5

Wuchak

Wuchak

4 /10

Thrilling desert road flick ruined by an implausible villain

This is an action-packed thriller with the milieu of the remote Southwest à la Eastwood’s “The Gauntlet” mixed with psychological horror, even slasher. So, it’s reminiscent in ways of “Duel,” “The Getaway” and "Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry," but the enigmatic antagonist’s twistedness and powers add a goofy slasher vibe.

The writer defended this on the grounds of making John Ryder (Rutger Hauer) a "mythical character,” arguing that he intended the movie to be an allegory about the protagonist's journey and the transmission of "strength" in a twisted way, not a realistic story that required a conventional explanation.

I don’t need an explanation of the killer or his motives, but even an allegorical story requires the viewer to buy what’s going on to suspend disbelief. For instance, in “Jeepers Creepers” the creature is an ancient demonic entity. Yet John Ryder here isn’t a supernatural being in light of the climax. So, how was he able to fly through windshields and fall off moving vehicles at high speeds no worse for wear? You just roll your eyes and say, “Yeah, right.” As bad as this is, there are other absurdities.

Better films of this ilk include “Kalifornia” and “Breakdown.”

C. Thomas Howell returned for a sequel in 2003, which I’ve never seen. There’s also a remake released in 2007 with Sean Bean in the title role wherein the storyline has more depth, and you feel connected to the lead characters. Best of all, Bean is more believable, not to mention the inclusion of Sophia Bush augmenting Jennifer Jason Leigh’s role is a plus.

It runs 1h 37m and was shot in early 1985 in the Mojave Desert 3-4 hours’ drive northeast of Los Angeles (Victorville, Barstow, Amboy, Calico Dry Lake Bed and so on).

GRADE: C-

Reviews provided by TMDB