Review of The Hitcher (1986) by Danny R — 22 Jan 2012

A dark surreal odyssey into to terror and suspense with an absolutely magnificent and unforgettable performance by Rutger Hauer, as the mysterious title character, a unstoppable psychotic mass murderer who is stalking a young man who is the only person ever to escape his clutches.

C. Thomas Howell plays the young man in a superb and believable performance, who is driven to near madness by Hauer's diabolical predator. It all began when Howell driving a car cross-country from Chicago to San Diego for the company that he works for; one rainy night diving through the California desert , he is very tired and sleepy and almost collides with an oil truck, soon he notices a figure standing by the side of the road raising his thumb, he decides to pick him up for company to help himself stay awake.

"My mother told me never to do this" he says jokingly, but it soon becomes clear that the Hitcher is a little strange, he doesn't talk much and soon becomes violent and sadistic then threatens to kill him, Howell manages to push him out of the speeding car, he thinks to himself that the nightmare is over when in fact it has just begun! What ensues for the rest of the film is a deadly cat and mouse game where Hauer murders everyone that Howell comes in contact with and frames him with the crimes.

Excellent supporting performances by Jennifer Jason Leigh, Jeffery DeMunn and Joe Jackson, but it's Rutger Hauer's show all the way and he creates such an evil, ruthless and memorably despicable character that it one of the greatest villains in history of the modern cinema.

Brilliant directorial debut for Robert Harmon, rapturous cinematography by John Seal and a haunting score by Mark Isham. A riveting thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last frame.

Highly Recommended.