Review of The Hitcher (1986) by Philip J — 26 Oct 2011

You are driving alone on a desolate stretch of highway. Hours of driving have made you feel exhausted, but an occasional vehicle passes by to keep you alert. Then suddenly, an enigmatic trench coat wearing figure is standing forlorn in the rain, holding his thumb up, and apparently signaling for help. What should you do? Stop to pick him up? Or keep driving?

For Jim Halsey (C. Thomas Howell), this decision could literally be the difference between life and death. But alas, he is too naive to realize the consequences of the wrong decision. So against his mother's admonition ("My mother told me never to do this."), Halsey decides to give the forlorn hitchhiker a lift. The hitchhiker introduces himself as John Ryder (Rutger Hauer). The two engage in a brief chat, exchanging a few words. Then, Ryder reveals that he has just cut off the legs, arms, and head of another unlucky motorist who previously picked him up. And Ryder threatens to do the same to Jim Halsey, immediately pulling out a knife to prove he is not joking. His true sinister colors revealed, Ryder asks a rather eerie question:

"Do you wanna know what happens to an eyeball when it gets punctured?".

What I truly enjoy about The Hitcher is its creepy yet realistic premise. It is a scenario grounded in reality. It can happen to anyone, including you. This film also exploits our tendencies to be a little too altruistic, especially towards those we do not know.

Now granted, John Ryder is not the most realistic character in horror cinema (somehow, he manages to follow Jim Halsey around everywhere, regardless of where he goes), but the fact is, people like him do exist. The deceivably friendly looking stranger you meet in the street or pick up as a hitchhiker could very well have a hidden side that that person wouldn't reveal to others...until it is too late. Also, people like Ryder--who take pleasure in the suffering of othersâ"are all too real. As inhuman as they may sound, they do exist...

Both C. Thomas Howell and Rutger Hauer deserve a ton of applause for their roles in this memorable road thriller. C. Thomas Howell was only 19 years old when he starred in The Hitcher, but he showed a lot of depth as an actor. Howell does a fine job playing a likable character who learns how to be resourceful in order to survive. It's a shame that C. Thomas Howell isn't a bigger star now...

The star of this movie is without a doubt, Rutger Hauer. He delivers a tour-de-force performance as a truly diabolical fiend. With his seemingly friendly facade, his twisted maniacal laugh, and heartless soul, Hauer is pretty much perfect as the menacing hitchhiker; a Boogeyman who enters your life, tortures and taunts you, and disappears just as quickly. A lot of viewers out there may be confounded by the fact that Ryder has no discernible motive for his actions. On the other hand, the ambiguity of John Ryder makes him all the more chilling. Hauer effectively portrays the villain you would love to spit on (and he, in return, will love to lick the saliva spit near his mouth). He delivers his performance both with bone-chilling subtlety and over-the-top method acting.

There are a couple other reasons why I regard The Hitcher to be one of the finest horror films ever made. Its dark humor works very well, especially in scenes involving the way Ryder "treats" Halsey (check out their "conversation" in the diner scene). I also liked the film's unpredictably; this movie can catch you off-guard so stay alert.

The only significant weakness this film has is its frequent absence of logic. While the premise is very plausible, the film itself requires a very strong suspension of disbelief at times. Like during a car chase, Ryder manages to improbably take down an entire helicopter using a pistol! Yet, this absence of logic could very well be an asset. It is akin to a living nightmare you are trying to wake yourself up from.

Ultimately, The Hitcher is possibly the best horror film I have seen to date starring a homicidal hitchhiker. This a well-made, surreal thriller that does not try to be too smart for its own good. Its main purpose is simply to scare the hell out of us. And it succeeds marvelously. This under-appreciated thriller is yet to be regarded as a legitimate horror classic.