Review of The Hitcher (1986) by Marcus J — 10 Aug 2010
The Hitcher mixes Stephen Spielberg's Duel together with the exploitation and torture films of the late 70s and early 80s. Harmon's film wastes no time as C. Thomas Howell's character picks up Rutger Hauer's bizarre, creepy hitchhiker.
At first, The Hitcher unfolds like a piece of 70s grindhouse fare in a manner akin to Last House on the Left, Hitch Hike, etc. But it ups the ante by both creating a surreal, ambiguous sidestory in which Howell seems to equate himself with Hauer via dreamlike visions.
Plus, the film obviously has a larger budget than such 70s fare when you watch its spectacular crash scenes. The Hitcher stages the seemingly utopian and liberating space of the American highway as a claustrophobic nightmare, as a space from which one cannot escape.
Indeed, Harmon's film ultimately displays the manner in which the highway system does not represent liberation but merely acts as a system by which all our actions can be predicted. Brutal, creepy, and fun, The Hitcher should not be missed by fans of horror and exploitation films.
This review of The Hitcher (1986) was written by Marcus J on 10 Aug 2010.
The Hitcher has generally received positive reviews.
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