IMDb > The Hitcher (1986)
The Hitcher
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

The Hitcher (1986) More at IMDbPro »

Videos
The Hitcher (1986) -- CineMagia.ro - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.2/10   14,197 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 15% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Robert Harmon
Writer:
Eric Red (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Hitcher on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
21 February 1986 (USA) more
Tagline:
The terror starts the moment he stops. more
Plot:
A young man who escaped the clutches of a murderous hitch-hiker is subsequently stalked, framed for the hitcher's crimes, and has his life made into hell by the same man he escaped. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
3 wins more
NewsDesk:
(24 articles)
50 Influential Scream Queens: Part 1
 (From Fangoria. 27 October 2009, 5:54 AM, PDT)

This Week In DVD: October 20th
 (From FilmSchoolRejects. 20 October 2009, 9:01 AM, PDT)

User Comments:
Gripping throughout, yet... more (199 total)

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)

Rutger Hauer ... John Ryder

C. Thomas Howell ... Jim Halsey

Jennifer Jason Leigh ... Nash
Jeffrey DeMunn ... Captain Esteridge

John M. Jackson ... Sergeant Starr (as John Jackson)
Billy Green Bush ... Trooper Donner (as Billy Greenbush)
Jack Thibeau ... Trooper Prestone

Armin Shimerman ... Interrogation Sergeant
Gene Davis ... Trooper Dodge (as Eugene Davis)

Jon Van Ness ... Trooper Hapscomb
Henry Darrow ... Trooper Hancock
Tony Epper ... Trooper Conners
Tom Spratley ... Proprietor

Colin Campbell ... Construction Man
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
97 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Colour:
Colour (Metrocolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby
Filming Locations:
Amboy, California, USA more
Company:
HBO Pictures more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
While performing the last bit of the windshield stunt Rutger Hauer hit out one of his teeth with the shotgun he held in his hands. more
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: During the final scene when Rutger Hauer jumps out of the back of the bus and flies through the windshield of the Dodge Ramcharger, the windshield shatters like regular glass, not safety glass. more
Quotes:
Sergeant Starr: [to Donner] That kid ain't a killer. Any fool can see that. more
Movie Connections:
Spoofed in Stan Helsing (2009) more
Soundtrack:
DON'T STOP LOVIN' ME more

FAQ

The Gal that Jim Halsey met on the bus, why did she help him?
Who is John Ryder?
Why does Ryder place the coins on Halsey's eyes and under his tongue in the diner?
more
30 out of 40 people found the following comment useful.
Gripping throughout, yet..., 4 August 2005
7/10
Author: Mike Conrad (ConradDC) from Washington, D.C.

Murder Spree Road Flick. Contains many fairly stupid moments ("plot holes") and yet remains gripping throughout its length. Graphic, stunning violence; be warned.

Howell is slightly vapid yet pretty and his relations with Rutger Hauer verge on the homo-erotic. Hauer is a near-perfect villain, demonstrating the steely resolve and psychological impenetrability that have made him a favorite "bad guy" in other films.

A great movie for the paranoid who wish to feed their fantasies. Owes something to Spielberg's "Duel" but remains its own film. Relatively spare visual style well-suited to the theme. Recommended, but not for the faint of heart.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (199 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Hitcher (1986)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Siskel and Ebert Review dreadcaptainlemming
Gay ? ntini77
Similarities with this and No Country For Old Men NoForestBlood
question? Horror_Fanatic23
DESERVES A BETTER DVD RELEASE!!!!!!!!! arrowdawg360
Spoilers cut the ropes smuphy2008
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
The Fugitive The Hitcher Sae-yi yaeseu Tenebre Split Second
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Action section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.