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The Hitcher
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The Hitcher (1986)

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User Rating: 7.2/10 (11,442 votes)
Photos (see all 21 | slideshow)

Overview

Director:
Robert Harmon
Writer:
Eric Red (written by)
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
Awards:
3 wins more
User Comments:
Tense and interesting thriller that deserves its cult status more

Cast

 (Complete credited cast)

C. Thomas Howell ... Jim Halsey

Rutger Hauer ... John Ryder

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
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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
MOVIEmeter: ?
V 7% since last week why?
Company:
HBO Pictures more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Eric Red, (writer), said that the film was inspired by the Doors song, "Riders on the Storm". more
Goofs:
In the scene with the two police cars try to shoot out tires, not only can you see the ram holes in the bottom of the cars, just after that you can see a car battery and large air-tank fly out of a trunk. The air-tank is the power for the ram that flips the car. And that cars battery should have been in the front, not the trunk. more
Quotes:
[Donner photographs Jim Halsey]
Trooper Donner: Well, these are real good. Your mama's gonna like those.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Far Out Man (1990) 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
1 out of 1 people found the following comment useful:-
Tense and interesting thriller that deserves its cult status, 2 September 2007
7/10
Author: TimothyFarrell from Worcester, MA

"The Hitcher" is one of those films that initially flopped during its original theatrical release, but gained a small cult following thanks to both video and subsequent late night television screenings. It certainly deserves the status, because while its not flawless, its an unique spin on the already done hitchhiking serial killer theme (Ida Lupino did the basic concept thirty years prior with "The Hitch-Hiker"). What makes it work so well ultimately is the degree of existential malaise and near supernatural occurrences. Some may complain about how implausible and increasingly far fetched the title villain's actions are, but I feel they completely work in favor of the film. It adds a dreamlike atmosphere that was completely missing from most of the 80s weak horror output. The ambiguous ending is also very interesting and open to debate.

The film is pretty well made for the most part. The direction by Robert Harmon (who did nothing worthwhile outside of this, making him a cinematic one hit wonder) keeps everything moving at a quick and tense pace. This is really as much an action film as it is a horror thriller. The acting is rather hit and miss. C. Thomas Howell is, unsurprisingly, pretty lousy but he somewhat improves (or maybe just becomes more bearable) as the film continues. Jennifer Jason Leigh doesn't really have much to do with her part, but makes what she can of it. However, as the hitcher himself, Rutger Hauer is terrifying, one of the most relentless and cold villains in all of cinema. Hes always watchable despite the crap hes often stuck in, and this is one of his finest roles. "The Hitcher" is a film that ultimately works despite the occasional odds against it. (7/10)

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Message Boards

Discuss this title with other users on IMDb message board for The Hitcher (1986)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
How does Halsey know the hitcher's name? jefblake
This movie is my all time favourite and I just watched the remake... DirtyVinylpusher
Original Cut fear_and_loathinginla
is there????? goinbigb
which is better? xxRiverxx
Nash is his daughter. (Far-fetched) myriade
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