The Hitcher

An above-average and stylish B-movie thriller with a demonic Rutger Hauer in the main role. Unlike the remake, this one has an atmosphere that is pleasantly chilling at times. The story is really unpredictable, which raises the question of whether that is due to the genius of the screenwriter or in spite of it. (18.01.2008)

The fact that Rutger Hauer is a demon has been known for ages. Yet the main strength of this film is surprisingly the script, which throws in one unexpected twist after another. The sometimes implausible and set-up plot twists only work to the benefit of the cause, which consists of building atmosphere and the viewer's uncertainty. And any person whose chin didn't fall at the scene with the unhooked tractor-trailer is not a good person in my book. 4 ½. Rounded up this time, although the girl's motivation still boggles my mind. (16.07.2008)

"Why didn't he kill us?" I’ll take you through the movie itself very quickly. An atmospheric, suspenseful and perfectly played game of cat and mouse in the middle of scorched wilderness. Jim’s feeling of despair enthralls. Almost like something from Hitch. And it’s spiced up with a pinch of pleasant eighties incorrectness. The downsides? In places screenwriter’s block solve some situations like Ryder’s deus ex machina entrance. Still, the first thing that will occur to you when you hear The Hitchhiker mentioned in conversation will be John Ryder, played by Rutger Hauer. He doesn’t say much. Nor does he have to. His actions speak loudly enough for him. Many consider the main minus to be the mysteriousness and lack of explanation of Ryder’s motives. But for me that it what makes this picture an exceptional work. Countless cranks and psychopaths appeared, appear and will continue to appear on the movie screen. But in the end not many of them are so disturbing as this mysterious hitchhiker. Why does he do it? What motivates him? What happened to him in the past? Why doesn’t he exist “on paper"? No answers. That just means that the details like the choice of stone that he gives Jim or the wedding ring, which could as easily be a movie goof as an intentional detail from the creators. The character provokes a quantity of questions. On the one hand, you want to know more, while on the other you know that if you got the answers it would lose all of its magic. That character just gets right under your skin... (22.01.2008)

Honestly, The Hitcher is as B-movie as they come. It doesn't bother with the psychology of the characters in the slightest. The logic of the actions of the individual characters is seriously flawed, and the timeline of events doesn't quite work either. This film is simply one of those that need to be taken as straightforward entertainment without much depth, without dwelling on it too much. However, it stands out from typical B-movie productions with its exceptional cast and outstanding performances, as Rutger Hauer feels right at home in these waters and truly knows what he's doing. Jennifer Jason Leigh is not just an ordinary ingénue but an excellent character actress, and it's easily noticeable on screen. And C. Thomas Howell delivers probably the best performance of his career, which had the potential to lead to greater success than eventually occurred. There is also the skillful direction that manages to surprise the audience despite some genre clichés. There is also some good atmosphere in several moments - the soaked Hauer getting into the car and the details of his face that immediately evoke emotions, or the view of a teddy bear followed by a grinning face - these are simply powerful movie moments that earn The Hitcher points. However, weaker moments follow, shooting down a helicopter with a pistol while driving fast can be overlooked with a smile, but the clichéd ending and the villain's disposal ultimately cost this film one star. Overall impression: 60%. (20.10.2008)

An above-average road thriller with a clever plot. Almost every scene of The Hitcher is steeped in darkness and despair. The main protagonist Jim Halsey is psychologically terrorized by an unforgettable Rutger Hauer in the role of John Ryder who is indisputably one of the greatest psychos to hit the silver screen. And I probably needn’t even mention the cult scene with the french fries. And Isham’s music completes the dreary atmosphere of the whole movie. And the final lesson: NEVER PICK UP HITCHHIKERS. (08.11.2006)

3 and ½, I think, but I’m rounding up because of Rutger Hauer. The atmosphere is great, the script is bursting with ideas and twists, and there's always something going on. Hauer may have a little less space at the expense of the frightened Howell, but even from that little he manages to make an incredibly strong impression on the viewer. Still, I can't get rid of the feeling that something wasn’t quite right and some of the twists were too exaggerated and unfinished. But maybe that's partly due to the fact that it took me by surprise and was filmed completely differently than I originally expected. (12.11.2011)

Time has taken its toll on this film. Scenes that may have worked in the mid-80s didn’t seem convincing now. Yet, the film has retained a certain charm, there was still suspense even after years, and I also enjoyed a great atmosphere. It is definitely above average. 3*+ (22.04.2020)

A wannabe action horror film with one significantly shot scene (the gas station explosion :)) that brings nothing new to the genre. However, Rutger Hauer as The Hitcher is perfectly nasty and yet very charismatic at the same time, so I see it at around 65-70% in the end. One of the things I still quite enjoyed was the volatility of the relationship between Jim and John. (19.04.2010)