A young man who escapes the clutches of a murderous hitch-hiker is subsequently stalked by the hitcher and framed for his crimes.
Director:
Robert HarmonWriter:
Eric Red
From metacritic.com
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Title: The Hitcher (1986)
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We celebrate the life and legacy of Rutger Hauer, the award-winning actor best known for Blade Runner and The Hitcher.
3 wins.
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Edit
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 |
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Plot Synopsis
See All (117) »
Storyline
A young man transporting a car to another state is stalked along the road by a cunning and relentless serial killer who eventually frames the driver for a string of murders. Chased by police and shadowed by the killer, the driver's only help comes from a truck stop waitress. Written by Keith Loh <loh@sfu.ca>
Plot Keywords:
hitchhiker | sociopath | torn in half | homosexual subtext | homoeroticism |Taglines:
The terror starts when he stops! See more »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USARelease Date:
21 February 1986 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
The Hitcher See more »Edit
Box Office
Budget:
$6,000,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend USA:
$2,134,214, 23 February 1986Gross USA:
$5,844,868Cumulative Worldwide Gross:
$5,844,868Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Dolby Stereo (4 channels)Color:
Color (Metrocolor)Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1
Edit
Jim Halsey: What?
Trooper Hancock: I said you spit on my wrist. Wipe it off.
See more »
Performed by Mickey Jones
Published by Mickey Jones Music (ASCAP)
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
At one point, Eric Red wanted John Ryder to have an electronic voicebox. See more »Goofs
The guards in the prison transfer bus carry guns which they then lay aside so they can start playing with cards during the ride. Guards are forbidden to carry guns in a situation with the slightest possibility of prisoners grabbing the weapons, and no competent guard on such a dire job would dare to take his attention off prisoners to engage in frivolities such as card-playing on duty. See more »Quotes
Trooper Hancock: You spit on my wrist.Jim Halsey: What?
Trooper Hancock: I said you spit on my wrist. Wipe it off.
See more »
Soundtracks
DON'T STOP LOVIN' MEPerformed by Mickey Jones
Published by Mickey Jones Music (ASCAP)
See more »
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The Hitcher is a marvelous thriller and Rutger Hauer is truly scary as hell. He is undoubtedly one of the best villains in cinematic history. The game that Hauer and C. Thomas Howell play out makes for a great way to spend an hour and a half of your life. You can't help but feel sorry for Howell as he can never escape the madman. Hauer has zero motive and that makes him all the more evil. And how he always finds Howell is something that is unnerving and unexplainable. It's like their paths were meant to cross somewhere out in in the desert. Eric Red's script leaves nothing to be desired. The scene where Howell is eating french fries is one of the most unforgettable in horror history. And so is the event that leads to the capture of Hauer. The end is fantastic and it's something that you want to do through the entire movie. It will definitely make you think twice before picking up hitchhikers. If you enjoyed The Hitcher, Check out Hitch-Hike (with David Hess) and Duel.