The Hitcher (1986)

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 Harmon

Writer:

Eric Red

Stars:

Rutger Hauer, C. Thomas Howell, Jennifer Jason Leigh

3 wins.

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

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.

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Plot Keywords:

hitchhiker | sociopath | homosexual subtext | homoeroticism | murder | 

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Taglines:

The terror starts the moment he stops.

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Genres:

Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

21 February 1986 (USA)

Also Known As:

Liftaren

Filming Locations:

Roy's Motel and Cafe, Amboy, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$6,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,134,214, 23 February 1986, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$5,844,868

Company Credits

Production Co:

HBO Films,Silver Screen Partners

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo (4 channels)

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Rutger Hauer did a lot of the stunt driving throughout the movie which amazed the film crew and even the real stunt drivers.

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Goofs

When Jim enters the abandoned garage, birds fly in front of the camera for dramatic effect. Though the hole in the floor seems to be intentional, the person visible pushing the birds out from said hole was probably not.

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Quotes

Trooper Hancock: You spit on my wrist.
Jim Halsey: What?
Trooper Hancock: I said you spit on my wrist. Wipe it off.

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Connections

Referenced in The Hitchhiker (2007)

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Soundtracks

DON'T STOP LOVIN' ME
Performed by Mickey Jones
Published by Mickey Jones Music (ASCAP)

User Reviews

Gripping throughout, yet...

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.