The Hitcher (1986)

A young man who escapes the clutches of a murderous hitchhiker 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 | road movie | sociopath | torn in half | homosexual subtext | 

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Taglines:

He came from hell. Don't ask him where he wants to go.

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Genres:

Action | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

Screenwriter Eric Red said that this movie was inspired by The Doors song "Riders on the Storm".

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Goofs

Jim picks up a dead cop's empty revolver. When he learns to reload, they're no shells in the gun. The gun is a revolver, and does not eject it's shell casings when fired. Obviously John had emptied it and left if for Jim to find, as evidenced by the scene at Roy's cafe, where he asks Jim if he had checked the gun, then leaves him the ammo.

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Quotes

Jim Halsey: [trying to get policemen to help untie Nash from between two large trucks] Why don't you do something?... FUCKING DO SOMETHING!

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Connections

Referenced in Urban Legend (1998)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

"Do I look like a killer to you?"

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.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

21 February 1986 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Hitcher

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

Gross USA:

$5,844,868

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$5,844,868

Company Credits

Production Co:

HBO Pictures, Silver Screen Partners

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo (4 channels)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1