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The Hidden

  • 1987
  • R
  • 1h 37m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
24K
YOUR RATING
Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Nouri, and Ed O'Ross in The Hidden (1987)
Home Video Trailer from New Line Home Entertainment
Play trailer2:14
1 Video
95 Photos
Dark ComedyMonster HorrorHorrorSci-FiThriller

A cop and an FBI agent race for answers after law abiding people suddenly become violent criminals.A cop and an FBI agent race for answers after law abiding people suddenly become violent criminals.A cop and an FBI agent race for answers after law abiding people suddenly become violent criminals.

  • Director
    • Jack Sholder
  • Writer
    • Jim Kouf
  • Stars
    • Kyle MacLachlan
    • Michael Nouri
    • Claudia Christian
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.0/10
    24K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Jack Sholder
    • Writer
      • Jim Kouf
    • Stars
      • Kyle MacLachlan
      • Michael Nouri
      • Claudia Christian
    • 170User reviews
    • 111Critic reviews
    • 69Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 4 wins & 6 nominations total

    Videos1

    The Hidden
    Trailer 2:14
    The Hidden

    Photos95

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    + 89
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    Top cast65

    Edit
    Kyle MacLachlan
    Kyle MacLachlan
    • Lloyd Gallagher
    Michael Nouri
    Michael Nouri
    • Tom Beck
    Claudia Christian
    Claudia Christian
    • Brenda Lee Van Buren
    Clarence Felder
    Clarence Felder
    • Lt. John Masterson
    Clu Gulager
    Clu Gulager
    • Lt. Ed Flynn
    Ed O'Ross
    Ed O'Ross
    • Cliff Willis
    William Boyett
    William Boyett
    • Jonathan Miller
    Richard Brooks
    Richard Brooks
    • Sanchez
    Larry Cedar
    Larry Cedar
    • Brem
    Katherine Cannon
    Katherine Cannon
    • Barbara Beck
    John McCann
    John McCann
    • Sen. Holt
    Chris Mulkey
    Chris Mulkey
    • Jack DeVries
    Lin Shaye
    Lin Shaye
    • Carol Miller
    James Luisi
    James Luisi
    • Ferrari Salesman
    Frank Renzulli
    Frank Renzulli
    • Michael Buckley
    Duane Davis
    Duane Davis
    • Eddie
    Kristen Clayton
    Kristen Clayton
    • Juliet Beck
    • (as Kristin Clayton)
    Whitney Reis
    • Liz
    • Director
      • Jack Sholder
    • Writer
      • Jim Kouf
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews170

    7.024.3K
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    Featured reviews

    8mytragicflaw

    Diamond in the Rough

    What is "the Hidden"? Exactly what the name implies. It's like searching for a diamond in a pile of coal. There are a lot of stupid, inane sci-fi action pics out there with some boring spin on the alien possession story, but this movie has something that those lack. Compelling characters. What, you say? A character study in sci-fi? Well, yes and no. It is as far away from a after-school TV drama, but the characters do have depth and they aren't cookie board cut-outs. Kyle MacLachlan, before his dark days of "showgirls", and Michael Nouri(Flashdance) star in this buddy-cop film, on the track of a killing-spree that seems to change with different humans. This film is a taught, well acted story. Sometimes creepy, sometimes genuinely funny. The score, although definitively 80s, complements the film with subtle overtones that enhance the viewing experience. A very good film that has a fair amount of blood and gore, but does not revolve around those genre staples. Overall, it's a safe bet for a good time. Watch it with someone you love.
    8planktonrules

    Despite a bazillion explosions and bullets, quite good.

    I am NOT a major fan of action films, so the fact that I liked "The Hidden" is unusual. The movie is jam-packed full of explosions, gun fire, deaths and mayhem. But it also works as an inventive sci-fi movie...one that pretty much went under the radar back in 1987 when it debuted.

    The film has an incredibly simple plot...when the film begins, a maniac is running amok in LA...killing and stealing as if there's no tomorrow. Soon, however, you realize this killer is NOT a typical killer...he's practically indestructible. And, when he's about to die, a disgusting alien pops out of his mouth and inhabits the next person...and begins the murder spree all over again!! However, an oddball who claims to be an FBI agent (Kyle McLaughlen) arrives to assist the lead detective on the case (Michael Nouri) and they are the Earth's best bet to stop this menace.

    Despite relying heavily on action and wholesale slaughter, the film is intelligently written and original. It's also an interesting time capsule of the late 1980s...in all its awfulness and excess. Well worth your time.
    8sancholuis

    A really underrated sci fi gem.

    This movie is very underrated, and it´s great movie filled with a really great story, full of over the top special effects, over the top action, pursuits, glorious sountrack, what more can you want ?

    It has it all, one of the best movies of the 80´s.
    7ragingbull_2005

    Supremely entertaining

    Law abiding persons start commiting heinous crimes. Two cops are on the case, trying to solve the mystery.

    The Hidden is one of the lesser known sci-fi films from the 80s that has gained cult following over the last 30 years and the reason is quite apparent. It is violent, thrilling and quite fun.

    Recommended.
    10SquirePM

    On my all-time top 50 list

    The Hidden is an unknown gem of a movie. That it's sci-fi probably kept its popularity down, but it's one of the best sci-fi films ever.

    Michael Nouri proves once again that he deserves every leading man role he gets, and the ever quirky Kyle MacLachlan is at the top of his weird form.

    Highly recommended for an evening of unexpected fun.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Claudia Christian (Brenda the stripper) likes to tell two stories about her experience in this film. First is the design of her wardrobe: the producers found her breasts visually inadequate, and so designed her costumes to emphasize her buttocks instead. Second is her eye injury: the material exploding from a prop gun scratched her cornea painfully. Because of this, whenever she had to fire a prop gun on Babylon 5 (1993) she would instinctively turn her face away when pulling the trigger, even though this was unnecessary because the Babylon 5 prop guns did not really fire, as all visual effects were to be added in later.
    • Goofs
      Masterson's M72 LAW rocket would not have exploded so soon after leaving the launch tube. By design, the LAW rocket must travel 10 meters before arming itself. If it strikes a target closer than 10 meters, it will not detonate.
    • Quotes

      Tom Beck: You know what bothers me about these two guys DeVries and Miller?

      Lloyd Gallagher: Neither has a criminal record. They both lead normal lives until a few days ago, and now they're killing people.

      Tom Beck: Do you read minds or was that just a shot in the dark?

      Lloyd Gallagher: No, I read minds.

      Tom Beck: Oh yeah? What was I just thinking?

      Lloyd Gallagher: That I'm full of shit.

      Tom Beck: Impressive.

      Lloyd Gallagher: Not really. Quite simple to read.

    • Connections
      Edited into The Hidden II (1993)
    • Soundtracks
      Hidden
      Performed by The Truth

      Written by Mark Tanner, Jeff Klevan and The Truth

      Published by New Line Music / Almo Music

      Produced by Roy Thomas Baker

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    FAQ22

    • How long is The Hidden?Powered by Alexa
    • If the creature can take everything he wants-cars, food, gadgets, weapons-why does he want money? There are no scenes of him paying for anything.
    • Wht does the ending mean?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 30, 1987 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Amenaza oculta
    • Filming locations
      • Park Plaza Hotel - 607 S. Park View Street, Los Angeles, California, USA(Location)
    • Production companies
      • New Line Cinema
      • Heron Communications
      • Mega Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $5,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $9,747,988
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $2,492,618
      • Nov 1, 1987
    • Gross worldwide
      • $9,748,233
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 37 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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    Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Nouri, and Ed O'Ross in The Hidden (1987)
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