It's a highly competent sick-fright version of the evergreen chase formula.
The Hitcher (1985)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:30
Fresh:19
Rotten:11
Average Rating:5.8/10
Runtime: 1 hr 38 mins
Genre: Horror/Suspense
Synopsis: When a young man, driving to California by himself, naively picks up a hitchhiker, he gets more than he bargained for: the hitcher is a serial killer who mercilessly slashes anyone he meets,... When a young man, driving to California by himself, naively picks up a hitchhiker, he gets more than he bargained for: the hitcher is a serial killer who mercilessly slashes anyone he meets, ranging from truckstop waitresses to happy families in station wagons. Because of a lucky fluke, the driver manages to escape the charismatic murderer. Enraged that one of his intended victims has gone free, the hitcher cleverly frames the young man for the killings. Now the driver realizes he is the only one who can stop the hitchhiker -- and his freedom depends on his success. [More]
Starring: Rutger Hauer, C. Thomas Howell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Jeffrey DeMunn
Starring: Rutger Hauer, C. Thomas Howell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Jeffrey DeMunn
Director: Robert Harmon
Director: Robert Harmon
Reviews for The Hitcher
Feature debuts don't come much better than director Robert Harmon and screenwriter Eric Red's sleek, dream-like thriller about a naïve college boy who crosses paths with devil in the flesh after taking a wrong turn on some lost highway.
A highly unimaginative slasher that keeps the tension going with a massacre about every 15 minutes.
Without the original film's subtext of male bonding gone awry, nothing here has a shred of psychological resonance.
A partir de um conceito simples, o diretor cria tensão e transforma seu vilão (muito bem vivido por Hauer) em uma figura quase alegórica.
Rutger Hauer is so menacing as the title fiend that you'll never pick up a hitchhiker. An absolutely relentless horror-thriller.
Hauer's lunatic performance is the only thing that keeps The Hitcher from completely running off the road.
Mr. Hauer, who has reportedly vowed not to play any more villains or crackpots, is probably making the right decision, if this is any measure of the sort of role that comes his way.
It's like a sadistic version of Duel, instead of a semi you get Hauer in all his creepy manic splendor.
Latest News for The Hitcher
November 24, 2006:
Trailer Bulletin: "The Hitcher"
Complain all you want (and I've been doing it a lot), but early next year there WILL be a remake of "The Hitcher." And now there's a trailer to prove it. More...
October 06, 2006:
Like Horror Remakes? Get Ready for a Bunch More.
Professional remake house Platinum Dunes and Universal's genre arm (Rogue Pictures) have signed a deal -- and the result will be (at least) four more horror remakes. On deck are... More...
June 01, 2006:
Sean Bean to Become the New "Hitcher"
At first I was mostly skeptical regarding this remake of "The Hitcher" that's being set up at Michael Bay's Platinum Dunes outfit. But after reading a few interviews... More...
May 26, 2006:
New Horror Stories for Your "Amusement"
"Amusement," a new project from Jake Wade Wall, writer of the "When a Stranger Calls" remake, will soon be setting up at New Line. It seems to be a horror... More...
More DVDs
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 44% 44% | Night at the Museum: B… |
| 32% 32% | Terminator Salvation |
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
| 95% 95% | Star Trek |
| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 83% 83% | Harry Potter and the H… |
| 67% 67% | Public Enemies |
| 75% 75% | Julie & Julia |
| 95% 95% | The Cove |
| 85% 85% | World's Greatest Dad |
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Sponsored Links
Around The Network
- The Hitcher at Rotten Tomatoes
- The Hitcher at IGN
Fresh Links
Featured

Subscribe to RT's YouTube channel and don't miss a second of our cracking video content.

Follow Rotten Tomatoes and join us as we tweet about the week's releases.



Top Critic

