The Hitcher — a horror thriller revolving round a murderous hitchhiker — wasn’t properly obtained when it got here out in 1986 however has discovered loads of followers since then (sufficient for a sequel and remake many years afterward). Roger Ebert was famously not one among them, calling it “diseased and corrupt” and that it suffered from a “deep illness on the screenplay stage.” Nevertheless, that deep illness is precisely why the movie guidelines, no less than practically 40 years later, and why The Hitcher 4K is price selecting up.
“On this 1986 cult basic, director Robert Harmon thrills the viewer with the story of younger Jim Halsey (C. Thomas Howell), who stops on the freeway to select up a hitchhiker, not realizing that by doing so, he opens the door to horrible evil. The mysterious hitcher, unforgettably portrayed by Rutger Hauer, is a relentless slaughterer, preying on those that invite him into their lives. Considerably dismissed on the time of its authentic launch, The Hitcher developed a rabid fan following within the ensuing years, now correctly acknowledged as some of the memorable and terrifying thrillers of the Eighties,” says the official description for The Hitcher 4K.
The premise for The Hitcher is a straightforward one and based mostly on a really plausible worry. What in the event you decide up a hitchhiker, however he’s truly a assassin? It’s a strong begin, however after the principle character kicks the hitchhiker out of his automotive after the primary 25 minutes of the film, it ought to be over, proper? By no means. As a substitute, The Hitcher offers its villain nearly supernatural skills to maintain popping again up as he toys with the principle character, inflicting mass quantities of havoc alongside the way in which. It’s over-the-top and ridiculous, however in a thrill-ride approach that makes it a complete pleasure to look at.
The Hitcher 4K seems a ton higher than how the film is presently streaming on Max (in poor high quality and a 4:3 perspective). The finer high quality actually helps you recognize the performances, as properly, which is the factor that makes the movie actually stand out from a variety of typical style fare. Whereas the good-looking and baby-faced C. Thomas Howell is the movie’s protagonist, who’s likable regardless of making 50 dumb choices that maintain the story going; it’s actually a showcase for Rutger Hauer. The Dutch actor is unbelievable because the serial killer villain and is straight away off-putting and unnerving as he makes any dialog tense. It’s a variety of small particulars within the efficiency, akin to refined gestures and actions, that actually make him a stellar horror villain that can make you second-guess any hitchhiker you see sooner or later.
There’s loads to unpack about The Hitcher, together with a ugly scene with Jennifer Jason Leigh, which is why I used to be glad to see The Hitcher 4K include a variety of significant particular options. Not solely is there a full commentary observe by director Robert Harmon and author Eric Pink, however there’s additionally a 41-minute video interview with Harmon as properly. It’s nice listening to tales from the manufacturing, and it offers you much more context as to why this movie has been capable of finding an viewers over time.
The Hitcher 4K Assessment: Closing Verdict
The Hitcher 4K is a good residence launch, one that’s leagues above the model of the movie that’s presently on streaming. With significant bonus options that give additional perception into how the movie was made, it’s a simple suggestion for horror followers.
Disclosure: ComingSoon obtained the product from the distributor for our The Hitcher 4K evaluate.
