LogFAQs > #945986429

DAY 17.3: The Hitcher (1986)
On HBO Max

You know, I only ever saw the remake of this. I have to say that the original outshines the remake in most ways.

The Hitcher is about a boy who picks up a homicidal serial killer/hitchhiker who proceeds to torture him relentlessly in New Mexico.

Rutger Hauer does a masterful job as John Ryder, the serial killer. Like, he's incredible. Just a totally irredeemable son of a bitch who is egging on and torturing a young man. He does some excellent acting to convey an imposing psycho and it's extremely impressive how he can be such a chilling character while he's just a man.

Following the protagonist, we can understand and feel for him, because throughout the film he is just absolutely emotionally destroyed from everything he's gone through as the hitchhiker repeatedly puts him in worse and worse situations as the whole movie goes on, just wanting to turn this kid to be a murderer and kill him.

It's such an insane game of cat and mouse, and the ante gets upped through the entire movie until the climax, which seems to be only half-and-half agreed upon as the most memorable moment in the film.

It's a thrill ride that becomes chilling each and every time John Ryder is on the screen, and I loved watching every bit of this film. I recommend it.

Rating: 7.5/10

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