The Hitcher Films

The Hitcher (1986)

Ever wished you could undo an action you’ve made because the consequences of it were so severe? This is the kind of film that features a protagonist who most certainly wishes he had taken the advice of never picking up hitchhikers to heart. It’s a well shot, well written and a gripping film set on the road that’s received much deserved appreciation years after its initial release.

Jim Halsey (C. Thomas Howell) is a young man transporting a ride away car from Chicago to San Diego. While driving through the Texas desert, he spots a hitchhiker, John Ryder (Rutger Hauer) and decides to pick him up. Soon after, Halsey discovers Ryder’s true nature and escapes from his clutches only to be terrorized and framed for his crimes as the film progresses.

Thanks to a great script written by Eric Red, we’re given a perfect mix of action & horror with a level of ambiguity. Ryder’s origins are never revealed and we’re left to wonder who he is and why he’s doing what he’s doing. He could just be a psychopath who’s managed to erase any trace of his existence, or maybe he’s supernatural like some have theorized. What he represents is left up to the viewer to decide. Hauer is phenomenal in the role and plays it with the right mix of creepiness and morbid charm. The relationship between him and Halsey is strange and leaves a lot open to interpretation. Some have interpreted it as homosexual because of what’s implied, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Film is art, so interpretations will vary — and it’s good because it leads to great discussions. C. Thomas Howell is great as Halsey and is really living a nightmare. He’s genuinely terrified throughout and you can’t help but feel bad for him. The police is a force working against him too because they believe he’s committing all the killings since Ryder is framing him and always a few steps ahead. Nash (Jennifer Jason Leigh), a young waitress proves to be sympathetic towards him and his struggle and gets herself involved, resulting in grim consequences. Our expectations are subverted because we expect a romance or deeper connection to blossom between Nash and Halsey, but it doesn’t. Instead, she becomes just another tool Ryder uses to mess with Halsey. That scene with Nash tied between the two trucks, talk about a perfect example of why showing less is more effective in the context of film.

On top of the strong script and performances, the film also benefits from great direction by Robert Harmon and stellar cinematography. The police chase scene involving the helicopter in particular is a stand out. Overall, it’s a tense and gripping film that never lets up until Halsey decides to step up and face the horror that is John Ryder. It also has the perfect ambiguous ending that leaves you wondering what lies further down the road for Halsey.

The Hitcher II: I’ve Been Waiting (2003)

Talk about an unnecessary sequel. The Hitcher (1986) was amazing on its own and this doesn’t come anywhere near it in terms of quality. It was released direct to video and man, it really shows.

In the years following the events of the first film, Jim Halsey (C. Thomas Howell) has become a police officer. He remains traumatized by his experiences and after being discharged from the force when he kills a suspect on the job, Halsey and his girlfriend, Maggie (Kari Wuhrer) travel to Texas. Halsey has to experience the horror all over again when another hitchhiker/serial killer, Jack (Jake Busey) terrorizes them and frames them for his killings.

First of all, the film sucks even by direct to video standards. It’s horribly written, shot, edited and acted. The effects are also shoddy at best on top of that. What was so excellent about the first was its ambiguity. We were left to wonder for ourselves what would happen to Halsey after killing John Ryder. Then this sequel comes along and we learn that he’s traumatized, that’s all. That’s perfectly believable given what he’s been through and could’ve been further explored, but then the film quickly becomes a rehash of the first when they pick up Jack. What’s even more disappointing is that (spoiler alert!), Halsey is killed off halfway through. After that, it’s just Maggie who’s terrorized and stalked for the remainder of the film. Unlike with the original, it’s just not intriguing or thrilling. Jake Busey’s not terrible as the film’s antagonist, he gets points for creepiness, but he lacks the dark, subtle wit that Rutger Hauer had when he played Ryder. He’s just a full blown psycho, that’s it.

I can’t say I really recommend this sequel. If you’re a huge fan of the first, you’ll be disappointed. If you haven’t seen either film, just stick with the first because it’s vastly superior.

The Hitcher (2007)

Considering it’s the trend in Hollywood anymore, The Hitcher (1986) got a remake. Was it asking for one? If you’ve seen the original, you already know the answer to that question. Michael Bay’s production company, Platinum Dunes was behind it—and that’s usually a sign of doom.

This time, Jim Halsey (Zachary Knighton) and his girlfriend Grace Andrews (Sophia Bush) are driving through New Mexico on a road trip. They reluctantly pick up a hitchhiker, John Ryder (Sean Bean), who proceeds to terrorize and frame the couple for his crimes as the film progresses.

The main problem with this remake is that it doesn’t bring anything new to the table. It’s merely a pale imitation of the original, with a lot of the same scenes, the same lines of dialogue—it just feels lazy. Sean Bean’s a great actor, but he lacks intensity as John Ryder, which is a shame. Knighton and Bush make for a bland couple as well. Neal McDonough is the stand out as Esteridge, who was played by Jeffrey DeMunn in the original. His screen time is minimal and he goes out in quite the feeble, disappointing manner. The choice of music made it pretty obvious that this aiming for the teen demographic. It doesn’t fit the mood of the film at all. As cool as a song “Closer” by Nine Inch Nails is, using it during the car chase scene with the police helicopter was unnecessary and unfitting. The film’s director, Dave Meyers was primarily a music video director before this, so he was the best choice? Couldn’t they have chosen a director who had some previous experience directing horror?

I don’t recommend this; it’s one of the worst remakes helmed by Platinum Dunes. Everything that made the original an excellent horror film is missing, making it feel like a hollow rehash. Do yourself a favor, watch the original and steer clear of this remake.