The Hitcher — a horror thriller revolving round a murderous hitchhiker — wasn’t effectively 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 in every of them, calling it “diseased and corrupt” and that it suffered from a “deep illness on the screenplay stage.” Nonetheless, that deep illness is precisely why the film guidelines, a minimum of almost 40 years later, and why The Hitcher 4K is price choosing 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 choose 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 probably the most memorable and terrifying thrillers of the Nineteen 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 should you choose up a hitchhiker, however he’s truly a assassin? It’s a strong begin, however after the primary character kicks the hitchhiker out of his automotive after the primary 25 minutes of the film, it needs to be over, proper? By no means. As a substitute, The Hitcher offers its villain virtually supernatural skills to maintain popping again up as he toys with the primary character, inflicting mass quantities of havoc alongside the way in which. It’s over-the-top and ridiculous, however in a thrill-ride manner that makes it a complete pleasure to look at.
The Hitcher 4K appears to be like a ton higher than how the film is at present streaming on Max (in poor high quality and a 4:3 perspective). The finer high quality actually helps you admire the performances, as effectively, which is the component that makes the movie actually stand out from a whole lot 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 selections that hold the story going; it’s actually a showcase for Rutger Hauer. The Dutch actor is unbelievable because the serial killer villain and is instantly off-putting and unnerving as he makes any dialog tense. It’s a whole lot of small particulars within the efficiency, similar to refined gestures and actions, that actually make him a stellar horror villain that may make you second-guess any hitchhiker you see sooner or later.
There’s rather a lot 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 whole lot of significant particular options. Not solely is there a full commentary monitor by director Robert Harmon and author Eric Crimson, however there’s additionally a 41-minute video interview with Harmon as effectively. 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 through the years.
The Hitcher 4K Assessment: Ultimate Verdict
The Hitcher 4K is a superb dwelling launch, one that’s leagues above the model of the movie that’s at present on streaming. With significant bonus options that give additional perception into how the movie was made, it’s a simple advice for horror followers.
Disclosure: ComingSoon obtained the product from the distributor for our The Hitcher 4K overview.
