Activate your BLOCKBUSTER On Demand device

The Hitcher (1986)

The Hitcher (1986)
Member Rating:  
Pretty boy actor C. Thomas Howell stars in this dark, violent suspense film about the strange psychological bond between a traveling serial killer and one of his intended victims. Driving cross-country from Chicago to San Diego, Jim (Howell) narrowly avoids an accident when he falls asleep at the wheel. He picks up a hitchhiker to help stay awake, but within five minutes, the erratic John Ryder (Rutger Hauer) has threatened not only Jim's life, but also his manhood, brandishing a switchblade to the boy's crotch and ordering him to keep driving. Jim manages to escape, but soon Ryder begins a game of cat-and-mouse across the Texas highways, taunting the lad from the windows of passing cars, then leaving the corpses of his victims in their vehicles by the side of the road for Jim to discover. A sympathetic face arrives in the form of Nash (Jennifer Jason Leigh), the waitress at an otherwise deserted truck stop in this bleak, abandoned landscape, but the local police soon arrive, intent on hanging Jim out to dry for the string of grisly murders. The stakes continue to mount in Ryder's little game until Jim finds himself embroiled in a statewide manhunt with Nash at his side. Former cinematographer Robert Harmon made his directorial debut with this popular thriller; screenwriter Eric Red, also making his debut, would go on to write similarly brooding genre fare including Near Dark, Bad Moon, and Alien 3. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi

 Read More


Starring:
Rutger HauerC. Thomas Howell, (more)
Director(s):
Robert Harmon
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R
Format(s):
DVD
View All Versions to rent and buy
 
 
 
 

Synopsis of The Hitcher

Pretty boy actor C. Thomas Howell stars in this dark, violent suspense film about the strange psychological bond between a traveling serial killer and one of his intended victims. Driving cross-country from Chicago to San Diego, Jim (Howell) narrowly avoids an accident when he falls asleep at the wheel. He picks up a hitchhiker to help stay awake, but within five minutes, the erratic John Ryder (Rutger Hauer) has threatened not only Jim's life, but also his manhood, brandishing a switchblade to the boy's crotch and ordering him to keep driving. Jim manages to escape, but soon Ryder begins a game of cat-and-mouse across the Texas highways, taunting the lad from the windows of passing cars, then leaving the corpses of his victims in their vehicles by the side of the road for Jim to discover. A sympathetic face arrives in the form of Nash (Jennifer Jason Leigh), the waitress at an otherwise deserted truck stop in this bleak, abandoned landscape, but the local police soon arrive, intent on hanging Jim out to dry for the string of grisly murders. The stakes continue to mount in Ryder's little game until Jim finds himself embroiled in a statewide manhunt with Nash at his side. Former cinematographer Robert Harmon made his directorial debut with this popular thriller; screenwriter Eric Red, also making his debut, would go on to write similarly brooding genre fare including Near Dark, Bad Moon, and Alien 3. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
98 mins

Complete Cast of The Hitcher


Director(s):
Robert Harmon
Writer(s):
Eric Red
Producer(s):
Charles R. MeekerKip OhmanDavid Bombyk
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R(Adult Language, Not For Children, Profanity, Adult Situations, Graphic Violence, Violence)
Categories:
Mystery & Suspense
Warning:  This product is intended for mature audiences only. It may contain violence, sexual content, drug abuse and/or strong language. You must be 17 or older to purchase it. By ordering this item you are certifying that you are at least 17 years of age.

Looking for special editions of The Hitcher?
See All Versions
Subtitles:
Check All Versions
Closed Captioning:
Check All Versions
 
 
 
 

BY MAIL

Monthly Subscription 
NEW! 7 - Day Rental
No subscription required. Usually ships in 24 hours.
 
BuyPreviously Viewed   $4.79
(disc only)  
Previously Viewed   $5.99
(disc, case & artwork)

New  $4.99
 

IN-STORE

 

What's Your Take?

Add to FavoritesIn Favorites  |  Share:     Email to a friendShare on FacebookShare on Twitter
YOUR REVIEW
WRITE A REVIEW
 
1000 
 
Member Reviews
 
Michael G.

The Hitcher is a classic. Great suspenseful atmosphere. Rutger Hauer is great in this movie. I read that Hauer was coached on how to play the Hitcher by the late Robert Reed. Hauer and Reed met while working on the little known movie called "Monster Rain"

Yes   |   No

 
Bianca B.

Rutger Hauer gives one of the best movie psycho performances ever in this classic 80's thriller which also features C. Thomas Howell (in his teen idol prime) as the unlucky motorist who can't seem to shake the hitchhiker from hell. Jennifer Jason Leigh gives a great supporting turn as a waitress drawn into Rutger and C. Thomas' deadly cat-and-mouse game. If you can suspend your disbelief at some of the more preposterous elements of the plot and go along for the ride, you will enjoy this flick!

Yes   |   No

 
Jamie W.

Really Good!Loved it when I was a pup, and even still great now!

Yes   |   No

 
Read All 17 Reviews