The Hitcher (1986)

Solid enough suspense-thriller with great action and menacing performance from Rutger Hauer, a few moments in the story felt a bit clunky, mainly how Jennifer Jason Leigh's character gets involved, which I will say the 2007 remake at least improved upon. Just a highly entertaining flick. 3.5/5

Thrilling desert road flick ruined by an implausible villain

This is an action-packed thriller with the milieu of the remote Southwest à la Eastwood’s “The Gauntlet” mixed with psychological horror, even slasher. So, it’s reminiscent in ways of “Duel,” “The Getaway” and "Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry," but the enigmatic antagonist’s twistedness and powers add a goofy slasher vibe.

The writer defended this on the grounds of making John Ryder (Rutger Hauer) a "mythical character,” arguing that he intended the movie to be an allegory about the protagonist's journey and the transmission of "strength" in a twisted way, not a realistic story that required a conventional explanation.

I don’t need an explanation of the killer or his motives, but even an allegorical story requires the viewer to buy what’s going on to suspend disbelief. For instance, in “Jeepers Creepers” the creature is an ancient demonic entity. Yet John Ryder here isn’t a supernatural being in light of the climax. So, how was he able to fly through windshields and fall off moving vehicles at high speeds no worse for wear? You just roll your eyes and say, “Yeah, right.” As bad as this is, there are other absurdities.

Better films of this ilk include “Kalifornia” and “Breakdown.”

C. Thomas Howell returned for a sequel in 2003, which I’ve never seen. There’s also a remake released in 2007 with Sean Bean in the title role wherein the storyline has more depth, and you feel connected to the lead characters. Best of all, Bean is more believable, not to mention the inclusion of Sophia Bush augmenting Jennifer Jason Leigh’s role is a plus.

It runs 1h 37m and was shot in early 1985 in the Mojave Desert 3-4 hours’ drive northeast of Los Angeles (Victorville, Barstow, Amboy, Calico Dry Lake Bed and so on).

GRADE: C-