[9]

In this vastly underrated thriller, a teenager (C. Thomas Howell) picks up a hitchhiker (Rutger Hauer) in the middle of a rainy night and barely escapes to tell the tale. Unfortunately, that first night’s narrow escape from the psychotic killer is only the beginning. Hauer’s character relentlessly pursues Howell through the barren, almost surreal landscape of Texas highways, framing him for murder and forcing him to bare witness to his unrelenting string of carnage. Even when Howell gets the help of police, he still isn’t safe — Hauer reappears like a demon out of a fever dream to unleash shock and horror, again and again.

The Hitcher may be one of the greatest unsung masterpieces in movie history. Director Robert Harmon, who made few other feature films but found a lengthy career directing for television, demonstrates a mastery of technique and a keen eye for aesthetic brilliance. This is a mightily accomplished, gorgeous-looking film that envelopes us in a tense, brooding atmosphere from the first minute to the last. While it’s very much a grounded, Earth-based story, Harmon’s subtle but powerful stylings constantly push us to view the film with a mythic or supernatural lens. Many films have been called ‘nightmares’, but this one earns that title in full — there’s something surreal or otherworldly about it, in the best, most engrossing way possible.

Hauer is at his psychopathic best here, calm, cool, methodical. The script never explains his motivations, but seems to hint that he’s got a death wish — hoping to finally push some potential victim over the edge, to become his equal in some dark way. When Howell and Hauer finally have their ultimate confrontation, Hauer seems ecstatic to die. It’s bewildering and provocative — and brilliant. Howell does a commendable job as Hauer’s ever-nervous prey. The tension mounts exquisitely throughout this film. The viewer is always ill at ease, having learned after the first twenty minutes that nothing is sacred and anything goes. If you’ve never seen The Hitcher, you’re in for a hell of a wicked ride.

With stellar cinematography by Oscar-winner John Seale (Witness, The English Patient, Mad Max: Fury Road) and terrifically moody score by Mark Isham. Jennifer Jason Leigh heads up the supporting cast as a kindly young waitress who aids Howell on his desperate journey.