About The Hitcher (HBO)

The Hitcher is a gripping, suspense thriller released in 1986, directed by Robert Harmon. The movie revolves around the experiences of a young man who picks up a mysterious hitchhiker.

Plot and Summary

The narrative unfolds on an open highway, where Jim Halsey (C. Thomas Howell), a young driver transporting a car from Chicago to San Diego, picks up a hitchhiker named John Ryder (Rutger Hauer). However, Ryder soon reveals himself to be a violent sociopath, intent on terrorizing Halsey and leaving a trail of murders in his wake. The police mistakenly believe Halsey to be the killer, leaving him to fend for himself against both law enforcement and the relentless pursuit of Ryder.

Making / Production

Directed by Robert Harmon, The Hitcher utilized the stretching roads and desert landscapes to build suspense and tension throughout the movie. The claustrophobic confines the vehicle and the expansive, barren, landscapes served as the perfect backdrop against which the grim thriller unfolds.

Actors

• C. Thomas Howell as Jim Halsey: Howell gives an excellent performance as a young man under extreme pressure who finds courage and resilience amidst violence and terror.
• Rutger Hauer as John Ryder: Hauer's performance is chilling, his portrayal of the cold-blooded hitchhiker is both frightening and eerily charismatic.
• Jennifer Jason Leigh as Nash: Leigh perfectly plays a sympathetic waitress who becomes tangled up in the deadly cat-and-mouse game between Halsey and Ryder.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The Hitcher was Rutger Hauer’s first American film.
• Despite being set on a highway between Chicago and San Diego, the entire movie was filmed in Texas.
• The movie spawned a less successful sequel in 2003 and a remake in 2007.

Quotes

• John Ryder: "I want you to stop me."
• Jim Halsey: "Why are you doing this to me?" John Ryder: "You're a smart kid... figure it out."

Music, Soundtrack

• "Powerhouse" performed by White Bird
• "Guess You Had to Be There" performed by Johnny Lee
• "Where Did Our Love Go" performed by Marilyn Manson and The Spooky Kids.