$hubes

1/10

What a total and absolute WASTE of almost 98 minutes of my life. Found this on one of my curated lists entitled _11 Realistic Horror Movies That Are Hard to Watch_ and I can agree with the _"Hard to Watch"_ part... but I'll bet it's not for the same reason that person had in mind when they curated that list. In fact, why this gross turd would even be listed on any kind of "horror" movie list is beyond me, unless it was a _"Don't Dare Waste Your Time Watching These Smelly Turdblossom Films"_ list. This was just ridiculous. It was bad even by 1980's standards. I went through high school in the late 70's - early 80's so I was "in my prime" (such as it was) when this movie came out. I don't remember this one (although I remember seeing the VHS covers lining the walls of the local video rental stores. Anyone else remember those days?) but I was expecting this to be far far better than this steaming pile. Wow, I am beyond disappointed. When the end credits started rolling, I was just short of angry for wasting 98 minutes of my life on this thing. Absolutely no storyline, the acting was incredibly bad (except for Rutger, of course) and there were sooooooooooooo many plot holes that it was just....well, it was not only bad, it was also an insult to your intelligence. How completely awful was this film? I rarely give anything a "1" rating because "Weak Sauce" doesn't sound necessarily "worse" than "Terrible" (a rating of 2 by Trakt's rating system), but this loaf of dookey is definitely getting the absolute worst of the worst: I may not fully comprehend what "weak sauce" means, but if I could go any lower than a "1" on the Trakt rating system, this fetid pile of fermented tripe would get it. This sucked balls. Don't EVER waste your time on this.

threespoons

2/10

Rutger Hauer’s performance in The Hitcher is a standout, delivering a chilling and unpredictable portrayal of John Ryder, a hitchhiker who turns out to be a sadistic killer. The film creates a relentless tension as Ryder stalks Jim Halsey, the main character, across desolate roads, evoking a sense of isolation similar to films like Vanishing Point. However, the film’s protagonist, Jim Halsey, falls short. His character feels poorly written and acted, leading to frustration with his illogical decisions. Additionally, other characters’ actions sometimes defy reason, further diminishing the film’s believability. While The Hitcher has its moments of suspense and a compelling antagonist, the combination of a lackluster protagonist and questionable character motivations ultimately holds it back. This film might appeal to those who enjoy relentless road thrillers, but for others, it may fall short of expectations. There’s also a strange artistic choice to only show graphic violence or gore at certain times. For instance, the largest and most shocking scene involving a woman tied to a car is simply cut to black. For fans of relentless road thrillers with a sense of isolation and escalating suspense, The Hitcher will appeal to those who enjoyed films like Duel, Joy Ride, or Vanishing Point. The eerie, desolate atmosphere and the cat-and-mouse tension make it a fitting watch for anyone drawn to unsettling encounters on the open road.

moonkodi

3/10

Spoilers

It started off strong. Rutger is creepy and intense as John Ryder and I felt in for a treat. The problems start with the character of John who is more like the terminator than a human. He's somehow at the right place at the right second to kill as many as he wants and then seems to vanish. You drive for miles and get a motel room and away... you jump in the shower... by the time your out the shower he's took your love interest and tied her to a lorry. Don't go and eat a french fry or it may be a finger that John snuck in the bowl. John even brakes out of the driving police security van and by the time he's kicked open the back doors and after shooting the police in the front (of the van now driven by a dead policeman?) Jim just so happens to be behind the van. There is no explanation as to why John hunts Jim but there a few mysterious lines of dialogue that you're supposed to give meaning to if you want. John just wants Jim to kill him likes he's chosen to do so... again we speculate and give reason to the unreasonable. The movies illogical plot and flat characters feel like they were written by a school kid who likes to draw pictures of gore in lessons instead of doing the work.

JPV852

0/10

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**