The Hitcher (1986)

Summary: Jim Halsey is driving a car for a rental company along the interstate between Chicago and California. He is having difficulty staying awake and stops to pick up a hitchhiker for company. But once in the car, the hitcher John Ryder pulls a knife and tells Jim that he is going to kill him. Although Jim is able to ditcher Ryder soon after, he notices Ryder get picked up by a family. Ryder follows, playing a psychological game, taunting Jim, killing everyone around him and only Ryder knows why!           Overall: I’ve read a lot of positive reviews for this film...and this won’t be one of them. The film starts off with little or no info, which is their point ad then proceeds down a path of absurdity and obnoxiousness. It gets more and more unrealistic as the film progresses and it gets annoying. Who is this kid that this bad guy wants to go to all these lengths to play with him? Film never does explain it and that gets annoying. It’s just so much a lack of realism and it gets flat out silly by the end. I think the film could have been a nice “Duel” type film had it slowed down and taken its time with the “hitch-hiker” angle but frankly, the plot gets tossed out the window after 10 minutes. Such a waste!           By the way, below I compare this film to the 1940's radio show "Suspense" and their episode of "The Hitch-Hiker." Now this is some good stuff. Stars Orson Welles and wonderfully narrated. So click here and download the 30 min radio show, and see for yourself.           Comparison: Suspense' “The Hitch-Hiker” meets Saw

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