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The Hitcher

  • 1986
  • R
  • 1h 37m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
55K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,167
289
The Hitcher (1986)
A young man who escapes the clutches of a murderous hitchhiker is subsequently stalked by the hitcher and framed for his crimes.
Play trailer2:30
1 Video
99+ Photos
Psychological ThrillerActionMysteryThriller

A young man who escapes the clutches of a murderous hitchhiker is subsequently stalked by the hitcher and framed for his crimes.A young man who escapes the clutches of a murderous hitchhiker is subsequently stalked by the hitcher and framed for his crimes.A young man who escapes the clutches of a murderous hitchhiker is subsequently stalked by the hitcher and framed for his crimes.

  • Director
    • Robert Harmon
  • Writer
    • Eric Red
  • Stars
    • Rutger Hauer
    • C. Thomas Howell
    • Jennifer Jason Leigh
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    7.2/10
    55K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    4,167
    289
    • Director
      • Robert Harmon
    • Writer
      • Eric Red
    • Stars
      • Rutger Hauer
      • C. Thomas Howell
      • Jennifer Jason Leigh
    • 331User reviews
    • 101Critic reviews
    • 32Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 1 nomination

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:30
    Official Trailer

    Photos134

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    Top cast16

    Edit
    Rutger Hauer
    Rutger Hauer
    • John Ryder
    C. Thomas Howell
    C. Thomas Howell
    • Jim Halsey
    Jennifer Jason Leigh
    Jennifer Jason Leigh
    • Nash
    Jeffrey DeMunn
    Jeffrey DeMunn
    • Captain Esteridge
    John M. Jackson
    John M. Jackson
    • Sergeant Starr
    • (as John Jackson)
    Billy Green Bush
    Billy Green Bush
    • Trooper Donner
    • (as Billy Greenbush)
    Jack Thibeau
    Jack Thibeau
    • Trooper Prestone
    Armin Shimerman
    Armin Shimerman
    • Interrogation Sergeant
    Gene Davis
    Gene Davis
    • Trooper Dodge
    • (as Eugene Davis)
    Jon Van Ness
    Jon Van Ness
    • Trooper Hapscomb
    Henry Darrow
    Henry Darrow
    • Trooper Hancock
    Tony Epper
    • Trooper Conners
    Tom Spratley
    Tom Spratley
    • Proprietor
    Colin Campbell
    • Construction Man
    Brittania
      Garth Shaw
      • Photographer
      • (uncredited)
      • Director
        • Robert Harmon
      • Writer
        • Eric Red
      • All cast & crew
      • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

      Remembering Rutger Hauer (1944-2019)

      Remembering Rutger Hauer (1944-2019)

      We celebrate the life and legacy of Rutger Hauer, the award-winning actor best known for Blade Runner and The Hitcher.
      Watch the video
      Editorial Image
      1:08

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      Storyline

      Edit

      Did you know

      Edit
      • Trivia
        Rutger Hauer did a lot of the stunt driving throughout the movie, which amazed the crew and even the real stunt drivers.
      • Goofs
        The car that gets hit by the bus loses its bumper, but the bumper can be seen in a subsequent shot.
      • Quotes

        John Ryder: Gas stations have cigarettes.

        Jim Halsey: What about gas?

        John Ryder: I don't need gas.

        Jim Halsey: What do you want?

        [John starts laughing]

        Jim Halsey: What's so funny?

        John Ryder: That's what the other guy said.

        Jim Halsey: What other guy?

        John Ryder: That guy back there, the one we just passed. The guy who picked me up before you did.

        Jim Halsey: That was him in there?

        John Ryder: Sure it was. He couldn't have walked very far.

        Jim Halsey: Why's that?

        John Ryder: Because I cut off his legs... and his arms... and his head... and I'm going to do the same to you.

      • Connections
        Edited into The Hitcher: 'How Do These Movies Get Made?' (2003)
      • Soundtracks
        Don't Stop Lovin' Me
        Performed by Mickey Jones
        Published by Mickey Jones Music (ASCAP)

      User reviews331

      Review
      Review
      Featured review

      A classic in my view!

      Starring everybody's favourite Dutchman, Rutger Hauer, this superb road movie thriller is tense, thrilling and superbly atmospheric.

      The first scene between the Hitcher and Jim Holsey was superb, Rutger puts in a chilling performance. Mr Hauer has a reputation for pulling off some memorable bad guy performances, namely this, Blade runner and Nighthawks, but this is my favourite of his performances. The lines he has were brilliant. The pacing of the film was very good and apart from Rutger stealing the show the other actors were good. Jennifer Jason Leigh was good in her small role and of course C Thomas Howell in the lead does a good job. Overall this gets a 9/10 from me.
      • supertom-3
      • Jan 2, 2002
      • Permalink

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      FAQ23

      • How long is The Hitcher?Powered by Alexa
      • The woman that Jim Halsey met on the bus, why did she help him?
      • Why does Ryder place the coins on Halsey's eyes and under his tongue in the diner?
      • Would stringing Nash up between a semi-tractor & a trailer really tear her in half?

      Details

      Edit
      • Release date
        • February 21, 1986 (United States)
      • Country of origin
        • United States
      • Languages
        • English
        • French
      • Also known as
        • Hitcher, el asesino de la carretera
      • Filming locations
        • Roy's Motel and Cafe, Amboy, California, USA(Roy's diner)
      • Production companies
        • HBO Pictures
        • Silver Screen Partners
      • See more company credits at IMDbPro

      Box office

      Edit
      • Budget
        • $6,000,000 (estimated)
      • Gross US & Canada
        • $5,844,868
      • Opening weekend US & Canada
        • $2,134,214
        • Feb 23, 1986
      • Gross worldwide
        • $5,844,868
      See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

      Tech specs

      Edit
      • Runtime
        1 hour 37 minutes
      • Color
        • Color
      • Aspect ratio
        • 2.39 : 1

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