The Hitcher

by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas

Robert Harmon's 1986 film The Hitcher is a complex reviled at the time of its release, it has been adored in the long term as one of the most intoxicating, unrelenting highway cult films ever made. Starring Rutger Hauer in the title role whose alluring villainy would give his turn as Blade Runner's Roy Batty a run for its money, The Hitcher - both the film and the character - is simultaneously of its time and of the now, a film about the real and the mythic, and a film that challenges our assumptions about masculinity and femininity. Its horrors unfold as The Hitcher tracks and tortures the film's protagonists across the highways of Nowhere USA, and the film reveals a tangle of it is, at times, simultaneously dense, shallow, obvious, subtle, absurd and deeply intelligent. The critical paths into The Hitcher that this book explores are rich and plentiful, and through an exploration of its origins and production history, a close analysis of the film itself and a consideration of the immediate fallout following its release and its longer legacies, this book celebrates one of the greatest highway horror movies ever made. Alexandra Heller-Nicholas is a film critic and academic from Melbourne, Australia, who has written four books on cult, horror and exploitation cinema. Featuring new artwork by Gary Pullin and original stills.

Genres: Film, Nonfiction

40 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2017

About the author

Alexandra Heller-Nicholas is a film critic, research academic and the author of seven books on cult, horror, and exploitation cinema with an emphasis on gender politics. She has recently co-edited the book ReFocus: The Films of Elaine May for Edinburgh University Press, and her forthcoming book 1000 Women in Horror has been optioned for a documentary series. Alexandra is also a programming consultant for Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas, the largest genre film festival in the United States.

Reviews

[Jon Weidler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I plowed through this book over the course of an evening, because I - like John Ryder and Jim Halsey - just couldn't stop. "The Hitcher" is one of my favorite horror movies, and Alexandra Heller-Nicholas covers a remarkable amount of ground in under 100 pages. The behind-the-scenes details, from genesis to preproduction to release, are fascinating; but it's the detailed, scene-by-scene breakdown of the themes and motifs of the film itself that's truly fascinating. I've watched "The Hitcher" countless times over the years, and Heller-Nicholas' analysis had me considering seemingly superficial details in an entirely new light. Informative and insightful, and essential reading for fans of this still-underappreciated classic. (The price tag is salty, but well worth it.)

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very brief yet good analysis of the (mostly) gender and sexuality politics of the film. Also, much time is spent in figuring out if Rutger Hauer's character is the bogeyman, or a shadow of the protagonist. Also explored is debating whether the film is nihilistic or a different version of an "coming of age" story. Much food for thought.

[Todd Charlton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice insight into an overlooked terrific film. One of Rutgar Hauer's most memorable performances as John Ryder, hitch hiker, psychopath, ghost? One of the few films that made me feel genuine dread.

[Ariel Baska · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful and considered commentary on a film that I believe to be essential viewing for anyone who likes genre film at all. The author explores many topics and images that are the genesis and/or heart of this film, as well as the production process, the many ways to read the film, and concludes by discussing the reception and legacy of The Hitcher, both as a cult object and as inspiration for other works, including unfortunate sequels.