A taught little remake that pretty much blows it for anyone trying to thumb a ride, anywhere.
By Austin Davidson

The 1986 version of The Hitcher played on the wariness associated with picking up hitchhikers. While that version was a surreal story full of nightmare logic and camp acting, the 2007 remake offers a nice little counterpoint, anchored in a world of frightening realism.

In this story there are two travelers: Jim and Grace (Zachary Knighton and Sophia Bush), on their way to a carefree spring break vacation. On a dark and stormy night, these two young lovers nearly mow over a man on the road next to a broken down car. In these modern times, it would seem a little farfetched to pull over for anyone anymore and Jim and Grace quickly decide not to pick up the stranger. What this movie excels at is its credibility. Everything that happens feels very natural and unforced (besides one classic line: “I’ll be back in ten minutes”). This is a world of fear, but also of guilt, and when Jim runs into the hitcher (a.ka. John Ryder) again at a gas station to find him to be a clean-cut, well adjusted man, he gives in and welcomes him aboard for a quick ride to the nearest Motel 6. Anyone can guess this won’t be just a quick ride.

If anything leaves the theater with you after this film, it’s Sean Bean’s subtle and nuanced performance as John Ryder. Ryder is a maniac full of unexplained motives and anyone could have created a stock character who kills for no reason. Bean knew better. He turned the “no motive” aspect into something completely frightening: an angel of death that roams the highways to claim any victims he can find. Sophia Bush gets to be the tough girl here, making this film not the first to subvert the damsel in distress cliche, but in any case it plays well and realistic.

The movie emphasizes the suspense and downplays any over the top gore in favor of a well oiled plot and desperation of the characters. It is a smart decision and the film successfully rides the line between being horror, thriller, and actioneer. With any horror, suspense/action movie, you won’t find many meaty moments of deep psychological truth that will change the way you see the world. Let’s be honest, that’s not what people are looking to get from The Hitcher. What makes it a fun ride are the Pit and Pendulum obstacles and rising suspense. It’s worth checking out on a dark and stormy night, but please, don’t stop for anyone thumbing a ride along the way.