Check Out the Trailer

Jim Halsey (C. Thomas Howell, SOUL MAN) is a college-aged drive away driver going from Chicago to San Diego. Late one night he picks up a hitchhiker named John Ryder (Rutger Hauer, BLADE RUNNER). Soon enough he realizes that he has picked up a sick killer.

Through quick thinking, Jim gets away and this begins Ryder’s torment of Jim, taunting him and making his life a living hell. Jim finds an ally in diner waitress Nash (Jennifer Jason Leigh, THE HUDSUCKER PROXY), though the world seems against him.

This cat and mouse tale is tense and fast moving. As the situation gets tenser for Jim, the film carries the same feelings to the audience with ease. Hauer is a perfect choice for the twisted sadomasochistic villain. Some of the film’s scares are classic moments. You won’t forget the French fries or what happens to Nash.

However, the overall film suffers from an ending that’s not quite believable, but the ride to get there is too good not to enjoy the whole film. For the thriller genre, this simple man versus man tale is solid entertainment.