Horror Extreme Movie Catalog

I don't like Italian horror movies as much as some others, but I had heard that this was a worthwhile effort from director Umberto Lenzi. Although the film did have some suspenseful scenes they were few and far between, and many of the plot "twists" let me thinking "yeah, right" (especially the scene where the evil rich kid with the motorhome takes it to a drive-in movie with his two chained and shackled victims in the back). Interestingly, I was very intrigued with the film being shown at the drive-in and had to wonder what on earth it was. If it was a real movie (which seems likely) and not a contrivance for this film, then the reactions of the crowd are completely inappropriate given the very, very poor quality of the clips seen. I actually found that quandary more interesting than the central plot of the film, which doesn't speak well of Lenzi's handiwork.

The film does have high points, notably Josie Bissett, who turns in a very credible performance (although the conclusion can be seen coming a mile away) and a couple of well crafted plot twists. The problem is that anytime a genuinely scary twist occurs, it has an unbelievable resolution (especially the "road block" scene which made me roll my eyes and groan audibly).

The movie would have been much improved if Lenzi had done two things: reduce running time by about 15 minutes (it is 90 minutes long, and includes a lot of extraneous filler, most of which involve very bad dancing at truck stops) and recast the role of the evildoer with anyone other than Joe Balogh, who is good at the empty-eyed stare of a genuine lunatic, and, unfortunately, nothing else. His performance irritated me more as the film progressed, and for watching such a "taut thriller" I found myself very bored, the worst possible condemnation of a film of this nature.

I decided on two stars overall: Bissett is very pretty and is very good in her role, but that is the only thing to recommend "Hitcher in the Dark."

This is a campy killer.The dude picks up hitchhikers (babes of course) and teaches them a lesson of their life. It has some excitment and suspense that are very spooky. I personally liked the movie and makes me and my wife a special event every time we go camping. Take a look if you can find it well worth it.Lenzi is a far out and off the wall director that has done some pretty scary stuff.