Ida Lupino, one of the very few female directors of the time, made this stirring film noir influenced by Billy Cook...

| Mar 8, 2023

In this taut depiction, the plot’s based on the true-life 1950 murder spree by Billy Cook.

| Mar 21, 2022

If The Hitch-Hiker can be called feminist, then this label flows from a recurring theme in Lupino's work - her critique of society's need to maintain traditional gender roles and institutional normalcy, even if it means the loss of individuality.

| Original Score: 4/4 | Feb 12, 2022

The drama itself is confined to one basic situation: captives at the gunpoint mercy of a trigger-happy killer. But, playing this conflict for all it is worth, the movie works up a good deal of sweaty suspense without using false theatrics.

| Feb 24, 2021

Ever-mounting suspense, highlighted by notable acting adds to this grimly realistic plot of a nightmarish journey into Mexico.

| Feb 24, 2021

Don't take any children to see The Hitch-Hiker. And if anyone who sees the film ever picks up hitch-hikers again, he'll deserve what may happen.

| Feb 24, 2021

That a woman directed this picture is something to consider. Not that I underestimate the potentiality of any woman director. But, this is so definitely a man's story that the results are amazing.

| Feb 24, 2021

With nothing more than three able actors, a car, a lot of rugged scenery, and their own impressive talents as producers, authors and director, Collier Young and Ida Lupino have brewed a grim little chiller called The Hitch-Hiker.

| Feb 24, 2021

The Hitch-Hiker is a good movie because it does what it sets out to do. Without the handicap of more "message" than story, it performs a public service in alerting drivers to possible dangers of obeying a kindly impulse.

| Feb 24, 2021

Slight, but chillingly effective.

| Feb 24, 2021

This photoplay, with its high suspense and savage masculine stresses and conflicts, was directed by Ida Lupino. It is a little masterpiece of crime-depiction.

| Feb 24, 2021

Talman as the murderous fugitive and Loveioy and O'Brien as the imperiled men are in almost every minute of the footage of this generally gripping, but somewhat repetitious film. All three perform excellently.

| Feb 24, 2021

[Filmmakers Ida Lupino and Collier Young] have kept the film down to the taut and simple fundamentals if menace, suspense and chase, and have turned out an effective job, which ought to give any viewer some nervous moments.

| Feb 24, 2021

One of the most entertaining thrillers we have seen in many moons.

| Feb 24, 2021

Miss Ida Lupino, who directs the all male cast, has dared to use an amazingly effective trick. She has paced the action at a nerve-wreakingly slow tempo.

| Feb 24, 2021

Like the man with the gun in The Hitch-Hiker, the man In the theater seat keeps watching for a single false move. And to the credit of all concerned with the tight little thriller [The Hitch-hiker], this spectator never caught one.

| Feb 24, 2021

Excellent photography and full use of the locales and locations coming to hand in the flight make of Hitch Hiker a believable, though unrelenting bit of movie watching.

| Feb 24, 2021

The action is taut throughout and Miss Lupino has done a fine job of directing her own story.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Feb 24, 2021

This is a very heavy melodrama, but it has been produced so well that one feels as if going through an actual experience.

| Feb 24, 2021

[A] wearisome and pointless attempt at continuous tension.

| Feb 24, 2021