The Hitcher

"Never pick up strangers."

2007 1h 24m EN

😐

5.9

MID

★5.9TMDB · 1,033

CrimeHorrorThriller

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

While driving through the New Mexico Desert during a rainy night, college students Jim Halsey and his girlfriend Grace Andrews give a ride to a hitchhiker. While in their car, the stranger proves to be a psychopath threatening the young couple with a knife, but Jim successfully throws him out of the car. This sets off a chain of events that will change all of their lives forever.

“Never pick up strangers.”

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Cast

Sean Bean
John Ryder
Sophia Bush
Grace Andrews
Zachary Knighton
Jim Halsey
Neal McDonough
Lieutenant Esteridge
Kyle Davis
Store Clerk
Danny Bolero
Officer Edwards
Jeffrey Hutchinson
Young Father
Skip O'Brien
Harlan Bremmer Sr.

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Dave Meyers
Writers: Eric Red, Eric Bernt, Jake Wade Wall
Languages: English
Countries: United States of America, United Kingdom

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

RUNTIME

Did you know

84 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released 19 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

International production across 2 countries: United States of America, United Kingdom.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Dave Meyers, shot by James Hawkinson. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Steve Jablonsky. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Jim May shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Sean Bean and Sophia Bush and Zachary Knighton carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "Never pick up strangers.".

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Dave Meyers directs. James Hawkinson behind the camera. Steve Jablonsky scores. Jim May cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Profitable at the box office. Produced in United States of America, United Kingdom. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

184 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.
2Released 19 years ago.
3International production across 2 countries: United States of America, United Kingdom.
4Directed by Dave Meyers, shot by James Hawkinson. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
5Original score by Steve Jablonsky. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
6Editor Jim May shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
7Sean Bean and Sophia Bush and Zachary Knighton carry the top of the cast.
8Marketing tagline: "Never pick up strangers.".
9IMDB entry: tt0455960 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
10Classified under 12 themes, including "gas station", "psychopath", "shotgun", "new mexico".

The technical file

Cinematography: James Hawkinson
Original score: Steve Jablonsky
Editing: Jim May
Production design: David Lazan
Costume design: Leeann Radeka
Makeup / hair: Greg Nicotero
VFX supervisor: Kelly Port
Sound: Steve Bartkowicz
Stunt coordinator: Kurt Bryant
Runtime: 84 min · 1h 24m
Aspect ratio (typical): 1.37:1 (Academy)
Status: Released
Budget: $10,000,000
Box office: $25,400,000
Return: 254% of budget
Original language: EN
Certification (US): R
IMDB: The Hitcher (2007)

Also by

Dave Meyers

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Community reviews

What people are saying

Wuchak2025-12-19
★ 7/10
Thrilling desert road flick improves upon the original This takes the template of the original movie from the mid-80s, augments the character of Nash by turning her into the protagonist’s girlfriend, Grace (Sophia Bush), makes the villain more believable (Sean Bean), effectively clarifies things without going overboard and has a way more satisfying climax. It also cuts out the fat for a welcome streamlined experience. It’s different enough so that you don’t feel like you’re watching the same movie. It runs 1h 24m and was shot in the summer of 2006 in the greater Sante Fe area of north-central New Mexico, as well as Austin, Texas (University of Texas and studio work). GRADE: B

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