Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		5.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

Hitcher in the Dark Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf March 23, 2021

While credited as “Humphrey Humbert,” 1989’s “Hitcher in the Dark” is the work of Umberto Lenzi, the man who gave the world “Cannibal Ferox,” “Ghosthouse,” and “Spasmo.” A helmer who always favored quantity over quality, Lenzi liked to move fast and collect whatever footage he could, and that professional drive is most apparent in “Hitcher in the Dark,” which plays like a community theater workshop session, only with more lurid writing to power hysterical performances. The general idea here is to offer a serial killer story with deep psychological grooves, turning an encounter between predator and prey into an extended dance of insanity. Lenzi isn’t a refined moviemaker, happy to make something goofy as long as it’s finished, and that’s what happens here, gifting viewers a wild ride of the unsavory and the unintentionally hilarious.

Mark (Joe Balogh) is a disturbed young man who enjoys picking up female hitchhikers to murder, giving their energy to the memory of his mother, Daneska. Visiting the Virginia Beach area, Mark offers a ride to Daniela (Josie Bissett), a distraught woman who’s recently dumped her boyfriend, Kevin (Jason Saucier), and is eager to get out of town. Settling into Mark’s RV for the trip, Daniela is soon drugged and restrained by the monster, but instead of being murdered, the victim is held against her will, with her resemblance to Daneska leaving Mark confused. Attempting to transform Daniela into his mother, Mark starts to lose control, creating a violent situation for the captive woman, who can’t fight her way to freedom. Tracking their whereabouts is Kevin, who’s beginning to understand the threat Mark poses to his ex-girlfriend, setting out to rescue her.

Mark’s issues are presented right at the beginning of “Hitcher in the Dark” (it should be noted that most of the movie takes place during the day), with the vicious killer collecting a future victim at a theme park curb, quickly dispatching the stranger while possibly in the midst of sexually assaulting her, taking a few celebratory Polaroids before feeding her corpse to an alligator. Mark’s motives aren’t immediately clear, but his intentions with hitchhikers are, setting up a danger zone for Daniela, who’s happy to catch a ride out of Virginia Beach after dealing with Kevin’s doltish ways. Lenzi tries to make the area irresistible, with the locals excited about a daytime Madonna concert on the beach (something tells me the “Like a Prayer” superstar might have better venue options around this time period), but Daniela has to go, quickly drugged and handcuffed by Mark, who can’t believe he’s found a match to his mother.

In true “Psycho” fashion, Mark can’t get away from the presence of his parent, with “Hitcher in the Dark” exploring his obsession with Daneska, soon transforming the abductee into the spitting image of his mother. What should be an uneasy mix of intimidation and insanity is turned into pure exploitation by Lenzi, who (along with screenwriter Olga Pehar) spends very little time inside Daniela’s head, watching early escape attempts turn into Stockholm Syndrome in a matter of moments, culminating in a seductive scene where Mark gets his chance to have sex with mommy. It’s meant to be disturbing, and it is, but for the wrong reasons, with Lenzi more interested in titillation and suffering than establishing a sort of war of wills between the lead characters, who remain in the RV for most of the movie. And if Lenzi’s lascivious intentions aren’t exactly clear, keep in mind “Hitcher in the Dark” suddenly cuts to a wet t-shirt contest out of nowhere, powering up on nudity before its back to scenes where Mark screams at Daniela, asking too much of Balogh and Bissett’s thespian skill level.

Hitcher in the Dark Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation is sourced from a 4K scan of the original camera negative. The results are inviting, with a full sense of detail throughout the viewing experience. Facial surfaces are exact, along with RV interiors. Exteriors are dimensional, capturing the expanse of beaches and drive-ins. Costuming is fibrous. Colors retain true primary power, emerging from beach and period outfits, and greenery is vivid with forests and grass. Skintones are natural. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in excellent condition.

Hitcher in the Dark Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix delivers a louder listening event, with some age detected in crispier highs, especially during musical offerings. Dialogue exchanges are satisfactory, with comfortable stretches of panic and no issues with unintelligibility. Scoring selections are appreciable, with decent instrumentation.

Hitcher in the Dark Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film historians Kat Ellinger and Samm Deighan.

• Interview (10:20, SD) is an older conversation with director Umberto Lenzi (who passed away in 2017), who explores his intent with the psychology of "Hitcher in the Dark," trying to reach into the depths of trauma to fuel characterization. The violence of the "pig" carving scene is discussed, with Lenzi admitting Manson Family influence with the addition. Casting is detailed, with Joe Balogh and Josie Bisset actually providing screen tests for their parts. The interviewee also shares his frustration with Bisset, who wouldn't consent to more nudity and sexuality while shooting scenes of seduction. And Lenzi analyzes the changed ending for "Hitcher in the Dark," agreeing to a "happy" conclusion to prevent the producers from shooting it themselves.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (3:12, HD) is included.

Hitcher in the Dark Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Hitcher in the Dark" tries to encourage some suspense with Kevin's pursuit, with the dude getting closer to the horror of the RV, stopping to hunt for clues from people he shouldn't listen to, including one biker who freely admits to being on acid. Lenzi gets violent with the picture, offering scenes of torture and death, and, weirdly, it all seems to be headed toward an incredibly dark conclusion, which is a promising development. The production ultimately pulls its only punch, but they do provide some prime scenes of B-movie silliness to support the viewing experience, finding Lenzi in no mood for directorial refinement. I'd be shocked to learn if there's a moment here that was allowed a second take.