For those of you who've driven across the USA, or long distance anywhere on your own, this story resonates as the mind can race and feel paranoia when on a long lonely trip into unfamiliar places with only yourself for conversation.
Inger Stevens was wonderfully cast as the lone driver traveling across America, her sensitive and delicate features conveyed a vulnerability that had you worried for her, even when she took on the companion sailor ostensibly for protection against the unsettling apparition of the hitch-hiker. I remember the first time watching, wondering whether he'd protect her or sexually assault her.
The portrayal of the hitch-hiker was also done splendidly, not physically threatening or even overly menacing, just very unsettling.
Inger Stevens was wonderfully cast as the lone driver traveling across America, her sensitive and delicate features conveyed a vulnerability that had you worried for her, even when she took on the companion sailor ostensibly for protection against the unsettling apparition of the hitch-hiker. I remember the first time watching, wondering whether he'd protect her or sexually assault her.
The portrayal of the hitch-hiker was also done splendidly, not physically threatening or even overly menacing, just very unsettling.