The Hitch-Hiker (1953): cast, story & where to watch
1953 · Film · ★ 6.8
Released in 1953, The Hitch-Hiker is a thriller and crime film directed by Ida Lupino, running about 71 minutes. “Who'll be his next victim... YOU?” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Roy and Gilbert's fishing trip takes a terrifying turn when the hitchhiker they pick up turns out to be a sociopath on the run from the law. He's killed before, and he lets the two know that as soon as they're no longer useful, he'll kill again. The two friends plot an escape, but the hitchhiker's peculiar physical affliction, an eye that never closes even when he sleeps, makes it impossible for them to tell when they can make a break for it.
Who’s in it. The Hitch-Hiker stars Edmond O'Brien as Roy Collins, Frank Lovejoy as Gilbert Bowen, William Talman as Emmett Myers and José Torvay as Captain Alvarado, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.8/10, The Hitch-Hiker has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Amazon Prime Video, Brew, TCM and Amazon Prime Video with Ads and rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Fandango At Home. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Hitch-Hiker page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Hitch-Hiker tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, Pulp Fiction, Parasite and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Hitch-Hiker (1953)?
- In US, The Hitch-Hiker is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video, Brew and TCM, and rent or buy from Amazon Video and Fandango At Home. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The Hitch-Hiker worth watching?
- The Hitch-Hiker holds an audience score of 6.8 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy thriller and crime. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Hitch-Hiker?
- The Hitch-Hiker stars Edmond O'Brien, Frank Lovejoy, William Talman, José Torvay and Sam Hayes.
- When was The Hitch-Hiker released?
- The Hitch-Hiker was released in 1953, with a runtime of about 71 minutes.