10 Great Horror Movies With An Incredibly Simple Premise

10. The Hitcher

There's no better example of why picking up a hitchhiker is simply not worth the risk than this infamous '80s cult classic.

Rutger Hauer is on suitably evil form as the psychopathic John Ryder. When protagonist Jim Halsey makes the life-altering mistake of picking the hitching Ryder up, his life is fast turned upside down as he finds himself locked in a twisted cat-and-mouse game with the mysterious killer.

There’s no obvious reason for Ryder’s murderous mayhem here. All that matters for Halsey is finally being rid of the hitcher’s murderous hijinks. The lack of motive, and emphasis on the chase over any backstory or development, makes this fast-paced chiller an effective study in minimalist storytelling and the impact it can have on creating suspense and tension in the horror genre.

The action-packed climax benefits from the slow-burning fear factor the film has gradually built on up to that point. The closing scene feels thematically perfect for the dynamic the two lead characters share. The manner in which the Captain Esteridge character looks on in disbelief in the final frames is an effective representation of the viewer's own dismay at what's occurred.

Had this film attempted to complicate things, it's likely its third act's impact would've been diminished.