12 Underrated Horror Movie Gems From The 2000s

Robert Harmon returns to the road trip horror subgenre he all but invented with the 1986 classic, The Hitcher. Bringing composer Mark Isham back with him, Harmon provides an action-packed chiller that lacks the nuisance of his earlier film.

Jim Caveziel plays Rennie, a widower out to avenge his murdered wife. The killer is a psychotic serial killer with a 1972 Cadillac Eldorado he uses as his weapon of choice (more of a crasher than a slasher if you will). Rennie closes in on him just as he’s picking a new victim. The action scenes are exceptionally well choreographed throughout, allowing the viewer to see into the chaos without endless shaky cam and quick cuts. Colm Feore’s Fargo, a killer barely held together by numerous metal body braces, is suitably despicable when finally revealed and Rhona Mitra delivers the goods as Molly, a potential victim who teams up with Rennie.

Harmon and Isham gel together nicely once again, displaying great poise and attention to detail in building the film’s tension. While the film lacks the ambiguity and originality of The Hitcher, it remains an entertaining chase. Shot at a break neck pace, the film whizzes by as quickly and angrily as the killer’s dreaded murder car.