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"Disneyland . . . "

I can say without any shadow of a doubt that Rutger Hauer as John Ryder from the original Hitcher (1986) film is not only one of my favourite villains of all time, but it's also one of my all time favourite performances, too.

How ever you may interpret the ambiguous relationship and chemistry that develops between Ryder and Halsey, there's no denying that it's quite remarkable to watch unfold, and for me, it remains unequalled in any other film I've seen since.

The interpretation that Rutger brought to the role moulded a villain that - whilst his true intentions and purpose is never revealed to the audience - is both a relentless, unfeeling madman, stalking the footsteps - or rather, tracks - of the protagonist, seemingly always one step ahead, but also, what makes Rutger's portrayal of Ryder truly captivating for me personally, is the mischievous, bordering on playful, comedic and subtly seductive way in which he interacts with Halsey. All the while he appears to be mocking him, but at the same time, he's accompanying this crazed joviality with some bizarre and unnerving flickers of tenderness and intimacy.

These contradictions, along with half-a-dozen unanswered questions that, I for one, never really want to discover as it's much more interesting that way, creates one hell of a menacing, mystifying and unforgettable villain that'll stay with me for a lifetime.

Year: 2014

Materials: HB, B, 2B, 4B, 5B, 6B, 8B

Time: 11 Hours

Description

"Disneyland . . . "

I can say without any shadow of a doubt that Rutger Hauer as John Ryder from the original Hitcher (1986) film is not only one of my favourite villains of all time, but it's also one of my all time favourite performances, too.

How ever you may interpret the ambiguous relationship and chemistry that develops between Ryder and Halsey, there's no denying that it's quite remarkable to watch unfold, and for me, it remains unequalled in any other film I've seen since.

The interpretation that Rutger brought to the role moulded a villain that - whilst his true intentions and purpose is never revealed to the audience - is both a relentless, unfeeling madman, stalking the footsteps - or rather, tracks - of the protagonist, seemingly always one step ahead, but also, what makes Rutger's portrayal of Ryder truly captivating for me personally, is the mischievous, bordering on playful, comedic and subtly seductive way in which he interacts with Halsey. All the while he appears to be mocking him, but at the same time, he's accompanying this crazed joviality with some bizarre and unnerving flickers of tenderness and intimacy.

These contradictions, along with half-a-dozen unanswered questions that, I for one, never really want to discover as it's much more interesting that way, creates one hell of a menacing, mystifying and unforgettable villain that'll stay with me for a lifetime.

Year: 2014

Materials: HB, B, 2B, 4B, 5B, 6B, 8B

Time: 11 Hours