The Hitcher 2 – I’ve Been Waiting

Straight-to-video sequel to the celebrated 1986 thriller. Still haunted by the frightening events of his past, Jim Halsey (C. Thomas Howell) goes back to confront his demons. Joined by his girlfriend, Maggie (Kari Wuhrer), the pair soon find themselves travelling down the same desolate stretch of West Texas road where the original nightmare began. Is it really wise of them to pick up another hitchhiker?
Jake Busey steps into Rutger Hauer’s cowboy boots to remind viewers about the dangers of picking up hitchhikers in this sequel to the 1986 thriller. Though suggested, it’s unclear whether Busey’s black-clad hitcher is actually supposed to be Hauer, who blackmailed teen driver Jim (C. Thomas Howell) for a series of killing 17 years earlier, but he makes life miserable all the same for the grown Jim (Howell again), now an trauma-plagued cop, and his girlfriend (Kari Wuhrer) as they drive through Texas (played here by Canada, and well photographed by George Mooradian). But where the original Hitcher was a taut exercise in suspense, executive producer Charles Meeker’s script is simply a retread of its predecessor’s highlights, including the infamous “drawn and quartered” scene, and gives the three leads little to do. Busey tries hard, but lacks Hauer’s formidable presence, which may disappoint fans of the original; undemanding frightfest aficionados might enjoy this best.