The Hitcher 2007

Jim, a young college student played by Zachary Knighton, is excitedly preparing for a Spring Break getaway with his girlfriend, Grace, portrayed by Sophia Bush. They hit the highway in Jim’s sleek Oldsmobile 442, destined for Lake Havasu. However, their journey takes a dark turn as they navigate through a torrential rainstorm in New Mexico. While Jim steals affectionate glances at Grace, his momentary distraction leads to a near-accident with a man standing in the middle of the road. Feeling guilty for almost hitting the man, Jim decides to offer him a ride despite Grace’s adamant protests.

As they stop at a nearby gas station to refuel and gather snacks, the stranger, who introduces himself as John Rider, played by Sean Bean, re-emerges unexpectedly. Initially, he seems amiable, but things quickly spiral out of control when he begins probing Jim about his intimate life with Grace. Tension escalates when John destroys Jim’s cell phone and threatens him with a knife, demanding that he admit to wanting to die. In a moment of horror and desperation, Jim swerves the car, causing John to tumble out onto the highway.

Still shaken, Jim and Grace hope to report the incident to the police, but their plans go awry as they encounter more tragic events. When they find a family in peril, Jim and Grace realize that John is following them and is a much greater threat than they initially believed. After a chaotic drive and a series of harrowing confrontations, including Jim and Grace becoming suspects themselves, they find themselves in a life-and-death situation.

As they fight to survive against John Rider, the stakes keep rising. Their desperate struggle to clear their names leads to a sequence of violent encounters, ultimately resulting in a tragic climax that leaves both Jim and Grace in peril. In the end, when Grace confronts John in an effort to save Jim, she faces tough choices that test her will to fight against the killer. The confrontation culminates in an explosive finale, with Grace finally taking a stand and finding the strength to confront the darkness, leading to a thrilling resolution that reveals the true nature of their ordeal and the lasting scars they’ve endured.