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The Hidden

R Released Oct 30, 1987 1h 36m Sci-Fi List
76% Tomatometer 34 Reviews 73% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
An FBI agent (Kyle MacLachlan) and a homicide detective (Michael Nouri) hunt the current human host of an orally exchanged alien life-form.
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The Hidden

Critics Reviews

View All (34) Critics Reviews
Variety Staff Variety The Hidden is a well-constructed thriller, directed with swift assurance by Jack Sholder, brought down by an utterly conventional sci-fi ending. Mar 26, 2009 Full Review Derek Adams Time Out Powered by a driving rock score, this is by turns sleek, reckless, and smoothly effective, like a Ferrari with a psycho killer at the wheel. Feb 9, 2006 Full Review Vincent Canby New York Times A jokey sci-fi horror movie about the desperate pursuit of a vile ''thing'' from outer space. Rated: 2/4 Aug 30, 2004 Full Review Rick Bentley Town Talk (Alexandria, LA) There it is, a fast-paced production which will have you clinging to your seat and reaching for your stomach. This isn't great cinema, but it sure is entertaining. Oct 8, 2024 Full Review Eddie Harrison film-authority.com …The Hidden is probably the movie that’s closest to The Terminator in its frenetic pace, punchy action, underlying sci-fi premise and ingenious story… Rated: 4/5 Nov 5, 2023 Full Review Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand Director Jack Sholder.... turns this high concept, low budget sci-fi thriller into a minor classic. Oct 29, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (312) audience reviews
Jay H A great action/sci-fi hybrid. It moves fast and it's never boring. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/21/24 Full Review Alec B I do sort of appreciate the frenzied narrative as it can be fun when these kinds of movies don't take themselves too seriously. However it does mean that you have to keep a certain high energy pace and I just don't think "The Hidden" does that. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/22/24 Full Review DanTheMan 2 Rockstar Games definitely owes some form of royalties to Jack Sholder. The Hidden is a fantastically unique and wickedly fun piece of genre cinema, under the guise of a routine 80s buddy cop police thriller it pulls the rug out from under you very early on and continues at full speed like a Ferrari with a psycho killer at the wheel. With the right tone to draw you into its premise, as unstintingly violent as it is crudely ingenious, it is sleek, reckless and smoothly effective. Kyle MacLachlan excels at playing lone outsider Gallagher, it almost feels like a precursor to his role as Dale Cooper in Twin Peaks. Backed by his excellent chemistry with Michael Nouri's Beck the duo is a fun watch as Beck slowly comes to realise this isn't just another homicide case. Directed with swift assurance by Sholder and powered by a driving rock score courtesy of Michael Convertino, The Hidden is a well-constructed, endlessly entertaining minor classic, with a frenetic pace, punchy action, underlying sci-fi premise and ingenious story, this sci-fi thriller more than worthy of your time. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 11/05/23 Full Review Audience Member An alien invasion movie influenced by the Ronald Reagan era It blends high speed chases, alien sci-fi body horror, and social satire A visual gag or a quick one-liner breaks the tension thanks to Sholder's direction He keeps the pedal pressed to the floor, the pace of its plot unspooling is relentless… and breathtaking, every moment is exciting and thrilling Both MacClachlan and Nouri share palpable chemistry Serves as a stand-in for American citizens affected by 1980's consumerism whether it was the lure of heavy rock, sex, drugs and rock n roll Also has a surprising amount of heart to go with especially the ending A true crackerjack action vehicle packed with provocative ideas and all the excess of the 1980's Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 10/30/23 Full Review Darren D The Hidden (1987) is a lot of fun, think "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" but they decided to be noisy about it with loud music, stealing fast cars & a lot of blood spuibs. Mean & darkly comedic sci-fi action from the 80's. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 07/13/23 Full Review deanving13 This is a classic 80's Sci-fi. A hidden gem from a forgotten time. Great story and decently made for its time. Love the actors as well, they are an all-star 80's cast. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/25/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Hidden

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Cast & Crew

Alien Nation 53% 43% Alien Nation Communion 43% 46% Communion Cyborg 22% 31% Cyborg TRAILER for Cyborg The Puppet Masters 26% 33% The Puppet Masters The Fly II 33% 24% The Fly II Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis An FBI agent (Kyle MacLachlan) and a homicide detective (Michael Nouri) hunt the current human host of an orally exchanged alien life-form.
Director
Jack Sholder
Screenwriter
Jim Kouf
Production Co
New Line Cinema
Rating
R
Genre
Sci-Fi
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 30, 1987, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 1, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA)
$9.7M
Runtime
1h 36m
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