The Vanishing
1988
Directed by George Sluizer
And this is why you never help a stranger who claims to have a disability, as they are most likely a serial killer. Even if you see me hobbling around with my crutches. In fact, you should probably trip me, just to be safe.
Rex and Saskia are on vacation in France when they stop at a gas station for drinks. Saskia disappears without a trace and Rex becomes obsessed with finding out what happened to her, even if the truth would be impossible to live with.
This isn't the fun kind of horror film that is far removed from our reality. It's not a story I wanted to hear, which makes me the polar opposite of Rex, who cares more about knowing what happened than anything. It reminded me of the book The Collector; its purpose was to disturb, rather than provide jump scares and bloody deaths.
Not a film that I enjoyed, or would even recommend, but it is undoubtedly effective.
RATING: ***--
Interesting Facts:
Remade in English in 1993.
This is one of those great, obscure films that first gave me confidence in the 'accuracy' of the 1,001 list when I originally got the book and found it was included
ReplyDeleteApparently re-made in Hollywood with Sandra Bullock and an alternative ending. *sigh*
Oh wow I knew it was remade but I didn't know Sandra Bullock was in it. Yikes.
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