Main Cast: Michael Nouri, Kyle MacLachlan, Ed O'Ross, Clu Gulager, Claudia Christian
Release Year: 1987
Country: US
Run Time: 96 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Plot
A cop discovers that there's something unusual about his new partner in this unusual sci-fi thriller. A seemingly well-mannered stock broker one day snaps, robbing a bank, stealing a Ferrari, and driving straight into a police barricade without any thought for his own safety, and he's mowed down by a hail of bullets. The detective assigned to the case, Tom Beck (Michael Nouri), thinks that he notices a strange look in the eye of the thief, but when FBI agent Lloyd Gallagher (Kyle MacLachlan) informs Tom that he's also been assigned to the case, he thinks that he sees the same curious look in Lloyd's eyes as well. Lloyd also has an odd way of carrying himself, as if he's not entirely in control of his own body, and in time, Tom discovers what the two men have in common -- both are actually aliens from another planet. They are creatures from another world capable of entering a human (or animal) body at will and using it as a vessel as long as they need. When the stockbroker died, the rogue alien simply crept into another body to begin his crime spree all over again. Lloyd has been sent to Earth to bring the thief's reign of terror to a halt and has taken over the body of an FBI agent with that in mind. A major cult favorite, The Hidden also features Clu Gulager, Ed O'Ross, and Claudia Christian. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Review
A cult hit that's an enormous amount of fun considering its low-budget B-picture roots, this hybrid of horror, action, crime drama, and science fiction is one of the better films from genre director Jack Sholder. Wisely, the events depicted are presented in decidedly tongue-in-cheek fashion from a cast and creative team having loads of fun with the freak-out concept. Kyle MacLachlan is a particular cast standout, portraying his alien-infested FBI agent as rigidly controlled and extremely efficient, even uptight, a canny choice that rings oddly true. The special effects are sometimes impressive and sometimes goofy, but in the latter circumstances all involved play up the schlock value to maximum effect with delightfully funny, entertainingly gross-out results. Briskly paced and with plenty of gallows humor to alleviate the shocks and scares, The Hidden (1987) is a fun little picture that makes a fine companion piece to the next year's equally underrated Alien Nation (1988). ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
Clarence Felder - John Masterson; William Boyett - Jonathan Miller; Richard Brooks - Sanchez; Larry Cedar - Drew; John McCann - Senator Holt; Chris Mulkey - Jack Devries; Deke Anderson - Roadblock Cop; Joey Aresco - Woodfield; Wren T. Brown - Patrolman; Katherine Cannon - Barbara Beck; Doug Collins - Agent Sardi; Duane Davis - Eddie; Rick Diamond - Paramedic; Steve Eastin - Agent Stadt; Jason Edwards - Adler; Loren Haynes - Cop with Aspirin; Lew Hopson - Jail Escort; Jeff Levine - Drunk's Friend; Rick Lieberman - Dr. Glass; James Luisi - Ferrari Salesman; Jack McGee - Bartender; Buckley Norris - Reporter; Joe Perce - Coroner; Mark Phelan - Fielding; Whitney Reis - Liz; Frank Renzulli - Michael Buckley; Branscombe Richmond - Roberts; Joey Sagal - Drunk; Lin Shaye - Carol Miller; Danny Trejo - Prisoner; Joe Whipp - Dr. Rogers; Michael Yama - Sketch Artist; Richard Whitaker - Plainclothesman; Ted White - Agent Fowler; Alan Marcus - Cop in Hotel; Mary Petrie - TV Reporter; Charlie Skeen - Agent Graves; Judy Kerr - Waitress; Robert Brown - Agent Bach
Credit
Annette Benson - Casting, Malissa Daniel - Costume Designer, Jack Sholder - Director, Michael Knue - Editor, Denny Harris - Executive Producer, Michael Convertino - Composer (Music Score), C.J. Strawn - Production Designer, Mick Strawn - Production Designer, Jacques Haitkin - Cinematographer, Michael Meltzer - Producer, Gerald T. Olson - Producer, Robert Shaye - Producer, Mick Strawn - Producer, James R. Barrows - Set Designer, Greg P. Russell - Sound/Sound Designer, Bob Hunt - Screenwriter, M. James Kouf Jr. - Screenwriter
This film received a MPAA rating of R, and was filmed in color with mono sound. The DVD version was remastered in Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound. At the time it was released it was an independent film and had been produced for less than US$5 million. A sequel, The Hidden II, directed by Seth Pinsker was released in 1994.
A murderous creature from outer space arrives on Earth and begins to inhabit human bodies, using them as hosts so that it can move around. The creature likes to commit violent crimes, such as armed robbery and carjacking, and is willing to kill anyone that gets in its way, including children and law enforcement officers. It also seems to enjoy driving fast exotic cars at reckless speeds and listen to loud heavy metal music, which leads to a confrontation with the police after it commits a bank robbery, killing 5 guards at the bank, and mowing down 2 civilians whilst trying to escape. The police officer in charge of the investigation, Sgt. Thomas Beck (Nouri), is baffled when the suspect will not fall after being wounded several times in a shoot-out. In the process the creature uses up its human host body (Chris Mulkey), leaving a corpse, and eventually moves on to its next victim while its host dies in the hospital after the shoot-out with the police. This creature commits a series of murders in Los Angeles while jumping from body to body, leaving the police department perplexed. Arriving on the scene is FBI agent Lloyd Gallagher (MacLachlan), who is actually an alien policeman that was sent to Earth to recapture, or destroy the parasitic murderer.
Jack Sholder won the Grand Prize at the Avoriaz Fantastic Film Festival in 1988.
Jack Sholder won Best Director at Fantasporto in 1988. It was also nominated for Best Film at that festival.
Michael Nouri won Best Actor at the Catalonian International Film Festival in 1987. Jack Sholder took Prize of the International Critics’ Jury at the same festival.
At the 1988 Saturn Awards, Michael Nouri was nominated for Best Actor, Jack Sholder was nominated for Best Director, Jim Kouf was nominated for best writing, and The Hidden was nominated for best film.
