Bad Heat - Highway des Todes

+There May be Spoilers+ There's a serial killer on the loose striking motorists on the desert highway between Nevada and California. In this violent setting two men meet up as if it were by fate. One a paper goods salesman from Las Vegas Jack Powell, Lance Henriksen, and one a drifter Adrian, Eric Roberts, from God's only knows where and you sense right away that one is the murderer but which one is he?

Suspenseful movie about murder and madness that goes the whole nine yards and even more in shocking the living hell out of the audience. The scene towards the end of the movie between Jack Powell and Sheriff Gordon, Brion James and his deputy Little David Brewer, Tom Tarntini, outside Powell's cabin is so electrifying charged and nail biting that it had me want to turn off the VCR because my nerves just about had it from the almost unbearable tension watching it.

There is admittedly some uneven scenes in the film but overall they don't take anything away from the jolts in it that in some cases leaves you paralyzed from shock. The ending is a bit confusing but it's just for that very reason that make it so effective. Nothing in the movie seems to be what you think that it is even the murderer.

Solid performances by the two top stars Lance Henriksen & Eric Roberts who despite the very capable supporting cast carry the movie all by themselves.

I first saw this in the late 90s on a vhs.

Revisited it today.

The creepy n vile Victor Salva gave some of the creepiest movies (ClownHouse, Jeepers Creepers n this one).

The best part about this movie is the character development n the twist.

While the focus is more on the two main leads, Eric Roberts (fresh after The Specialist) n the veteran Lance Henricksen (fresh aft Hard Target n The Quick n the Dead).

Sadly both went towards the stupid direct-to-video movies. This one too is a direct to video but far superior to the others.

Watch out for Brion James in a tiny role. I remember him more frm the episode Split Second from Tales from the Crypt.

Even more tinier role is that of Lin Shaye.

Fans of Road Movies will definitely enjoy this.

Some of my fav road movie thrillers: Detour, Desperate, The Devil Thumbs a Ride, The Hitch-Hiker, They Live by Night, Gun Crazy, The Hitcher, Delusion, Red Rock West, Joy Ride (my all time fav), Duel, Highwaymen, Breakdown, Death proof, Riding the Bullet, Roadgames 1981, Jeepers Creepers, WindChill, Alone, From Dusk till Dawn, Zombieland, Dead End, Road Games 2015, etc.

I first watched 'Nature Of The Beast' about six years ago and was impressed by it. A second viewing yesterday confirmed my opinion, though my enjoyment was slightly lessened as the twist ending was obviously no longer a surprise. I can't see why this movie hasn't received more attention. Perhaps because the two leads Eric Roberts ('Runaway Train', 'The Immortals') and Lance Henriksen ('Near Dark', 'The Quick And The Dead'), both great favourites of mine, have made way too many stupid action direct-to-video movies and people just think this one is more of the same. It isn't, it's much better than that. Roberts and Henriksen both excel in this tense and unpredictable road movie. I don't want to give much away as the less you know before you watch it the more you will get out of it. Sure it's a cheesy b-grade thriller, but it's a superior example of the genre. Director Victor Salva went on to make 'Jeepers Creepers', a movie I haven't seen at the time of writing this. Hopefully the success of that movie will create some interest in his previous efforts, especially this one.

Oh, and if you're a Brion James ('Blade Runner', 'Crimewave') fan like myself, be warned, he doesn't appear until towards the end, and only for one scene. Despite third billing it's nothing more than a cameo.

well, despite some scathing reviews on here, i loved it. it's got some glorious tension building, and although the ending is scrappy, the exploration of morality between the two characters, and what their lives are built on gives a lot of energy to that tension, and to the ending. some bits could have been handled better, but the portrayal of Henriksen as the "loser" character (was that paunch fake anyone know?) is wonderful, a real Homer. right up til the end.

watching it for the second time to re-evaluate the relationship between the two bears up too, now you know what they and you know.

watch it, it's worth it. Henriksen at a high point.

We often forget the script is what it's all about. Throw in a couple of Hollwood-veterans and some good shooting and you get a real cracker. The script is so well though-out you never imagine the ending. It's amazing! It's one of these rare cases where you get an American film (a TV-production no less!!) with a totally unpredictable conclusion. The acting is top-notch and beats anything out there, very powerful. The scenes are often mystical and nocturnal, the only qualm I would have is that there was plenty of space for extra creative camera-work, just to heighten the suspense even further. If a remake of this was done by a more revolutionary director (e.g. Michael Mann), this could definitely account for a new Hollywood blockbuster (and no doubt keeping the two main actors as well).