Sombra en la carretera

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).

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.

"Eric Roberts and Lance Henriksen star in this intense psychological thriller about a businessman drawn into a bloody game of cat and mouse by a mysterious drifter. With the police searching for a serial killer on a murderous rampage, and a million dollars missing from a Las Vegas casino, both men have something sinister to hide. But as the lies are peeled away and their true nature is revealed, it becomes clear that one of them is a madman. The question is which one…" asks the DVD sleeve description.

Writer/director Victor Salva makes it like a psycho on wheels, with plenty of gay subtext. Picture "The Hitcher" with both driver and passenger playing psychopaths. Devilishly charismatic Mr. Roberts (as Adrian) was born to play this role, and a psychologically bent Mr. Henriksen (as Jack) matches him at most every turn. The production is inexpensive but effective; it keeps you either interested or riveted, but fails, in the end, to tie its interesting threads together. And, Henriksen's girth was unnecessary.

******* The Nature of the Beast (10/24/95) Victor Salva ~ Lance Henriksen, Eric Roberts, Brion James, Sasha Jenson

Possibly the only people who saw this movie are the ones who posted user comments, which is too bad. I wouldnt say it was one of the best movies ever made, and I wouldnt call it a piece of c**p either. This movie seemed to be made for people who appreciate second banana actors, and it was done pretty well in my opinion. Anyone who has stayed up late at night watching cable should be familiar with Eric and Lance. Lance is one of my favorite actors, and this was one of those movies that stand out in my mind when I think of his work. The ending was great. I dont want to give anything away, but...that pretty much made the movie for me. I think if this movie went mainstream with bigger named actors...like..I dont know, Brad Pitt and Edward Norton, this would have been a hit. Instead, its doomed to be one of those movies that you see when you want to see something else, and its too bad, because as it is, it should be one that you want to watch. After checking for DVD availability for over a year now, I've come to the conclusion that this movie will never get a fair chance. Thats too bad, because its a good movie, and most people wont even know it was ever made.

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.