L'alieno

This movie is extremely well-made for what it is. Fascinating, thought-provoking, it surprised the Hell out of me when I first saw it. This could have been a "gimmick" sci-fi movie, but it's handled deftly by the director, who I had never heard of, and by MacLachlan, who gives a terrific, sensitive, multi-layered performance.

For that matter, most of characters have real dimension to them. This movie transcends a rather bland, run-of-the-mill science fiction story with the chemistry between its characters and the snappy pacing. I like the way the themes of identity and compassion are actually explored instead of just exploited.

One of the coolest and most intense sci-fi movies I've ever seen. True, the body count is high, but it's kind of tongue-in-cheek if you actually pay attention to the movie. After watching it a number of times, I discovered that there appears to be a visual body count tally included on the screen. Five kills in the first killing scene - camera shows it took place on fifth street. There's an elevator scene in which the floor selected indicates the latest current count. Some are pretty subtle, you have to notice the time on the clock or maybe a hospital room number or something like that, but look for a number to appear after each killing or series of killings, and you'll find it. There are quite a few correlating numbers that are just too obvious and too frequent to be coincidental. Check it out.

The Hidden is an unknown gem of a movie. That it's sci-fi probably kept its popularity down, but it's one of the best sci-fi films ever.

Michael Nouri proves once again that he deserves every leading man role he gets, and the ever quirky Kyle MacLachlan is at the top of his weird form.

Highly recommended for an evening of unexpected fun.

In the few comments I read about this movie, everyone keeps saying it's too bad Jack Sholder didn't make more good ones like this. Perhaps he didn't have as good a script as this one had!

I haven't seen Sholder's other work, at least I don't think I have as I haven't looked at his credits, but it would seem that the script by Jim Kouf may have had something to do with THE HIDDEN being a quality movie? After all, Sholder's name doesn't appear as the writer!!!!

And it's always been said that a good director can make a terrific movie with a good script, because it inspires him/her, but not even a good director can make something from a bad script.

I liked this movie when i first saw it and every time it's on I try and catch what I can of it.

Someone also said this is a "leave your brain at the door" type movie. I don't think so because this movie lets you guess what's happening without explaining everything or hitting you over the head with superfluous dialogue; it doesn't insult your intelligence, and I thank both the writer and director for that.

Law abiding persons start commiting heinous crimes. Two cops are on the case, trying to solve the mystery.

The Hidden is one of the lesser known sci-fi films from the 80s that has gained cult following over the last 30 years and the reason is quite apparent. It is violent, thrilling and quite fun.

Recommended.