Bad Company: Maus Companheiros

What I have to say is merely a repetition of what the other users said before:the two leads literally save the movie from absolute mediocrity.They are so good,their performances are so intense that they are to be commended for transcending the limitations they are working under .The script writers ,in order to make sure the audience understands they have been watching a "deep" "meaningful" work call Jeremiah (and the Bible) to the rescue,but it's too little too late.

This is the well known mix road movie/"there's a killer on the road" (as Jim Morrison used to sing),and even a child could guess who he is.But the film deserves a look ,weren't it only for the way two first-class actors can redeem abysmal scripts.

Although underrated, "The Nature of The Beast" is a very good thriller. Its tense and bleak atmosphere keeps you in a nail-biting state throughout the film, with its best part being its end, when a brilliant plot twist really brings everything upside down.

The story begins with Jack (Henriksen), a typical, middle-class executive on a business travel, who bumps onto a murder scene; the policemen in charge advise him to be careful on his way, as there is a serial killer in the area hitch-hiking for his next victim. Keeping this advice in mind, he avoids somebody he encounters who asks for a lift; unfortunately, he is not so lucky, as he soon finds the guy in a diner some kilometers ahead. The guy loses no time to introduce himself as Andrian (Roberts), and he soon becomes a thorn on Jack's side, who in turn realizes that it will be very difficult to get away from this menace...

Featuring two great performances, the movie is virtually a two-man show: Both Roberts and Henriksen are really great in their roles, and it would not be an exaggeration to say that the film's value is based on them. The other characters have short appearances which simply supplement the duo.

A film worth having a look. 7/10.

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.

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.

"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