IF ever there s ever a film that portrays the pitfalls of welcoming roadside hitchhikers into your car it s The Hitcher. While on a road trip, a student couple, Jim Halsey (Zachery Knighton) and Grace Andrews (Sophia Bush), are cajoled into giving a stra

IF ever there's ever a film that portrays the pitfalls of welcoming roadside hitchhikers into your car it's The Hitcher.

While on a road trip, a student couple, Jim Halsey (Zachery Knighton) and Grace Andrews (Sophia Bush), are cajoled into giving a stranger, John Ryder (Sean Bean) a lift.

However, this stranger is no run-of-the-mill traveller, he's actually a psychopathic killer that has spent a life time slashing unsuspecting victims.

In his feature directional debut, Dave Meyers creates a thriller, which is an update of the 1986 film of the same name that starred Rutger Hauer.

The story tracks Grace and Jim's terrifying journey, and their torment at the hands of a mysterious hitchhiker who turns their pleasure trip into a living nightmare.

At first they manage to swerve the hitcher's attentions by abandoning him at the side of the road.

But when he catches up with them at a roadside convenience store, Jim feels guilty and stupidly offers him a ride, despite his girlfriend's misgivings.

After some banal chit-chat, Ryder predictably pulls out his knife and then the fun really begins.

They manage to give him the slip once more after forcing him out the car; but like an aborigine's boomerang he seems to always come back.

It also appears that they are not the only ones he's targeted, because Ryder has left a trail of bodies along the bypass.

He's also managed to implicate Grace and Jim into his rampage so not only do they have to run from him, but also the New Mexico State Police department.

Meyer does well to elevate this B movie-slasher into a capable character thriller with an abundance of psychological fear, suspense and tension.

However, the film's logic and believability still leave a lot to be desired - and the shocks are sometimes too predictable.

Sean Bean, who reprises the Rutger Hauer role, holds The Hitcher together, and his intelligence as an actor probably deserves better material to show his talent.

Sophia Bush and Zachary Knighton's performances also merit a mention as the believable young couple running for their lives.

This remake may not offer a lot that's new and original, but it will make you jump, and never want to pick up a stranger - although I'm sure they'll be a few female viewers more than happy to see Sean Bean standing on the kerb.