"The Hidden" Reviews/Discussion - 2023 Horror Challenge
#1
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"The Hidden" Reviews/Discussion - 2023 Horror Challenge
The Hidden (1987) ![]() Selected by tarfrimmer |
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These "October Horror Movie Challenge" threads are for the discussion of the films in the 31 FILM SUBSET list.
The plan is for everyone to watch this film on the October day in the thread title, and to start discussing it the morning of the following day.
You may start discussion early if you want, but the preferred plan is for this to be as much of a group exercise as possible, with all of us viewing it "together" and discussing after.
Of course, you are totally encouraged to participate in these threads even if you haven't watched the movie on the designated day.
Even if you haven't watched it in years, or are not participating in the Horror Challenge, please feel free to chime in.
Spoiler tags aren't always used in here, so if you have yet to see the film BEWARE OF POSSIBLE SPOILERS.
______________________________
These "October Horror Movie Challenge" threads are for the discussion of the films in the 31 FILM SUBSET list.
The plan is for everyone to watch this film on the October day in the thread title, and to start discussing it the morning of the following day.
You may start discussion early if you want, but the preferred plan is for this to be as much of a group exercise as possible, with all of us viewing it "together" and discussing after.
Of course, you are totally encouraged to participate in these threads even if you haven't watched the movie on the designated day.
Even if you haven't watched it in years, or are not participating in the Horror Challenge, please feel free to chime in.
Spoiler tags aren't always used in here, so if you have yet to see the film BEWARE OF POSSIBLE SPOILERS.
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#2
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Re: "The Hidden" Reviews/Discussion - 2023 Horror Challenge
It has really been a while since I've watched this, and I must say that I enjoyed it a lot more this time. I didn't dislike it before, but I just enjoyed the mayhem and all the practical effects a lot more. McLachlan iargely feels like he's doing a variation of what would become Agent Cooper. Hard to believe this is before that.
I largely associated this movie with its soundtrack for a long time. I can't seem to remember if it is the soundtrack itself that I'm thinking of that I used to see in stores or if it was a video that MTV used to play a lot. Maybe both? I just know I knew of this film well before I ever saw it because of that.
I largely associated this movie with its soundtrack for a long time. I can't seem to remember if it is the soundtrack itself that I'm thinking of that I used to see in stores or if it was a video that MTV used to play a lot. Maybe both? I just know I knew of this film well before I ever saw it because of that.
#3
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Re: "The Hidden" Reviews/Discussion - 2023 Horror Challenge
Man, I haven't seen this movie in quite a while, but it was a blast! It really should get mentioned more often in the great 80's horror movies conversations.
Holy shit this movie is filled with character actors and familiar faces. I won't got into naming them all but basically you know the face of almost everyone that has a scene in this movie. It's pretty amazing.
The practical effects are great and creepy! Not much to complain about with this flick. Gets to the point quickly and stays on it. Probably the best buddy cop horror movie you will ever see.
My rating: **** out of *****
Holy shit this movie is filled with character actors and familiar faces. I won't got into naming them all but basically you know the face of almost everyone that has a scene in this movie. It's pretty amazing.
The practical effects are great and creepy! Not much to complain about with this flick. Gets to the point quickly and stays on it. Probably the best buddy cop horror movie you will ever see.

My rating: **** out of *****
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Toby Dramit (10-28-23)
#4
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Re: "The Hidden" Reviews/Discussion - 2023 Horror Challenge
The real parasite is the lust and envy of capitalism. Its a good film and Im surprised I havent seen it before. Any movie that starts with the gunfire of a bank robbery is alright by me. Kyle Machlachlan tips his hand a bit early with the super predictable 'twist' but what a great slant on buddy comedy tropes. I liked how it toyed with us showing the detective's wife and daughter to humanize him and seem to suggest they would be body snatched - which was a great setup to a brilliant conclusion. The Hidden walks through 80s excess challenging us to be thrilled by glut associated with the parasitic. Its a puzzle that the fiend didnt take over a sexy woman sooner but maybe therein lies more of the commentary, that the real power is with the old white guys. Why it is always a dog being killed? Bad timing little guy. Ed Oross (Willis) is a recognizable enough actor and the way the camera seemed to leer over him in foreshadowing was nice.
Despite being a fun crazy horror movie it's themes seem a little heavy handed.
What a random Danny Trejo cameo.
Despite being a fun crazy horror movie it's themes seem a little heavy handed.
What a random Danny Trejo cameo.
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Re: "The Hidden" Reviews/Discussion - 2023 Horror Challenge
What a great movie. I've had the blu for a long time, but have never seen the movie. That Warner Archive cover is just baffling.
Agree that the practical effects were pretty good. That slug monster being transferred to another was really very cool.
I don't think I've ever seen Trejo in an earlier role. He sure was young!
Agree that the practical effects were pretty good. That slug monster being transferred to another was really very cool.
I don't think I've ever seen Trejo in an earlier role. He sure was young!
Last edited by WillieMLF; 10-30-23 at 08:41 AM.
#6
Challenge Guru & Comic Nerd
Re: "The Hidden" Reviews/Discussion - 2023 Horror Challenge
This is one of my favorite films. For a pretty much B monster movie, it’s very well written with some snappy dialogue and great acting. Really need to upgrade my DVD someday. Enjoyed it with the commentary this time.
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Re: "The Hidden" Reviews/Discussion - 2023 Horror Challenge
I just rewatched this about 6 months ago, but I still enjoyed watching it again. I love it. Kyle MacLachlan is wonderful in this, and the whole body-hopping alien premise is so fun. "I want to be president." lol. I can imagine how fun it would be to see that alien actually campaign. Though, honesty, he probably would be about as intelligent as many politicians we currently have.
It's remarkable that you can really see the alien in all the incarnations. The actors did a great job with that. The stripper is my fav.
The ending is perfect. Daw!
It's remarkable that you can really see the alien in all the incarnations. The actors did a great job with that. The stripper is my fav.
The ending is perfect. Daw!