The Hidden **** (1987, Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Nouri, Claudia Christian) – Classic Movie Review 8996

Kyle MacLachlan stars in The Hidden (1987).

Director Jack Sholder’s 1987 action, crime, horror movie The Hidden is an enlivening, surprisingly well made alien possession sci-fi thriller. Kyle MacLachlan is ideally cast as a good alien peacekeeper posing as an FBI agent, who helps nice cop Michael Nouri battle an intelligent evil alien parasite like a huge slug. This creature is into body snatching and takes over and lives in the bodies of a number of respectable Los Angeles humans and turns them into killer criminals.

Despite the Z-grade premise, this is an A-class movie, with sparky performances, a witty screenplay, an eerie atmosphere and taut direction.

Excellent of its schlocky kind, The Hidden keeps up nail-biting, edge-of-seat tension throughout, is imaginative and entertaining, and repays several viewings.

It is adult material, with considerable violence and strong language.

Writer Kim Kouf is credited as Bob Hunt.

Also in the cast are Claudia Christian, Ed O’Ross, Clarence Felder, Clu Gulager, William Boyett, Richard Brooks, Katherine Cannon, Kristen Clayton, John McCann, Lin Shaye, Larry Cedar, Chris Mulkey, James Luisi, Frank Renzulli, Duane Davis and Whitney Reis.

The Hidden is directed by Jack Sholder, runs 97 minutes, is made by New Line Cinema, Heron Communications and Mega Entertainment, is released by New Line Cinema (1987) (US) and Palace Pictures (1988) (UK), is written by Kim Kouf [Bob Hunt], is shot by Jacques Haitkin, is produced by Robert Shaye, Michael T Meltzer and Gerald T Olson, is scored by Michael Convertino and is designed by C J Strawn and Mick Strawn.

Sequel: The Hidden II in 1994, with a different cast.

© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 8996

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