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The Car
1977 96 min United States of America PG 16+
★5.5
Horror, Action, Thriller, Mystery
Director: Elliot Silverstein
Trailers
EN
EN
Description
The Utah community of Santa Ynez is being terrorized by a mysterious black coupe that appears out of nowhere and begins running people down. After the car kills off the town sheriff, Captain Wade Parent is determined to stop the murderous driver.
Starring
James Brolin
Actor
Kathleen Lloyd
Actor
John Marley
Actor
Key opinion
The Car (1977) is frequently compared to Spielberg's Duel, functioning as a cult-status mystical thriller that relies more on atmosphere than complex narrative. While opinions vary on the film's lasting quality and pacing, it is widely recognized for its iconic antagonist vehicle and impressive practical stunt work.
| Production | The custom-modified Lincoln Continental effectively serves as a menacing, iconic antagonist that anchors the film's atmospheric dread. | |
| Direction | The practical stunt work, particularly the vehicle-based maneuvers and crashes, remains a technical highlight for many viewers. | |
| Score | The musical score and sound design are widely cited for successfully heightening the suspense and sense of mystery. | |
| Acting | James Brolin’s performance as the sheriff is seen by many as a steady and solid contribution to an otherwise straightforward genre piece. | |
| Screenplay | The narrative is divisive; some appreciate its simple, classic thriller structure, while others find it lacking in depth, originality, and psychological complexity. | |
| Ending | The ending is a point of contention, with some viewers finding the resolution unsatisfying or poorly executed while others enjoy its mystical ambiguity. |