The Vanishing (Spoorloos) (1988)

I'm always wary when it comes to films with such massive hype, but i gotta say, this deserved it. As do all good European thrillers, The Vanishing plays it low-key and subtle, steadily building up the eerie tone. I particularly enjoyed the attention given to the film's villain, as opposed what could have been some over-melodramatic pulp we tend to get with similar films. Although I wouldn't consider this a mind-bender, this is certainly not your average kidnap/search thriller...

Although starting to look a bit dated, this psychological thriller set the bar for shock endings. I remember walking out of the cinema when I saw it for the first time and everyone was in shell shock. As for today's viewer, if you don't bat an eyelid at Saw and gorefests like Hostel - then this will probably seem very tame. Regardless the storyline is still pretty novel. If you can empathize with what lengths someone involved in a kidnapping could go to find their loved one - Then this movie will entertain and keep you on the edge of the seat. 3 1/2 stars.

I remember the first time I watched the "gimp" scene in Pulp Fiction, being totally sucker-punched by that film's sudden change in direction. I had a similar feeling watching this film. I didn't really know anything about it before watching it, and it does start off a bit slow. We watch from the point of view of both the killer and the victim. Most of the film is a well-crafted, slow-burning thriller, but the last 10 minutes just blew me away. It's probably not a good idea to watch this late at night, as you'll probably end up getting very little sleep!

This is very well done and very well acted. The ending, well all I can say is that it freaked me out. Enjoy!

Very disappointed - this movie was highly rated by other members and on the IMDB so we were expecting a good movie - unfortunately this wasn't the case - we must have missed something because this movie was fairly amateurish.

Very poor, horribly predictable ending

A brilliant, intricate and multilayered dutch classic. Whilst the twist is the draw card of the film, it's true gem is the performance from Bernard-Pierre Donnadieu, as the 'villain.' Highly recommended.

Disturbingly scarey! A very good film.

This version is my preferred version. The director had to remake this one for the American audience and while the Jeff Bridges version is good, this original is far more nail biting and gripping.

A gripping story . Gave insight into the variety or depth of psychiatric disorder / psychosis. thought the sequencing of the events was well done , disappointed with the ending. I too was "sucked in" by the protagonist!

The ending will completely do your head in.

Truly spooky movie - much better than the Hollywood ripoff. Leaves you feeling very uneasy.