The sun beats down on the French countryside as Rex and Saskia, wind down long stretch on their vacation. A playful bickering fills their car, soon they stops at a bustling service station. Saskia, ventures inside for refreshments, marking two crosses on a map to symbolize a game they play. Rex idles, a growing unease prickling his skin as minutes turn into an hour, then more. Saskia never returns. Three years pass, the vibrant landscapes of their holiday now cast in a melancholic gray for Rex Hofman. Haunted, he obsessively revisits the service station, plastering “Have you seen her?” posters with Saskia’s smiling face, desperate for any clue. Then, the letters begin. Cryptic messages promising answers, signed by a man named Raymond Lemorne. He toys with Rex, offering a glimpse into the abyss, a chance to understand what happened to Saskia, but at what cost? The obsession becomes all consuming drawing in Lieneke, Rex’s girlfriend.
Movie Overview
| Title | The Vanishing |
|---|---|
| Release Date | 1988-10-27 |
| Runtime | 106 minutes |
| Genre | Thriller, Mystery |
Movie Cast
| Name | Character |
|---|---|
| Bernard-Pierre Donnadieu | Raymond Lemorne |
| Gene Bervoets | Rex Hofman |
| Johanna ter Steege | Saskia Wagter |
| Gwen Eckhaus | Lieneke |
| Pierre Forget | Farmer Laurent |
| Bernadette Le Saché | Simone Lemorne |
| Tania Latarjet | Denise Lemorne |
| Lucille Glenn | Gabrielle Lemorne |
| Roger Souza | Manager (uncredited) |
| Caroline Appéré | Cashier (uncredited) |
| Didier Rousset | TV Journalist (uncredited) |
Storyline
The idyllic road trip of Rex Hofman and Saskia Wagter through the French countryside takes a dark turn when they stop at a bustling service station. A seemingly ordinary stop becomes a nightmare as Saskia vanishes without a trace, leaving Rex consumed by grief and a gnawing uncertainty. Three years pass, filled with fruitless searches and fading hope, when Rex receives cryptic letters hinting at the identity of the abductor. Driven by a desperate need for closure, Rex embarks on a perilous quest, retracing their steps, haunted by memories of Saskia and their shared dreams. His relentless pursuit leads him to Raymond Lemorne, a seemingly unassuming chemistry teacher with a chilling secret and a disturbing fascination with orchestrating the perfect crime. Lemorne, a meticulous planner, toys with Rex, offering him a glimpse into Saskia’s fate, but only if Rex is willing to experience the same ordeal. Driven to the edge, Rex accepts Lemorne’s sinister proposition, entering a terrifying game of cat and mouse where the line between victim and accomplice blurs. Lieneke, Rex’s new girlfriend, watches helplessly as Rex descends further into obsession, jeopardizing his own life in his unwavering pursuit of the truth behind Saskia’s disappearance, leading to a chilling climax where Rex confronts the horrifying reality, trapped in Lemorne’s meticulously crafted nightmare.
Details
In George Sluizer’s chilling thriller, *The Vanishing*, a Dutch couple’s idyllic vacation turns into a haunting nightmare when Saskia Wagter, portrayed by Johanna ter Steege, mysteriously disappears from a bustling French service station. Her distraught boyfriend, Rex Hofman, played by Gene Bervoets, becomes consumed by an obsessive three-year search for her, clinging to the hope of uncovering the truth behind her sudden vanishing. As Rex relentlessly pursues every lead, he begins receiving cryptic letters from the abductor, leading him down a perilous path where obsession blurs the lines between sanity and self-destruction. The audience is introduced to Raymond Lemorne, chillingly embodied by Bernard-Pierre Donnadieu, a seemingly ordinary chemistry professor with a dark secret and a meticulously planned crime. Driven by a desire to prove his capacity for evil, Raymond’s cold and calculated actions send ripples of fear and suspense throughout the film. Rex’s unwavering determination to find Saskia ultimately leads him into a dangerous game with Raymond, forcing him to confront the horrifying reality of her fate. The film explores the themes of obsession, the nature of evil, and the psychological toll of unanswered questions. As Rex delves deeper into the mystery, aided by his new girlfriend, Lieneke portrayed by Gwen Eckhaus, the suspense builds to a shocking and unforgettable climax that questions the very nature of closure and the lengths one will go to for the truth.
FAQs
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What is the movie “The Vanishing” about?
The Vanishing is a thriller about Rex and Saskia, a couple on vacation. Saskia disappears from a service station, and Rex spends years searching for her, eventually receiving letters from her abductor.
What genres does “The Vanishing” fall into?
The Vanishing is primarily a Thriller and Mystery film.
Who directed “The Vanishing”?
The movie was directed by George Sluizer.
Who are the main actors in “The Vanishing”?
The main actors are Bernard-Pierre Donnadieu, Gene Bervoets, and Johanna ter Steege.
When was “The Vanishing” released?
The movie was released on October 27, 1988.
What is the original language of “The Vanishing”?
The original language of the film is Dutch (Nederlands).
What countries produced “The Vanishing”?
The movie was produced in France, Germany, and the Netherlands.
Is “The Vanishing” based on a book?
Yes, it’s based on the novel written by Tim Krabbé, who also co-wrote the screenplay.
What is the runtime of “The Vanishing”?
The movie has a runtime of 106 minutes.
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