The Drifter

Year: 1988

Runtime: 89 mins

Language: English

ThrillerHorrorCrime

A suspenseful thriller follows a successful single woman who, on a barren highway, picks up an enigmatic hitchhiker. Back in the city, the stranger relentlessly tracks her, invading every aspect of her life. Her desperate attempts to escape his harassment only deepen the tension, culminating in a shocking, unforgettable climax.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – The Drifter (1988)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Drifter (1988). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Location

Los Angeles, San Francisco, Hillside Diner, Oki Dog, West Hollywood

The story unfolds across the Los Angeles area, with a significant leg up to San Francisco during a work trip that frames Julia's return home. Much of the action centers around the Hillside diner and the Oki Dog in West Hollywood, sites of tense exchanges and fateful glances. Nighttime rain-soaked streets amplify the tension as desire collides with fear in an urban setting.

🌆 Cityscape 🏙️ Urban vibes 🎨 Fashion district 🗺️ LA Nightlife

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:51

Main Characters – The Drifter (1988)

Meet the key characters of The Drifter (1988), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:51

Major Themes – The Drifter (1988)

Explore the central themes of The Drifter (1988), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:51

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Thrillers of Unsettling Obsession like The Drifter

Stories where a single encounter spirals into relentless, personal terror.For viewers who liked the relentless tension of The Drifter, this list features movies about dangerous obsessions and personal stalking. These films immerse you in a similar feeling of paranoia and inescapable threat, often starting from a simple, fateful encounter.

suspensefulparanoidunsettlingtenseclaustrophobicanxiousobsessive

Narrative Summary

The narrative typically begins with an otherwise ordinary protagonist whose life is shattered by a single, seemingly minor interaction with a charismatic or enigmatic stranger. This individual then fixates on them, methodically dismantling their sense of safety, privacy, and sanity through persistent stalking and psychological warfare. The plot escalates steadily towards a violent and inevitable confrontation.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared premise of a deeply personal and escalating threat. They create a specific, claustrophobic brand of suspense centered on obsession, making the danger feel intimate and inescapable rather than random or impersonal.

Dark Journeys with Hopeful Endings like The Drifter

Intensely bleak stories that surprisingly find light and redemption by the end.If you appreciated the intense, violent journey of The Drifter that resolved in a hopeful and romantic climax, explore these movies. They share a pattern of placing characters in extreme darkness, testing their survival, but ultimately granting them a meaningful and positive resolution.

violenttenseheavyhopefulredemptivecatharticromantic

Narrative Summary

Characters in these stories endure extreme psychological or physical trials, often involving trauma, violence, and loss. The plot is emotionally heavy and intensely stressful, pushing protagonists to their absolute limits. However, the narrative arc is defined by survival and recovery, culminating in an ending that provides clear catharsis, happiness, or a new beginning that feels earned.

Why These Movies?

These movies are united by a powerful emotional structure: they earn their hopeful endings by first putting characters and viewers through a harrowing experience. The contrast creates a unique and satisfying catharsis, offering relief and optimism after a sustained period of tension and dread.

Unlock the Full Story of The Drifter

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Drifter in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Drifter is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Drifter Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Drifter, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Drifter Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Drifter with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Drifter Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of The Drifter that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

More About The Drifter

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Drifter: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

Similar Movies to The Drifter

Discover movies like The Drifter that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.