(1987) ***A homicidal alien parasite is on the loose. It possesses each body until it can no longer sustain life then jumps to the next one. This makes it nearly impossible to track as the police are chasing individuals instead of one alien being in disguise. FBI agent Lloyd Gallagher(Kyle MacLachlan) arrives and seems to know what is going on but refuses to disclose his information to the local police. He and police Sgt. Tom Beck(Michael Nouri) team up to stop the killing spree. Lloyd explains that the criminal they are chasing killed his family. Tom is leery of Lloyd since each time they catch up to a perpetrator their dead and the pursuit changes to different person. Tiring of Lloyd's vagueness, Tom has him arrested. Soon after all hell breaks loose and Tom looks to Lloyd for answers. What he learns is more outrageous then he could ever have imagined.
After seeing the sub standard Afterdark Horrorfest film Hidden, I was reminded of this film I had seen back in the '80's. Although The Hidden is dated in many ways it still retains it's edge. The creature resembles a giant slug with spider leg tentacles. The violence is abundant and the pace is fast and furious. The frustration conveyed by both the police sgt. and the FBI agent causes added tension to the already tense situation. While not a particularly scary film, The Hidden has a solid story and plenty of excitement to keep your interest. Viewing this again after more than 20 years I can honestly say I wasn't disappointed, that alone is pretty impressive.
