Home » The Vanishing (1993) is a Vicious Psychological Thriller [The Rabid Dog’s House]

The Vanishing (1993) is a Vicious Psychological Thriller [The Rabid Dog’s House]

The Rabid Dog’s House is a recurring feature at Wicked Horror where contributor Justin Steele uncovers hidden gems, lost classics, and overlooked indie offerings with a little bite. Flying solo or with his co-host Zena Dixon, he will discuss an array of topics covering film, literature, and television. Check out the latest installment below. In this episode we’re looking back at 1993’s The Vanishing!

The Vanishing is directed by George Sluizer and follows Jeff (Kiefer Sutherland) and Diane (Sandra Bullock), a regular couple on a road trip. After a brief argument concerning running out of fuel, they soon make up in a gas station parking lot. Diane, however, seemingly vanishes after entering the store, and Jeff is left alone. His whole world is turned upside down searching for what has happened to Diane. He eventually meets Rita (Nancy Travis) and tries to start a new life, but his obsession finding Diane causes tension. Meanwhile, Barney Cousins (Jeff Bridges) is a man demonstrating disturbing behavior with a bottle of chloroform, an isolated cabin, and a suspicious family. The two worlds will soon collide, and Jeff will be forced to make a choice to move on with life or finally discover what happened to Diane.

Related: Obsession: Single White Female and The Roommate [The Rabid Dog’s House]

The Vanishing is a tense thriller that focuses on the point of views of everyone involved in the mystery. The suspense is derived from seeing how someone can create such a horrifying act while at the same time the foreboding dread from the victim’s perspective and how “not knowing” can be every bit as tortuous as the act, itself. Or is it? The Vanishing is for fans of horror that enjoy a thriller mystery and seeing how that mystery is crafted.

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Join Justin and Zena below as they discuss 1993’s The Vanishing!

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Written by Justin Steele
Justin Steele is a graduate of Bowling Green State University. His focus was the representation of women and minorities in contemporary media. In addition to writing, he hosts the 411popCulture channel on YouTube. He enjoys Rep Theatre and once performed on Broadway. He currently resides in Cleveland, Ohio with his 15-year-old cat. He is a die-hard horror fan with a particular affinity for slasher films.
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