The Vanishing

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The Vanishing

1990

1h 46m

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

96%

Tomatometer

51 Reviews

88%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

Rex (Gene Bervoets) and Saskia (Johanna Ter Steege) are enjoying a biking holiday in France when, stopping at a gas station, Saskia disappears. Confounded, Rex searches everywhere, but to no avail. Three years later, he's still obsessed with finding her, pleading his case on television, putting up posters and ruining his new relationship in the process. Eventually an unassuming chemistry teacher, Raymond (Bernard-Pierre Donnadieu), approaches Rex, intimating that he knows what happened.

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Critics Consensus

A clinical, maddening descent into the mind of a serial killer and a slowly unraveling hero, culminating with one of the scariest endings of all time.

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Richard Brody

The New Yorker

10/30/2020

Sluizer isn't among the more original stylists, but the literalness of his direction suffices to evoke the horrific and monstrous possibilities lurking behind the façades of ordinary life.

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Christy Lemire

ChristyLemire.com

08/20/2018

3.5/4

It's an elegant, riveting piece of filmmaking.

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Michael Wilmington

Los Angeles Times

10/19/2016

The appalling, horrific climax of The Vanishing will haunt your mind long after this film is over.

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Sarah Boslaugh

TheArtsStl

Mar 8

8/10

Saskia has about eight minutes of screen time total but creates an indelible impression during that limited exposure.

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Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

08/04/2023

A film that is literally blood chilling. [Full review in Spanish]

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Brian Susbielles

InSession Film

02/22/2023

The ending itself fulfills its pledge as one of the most terrifying films ever made – and it’s done without any blood spilled.

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Selen G.

@selen Feb 13

An exceptional watch, one that stretches your mind in a philosophical way, makes you question things and lingers in your mind after the movie finishes. Its rare to find movies of this quality

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Welll A

@Azevader88 Dec 29

Não achei que correspondeu à fama. Mas não deixa de ser interessante como estudo de personagem. Não esperava ter uma narrativa paralela do modus operandi do sociopata. "Imagine-se pulando..." foi uma frase que ficou. A música do filme é inquietante.

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Chris O

@Xtian5 Oct 8

I think if I would have seen this when I was young I would have liked it more. I don't want to say any more without spoiling it. Let's just say it takes a lot more to surprise me now.

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Patrick C

Sep 28

I've just watched this deeply unnerving film for the first time in many years and it is every bit as good as I remember it being. Won't write too much as this is one example where spoilers really do matter! A must see.

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Al B

Sep 15

This is a difficult film to review, as the less said about it, the more you will appreciate it. I will say two things. Get the DVD, and watch it with English subtitles. You need to see everything that is being said. Do not read any reviews about this film, before watching it. I cannot stress this enough. The film is quite short, and I would recommend you watch it in one sitting. Don’t have anything you need to do after the film. You will need time to process it. This film tackles a familiar subject in unique ways. Happy viewing. 😎

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Marc C

@MMC1970 Aug 21

The script was at a whoooole other level from most and the actors embraced it. If you really focus, the brilliance of the antagonist is phenomenal. Great movie, even though I needed subtitles

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George Sluizer

Director

Bernard-Pierre Donnadieu

Raymond Lemorne

Gene Bervoets

Rex Hofman

Johanna ter Steege

Saskia Wagter

Gwen Eckhaus

Lieneke

Anne Gordon

Producer

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Synopsis

Rex (Gene Bervoets) and Saskia (Johanna Ter Steege) are enjoying a biking holiday in France when, stopping at a gas station, Saskia disappears. Confounded, Rex searches everywhere, but to no avail. Three years later, he's still obsessed with finding her, pleading his case on television, putting up posters and ruining his new relationship in the process. Eventually an unassuming chemistry teacher, Raymond (Bernard-Pierre Donnadieu), approaches Rex, intimating that he knows what happened.

Director: George Sluizer
Producer: Anne Gordon, George Sluizer
Screenwriter: Tim Krabbé, George Sluizer
Production Co: Argos Films
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: Dutch
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 10, 1990, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 25, 2017
Runtime: 1h 46m

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