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The Vanishing

The Vanishing

1988
Suspense/Thriller, Mystery
1h 47m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 70.1% from 1898 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(1897)
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Rated 26 Sep 2015
100
97th
Expertly-made chiller with no blood and barely any violence - just horrific ideas and situations. It will haunt you for days afterwards.
Rated 02 Aug 2007
4
70th
Oh fuck. Oh fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck no. This movie's payoff is horrifying. Great, but horrifying. It's all the worse because you realize what's about to happen before the main character does. I had been wondering for a long time before I had seen this what could be so unnerving about the ending, as I heard countless times how shocking it was. By the time it came around, my heart started thumping in my chest with dread. Damn fine movie, amazing ending.
Rated 27 Oct 2009
90
93rd
A thriller that turns the genre's conventions on its head with a slowly unraveling story that keeps the audience (and protagonist) mesmerized until its horrifying conclusion. Although the audience is privy to the perpetrator's identity near the film's start, it does not diminish the suspense or the impending dread one iota; in fact, it heightens these feelings considerably. A truly unique look at just how mundane evil can be, and more unsettling than any paint-by-numbers slasher you'll ever see.
Rated 21 Feb 2010
6
54th
Criminal5 what kind of coward are you?
Rated 14 Jun 2021
80
88th
This game of hide the Saskia is way worse than hide the salami.
Rated 26 Sep 2007
5
96th
The pacing is very slow, but if you can endure it you get a great payoff at the end. I haven't seen this film in over 5 years, but the ending has stuck with me.
Rated 10 Nov 2009
80
78th
Deeply unsettling. So many "scary" films attempt to provide some sort of moral compass - character flaws lead people to their demises- but here the deep, dark randomness of it all is so haunting. I wasn't so much of the film's symbolism (the golden egg/dream/coin stuff wasn't very compelling), but the performances and the story (especially the twisted ending) make it fascinating.
Rated 31 Dec 2009
3
45th
Unique in that it's not a question of who or how, but why. It's unconventional and rather unsettling. I must say I was underwhelmed by the much-hyped ending, though.
Rated 28 May 2007
75
74th
Ultimately painting knowledge as a self-destructive force, The Vanishing feels like a modern updating of Genesis. As the serpent analog, Donnadieu evokes a chilling detachment from the rest of humanity.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
40
26th
This didn't affect me the way it clearly did others.
Rated 02 Jul 2009
87
84th
Very creepy and holds a deeper meaning than most films of the genre. The ending is absolutely shocking.
Rated 10 Aug 2009
95
97th
Remove its famous ending and I would still love The Vanishing for its disturbing realism. Its believable plot, fantastic acting, and attention to detail create unprecedentedly accurate depictions of abandonment, psychopathy, and obsession -- remarkably cohesive too. Very affecting, very disgusting... very much worth watching if you want a realistic depiction of human's dark side.
Rated 09 Oct 2010
74
48th
A rather engaging and emotionally satisfying thriller. The on-screen presence of Raymond is always a curious delight; he is one of the more interesting diaboliques of cinema. This movie could've been a bit more psychologically deep as it's warranted, and as creepy and unsettling as the ending is, it would've been even more creepy and unsettling if Rex didn't drink the coffee.
Rated 27 Nov 2012
90
97th
'Spoorloos' is a unique package. Acting and plot is grounded in everyday reality but, at the same time, Sluizer excels stylistically. In terms of narrative, it's somewhat peculiarly put together but that mostly works to its advantage. The film sometimes loses momentum but whenever it was about to lose its hold on me, I was hooked anew by an impressive shot or another tense scene. Chances are you've heard of the ending. And, yes, it is really good. So is the prologue. A top-tier thriller.
Rated 28 Jan 2015
40
41st
Not suspenseful or thrilling at all, it feels like a documentary almost
Rated 27 Jun 2016
70
71st
The characters never developed the intricacy and cohesiveness required to make their actions not seem contrived. The first scenes with Rex and Saskia overflow with chemistry, but it is clear from Raymond's first introduction onwards that the director had little understanding of the characters and existentialism he intended to display. Kafkaesque tones would have been appreciated.
Rated 03 Jan 2017
87
94th
I can't stop thinking about it. A crushing ending in the best way possible; not so much shocking or surprising as it is extremely well executed.
Rated 08 Nov 2018
3
36th
you have to be an extremely subtle and empathetic filmmaker to make something so clinical and conceptual work dramatically, and sluizer isn't really either of those things. the pay-off is nice, but this is a pretty contrived, long-winded way of evoking a godless void, particularly if you've watched leatherface spin with his chainsaw lately. can't fault it for ambition though, and i would probably love a more elegant (or alternatively more pulpy) version of this.
Rated 25 Jan 2007
90
94th
Incredibly effective suspense film. It's continually frustrating and yet for most of it there's really no other way it can go. Incredibly powerful ending that fits the film perfectly.
Rated 13 Apr 2007
90
90th
After seeing it, I just kind of walked around the house, wide-eyed, and completely creeped out. Unforgettable stuff.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
70
37th
Overly rote thriller with an admittedly disturbing final twist
Rated 14 Aug 2007
75
36th
This movie has not aged well thanks in part to movies like Kill Bill 2 and Saw-I'd heard great things about it and its ending, but was disappointed in the end. It's slightly more psychological, equally as quirky, and half as entertaining as modern-day thrillers.
Rated 17 Sep 2007
65
65th
It has a good premise and good storytelling. I get the feeling it could have been better directed. It does manage to achieve genuine horror using a sly narrative instead of more ordinary devices such as blood and gore, atmosphere, living dead, etc. Still, it's by no means an exceptional movie.
Rated 05 Mar 2008
85
83rd
A bit slow at times but the ending is totally worth it.
Rated 18 Mar 2008
93
93rd
Surprisingly chilling by the end.
Rated 20 Apr 2008
80
82nd
Most remarkable largely because this movie is more palpably scary in my memory of it than it was while I was watching it. I can think of no other movie that has that effect on me.
Rated 01 Feb 2009
75
33rd
Some genuinely creepy moments, but it gets worse as it goes on. A whole movie can't be based around a single, "What-if?" fear.
Rated 15 Feb 2009
83
87th
I started of being a little bit sceptical about 'Spoorloos'. Gene Bervoets in an ice cold thriller? ... But damn this surprised me. The build up, the storytelling, the acting, the camera movements, ... everything shows so much talent. Sluizer and Krabbé even created one of the most intense motives behind all this horror. ... A really intelligent and suspensful movie, with a horrifying ending.
Rated 06 Apr 2009
92
81st
Creapy and very good......
Rated 16 Apr 2009
80
57th
Slightly dated but unravels itself in quite an unexpected way, leading to a very macabre ending indeed.
Rated 14 May 2009
94
93rd
Awesome at building up tension towards the end. Definitely one of those films where you want to scream at the screen, telling the actor "don't do it!" Interesting look into how obsession can drive a man along with some excellent acting, especially from Bernard-Pierre Donnadieu. Definitely an ending that will haunt me. rewatch Jan 2023: Watched as refresher and it's even better than I remembered. Classic thriller, amazing ending.
Rated 24 Jun 2009
84
75th
Great acting from Donnadieu, crafting an incredibly unsettling character. The film effectively leaves you in doubt until the final scene. Really good storytelling, as has been said repeatedly.
Rated 18 Aug 2009
89
91st
One of few films to genuinely get my heart racing. Don't just watch for the talked-about ending.
Rated 18 Oct 2010
60
72nd
It's funny, I liked the American 1993 remake better, except for the last 20 minutes. This original ending was WAY better, and should have been kept, seeing as it was the same director who made both movies.
Rated 25 Feb 2011
80
91st
A creepy and well executed(and performed) depiction of a sosiopath and one of the best endings I've seen!!
Rated 21 Mar 2011
93
91st
This movie stuck with me for days after. A truly unnerving movie with what may be the most unnerving villain out of any movie I've ever seen.
Rated 24 Apr 2011
45
27th
Overall Enjoyment: 15/40, Plot/Themes: 10/20, Cinematography/Direction: 10/20, Acting/Writing: 10/20 This movie had a decent premise, but it just wasn't told in a very gripping or interesting way.
Rated 23 Aug 2011
88
95th
Absolutely chilling. The film's structure is quite smart, leaving the viewer in the dark most of the time. Once the reveals come they arrive with gut-wrenching force. Excellent work across the board, with one of the most haunting endings to a movie I've seen in... well, maybe ever. OK, after Threads maybe.
Rated 07 Sep 2011
90
96th
Second viewing: still chilling, still the best kidnapping movie ever made by far... And that ending!
Rated 13 Dec 2011
90
96th
SPOILER!!! ACHTUNG!!! I'm not satisfied with Raymond's explanation to why he did it. I have to know the truth, I just have to... I'll do whatever it takes... AAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!
Rated 08 Mar 2012
8
82nd
If, like me, you read how shocking the ending was a million times then you will be incredibly disappointed. I was expecting something much more depraved and fucked up but rather got an ending that was good but not exactly shocking. Still this was a great and engaging movie that kept me interested the entire run time. Can't help but wonder how a more capable director would've made it though.
Rated 07 Jan 2013
80
74th
This is quite an effective freaky movie - the kind that is very much more than the sum of its parts. While the story elements, characters and dialogues are all pretty banal and reminiscent of trashy European crime thrillers, the way the movie is constructed is classy. For ages you're a lost tourist wandering in a labyrinth, until you suddenly realise you're deep inside the mind of a calculating sociopath, and every little detail and clue now makes sense. Chilling, well constructed and memorable.
Rated 08 Feb 2014
80
90th
sadly, i remembered seeing the us remake somewhere on tv halfway into the movie, which completely ruined the experience that is buried here. the hollywood ending was slightly altered, but still it killed any surprise for me. fuck tv, fuck remakes. also, i found this to be somewhat comedic, almost goofy at times, and the quirky 80s soundtrack didn't exactly help. but then again it creates a nice contrast to the heavy outcome, when it suddenly gets very serious. 10 points "remake-spoiled" bonus.
Rated 19 Jun 2014
65
42nd
Well-crafted and compelling, "Spoorloos" features some successfully brooding atmosphere (aided by the soundtrack) and some solid psychological insights. Although Rex's obsession somewhat lacks convincing motivation, it is ultimately all about the deranged mind of Raymond, and Donnadieu creates a memorable incarnation of him. Overall, nothing riveting but serviceable and intriguing.
Rated 26 Nov 2017
89
83rd
| BACKFILLING LOAD OF FILMS NOT SEEN FOR LONG TIME -> Scores poss 20-30% out. Grateful if U drop me a cordial msg if U think memory dulled a gem or gave rosy tint 2 clunker. IE. Tell me WHY Im wrong & what U think I should score
Rated 06 Apr 2018
80
81st
çekici bir estetik peşinde koşmadan böyle bir gerilimi anlatıp izletebiliyor olması önemli bir başarı. pek özel olmayan hikayeyi kuruluş biçimiyle sadece heyecanla izlenebilir hale getirmeyi değil, bunu çok iyi biçimde yapmayı da beceriyor. kamera kullanımından oyunculuk performanslarına tuhaf biçimde etkileyici bir iş.
Rated 02 Aug 2018
75
69th
Well written and a satisfying ending
Rated 29 May 2020
55
32nd
I think the difference in quality between this and the remake are a bit exaggerated. The remake had better pacing and Jeff Bridges (although Donnadieu isn’t bad at all). The original has a better ending, and the added creepiness of seeing the guy plan things out so casually. I did think this was better, but even this version isn’t close to perfect for me.
Rated 10 Nov 2020
76
61st
A fairly unsettling representation of psychopathy that functions as both a subversion of the thriller genre's tropes and an antecedent to its turn down darker, nastier roads in the '90s. And yes, its climax will leave you bitter and angry and in the throes of despair. Perfect!
Rated 19 Dec 2020
89
72nd
How to spot a psychopath: Awful beard, drives a Citroen, highly codependent when at gas stations, suspiciously concerned with technicalities of screaming.
Rated 04 Jun 2007
90
89th
Absolutely fantastic horror film with an ending to die for. Do not, I repeat do not bother with the American remake. It is a hack job, ironically by this director.
Rated 03 Jul 2007
80
43rd
It's all about the ending.
Rated 29 Sep 2007
70
41st
Basically kinda lame...but contains one of the all-time sexiest scenes on the screen: when the girl talks to the guy at the coke machine (no doubt the poignancy of which is augmented by the knowledge that in a few minutes the psycho is going to off her).
Rated 10 Aug 2008
84
79th
Just a great ending, which alone gets it up into a higher tier than it deserves.
Rated 30 Sep 2008
90
95th
Oh my god this film is sooooo good. The villain creeps me out totally, just because he's so bland looking. Remade in the US by the same director a few years later
Rated 04 Dec 2008
8
55th
Haunting.
Rated 11 Aug 2009
85
84th
Cliche-free.
Rated 31 Aug 2009
94
93rd
Soo much better than the U.S. Remake!
Rated 30 Dec 2009
4
55th
Engaging build-up to an ending that would fit better in a Tales From the Crypt story. Deeply disappointing. Raymond Lemorne makes it worthwhile when the script slacks.
Rated 22 Feb 2010
82
78th
Psychological horror at its greatest.
Rated 21 Mar 2010
71
73rd
This arty Dutch psychological thriller became a surprise hit on the art house circuit. This keeps you guessing throughout and is well directed by Sluizer. The chillingly ambiguous twist ending will stay with you for days -- and is far more satisfying than the new, upbeat ending contrived for the remake.
Rated 24 Aug 2010
85
91st
After this, and Fat Girl, ima never let my woman out at a gas station!
Rated 24 Dec 2010
25
43rd
Black thriller with a shock ending.
Rated 17 Jan 2011
90
92nd
89.875
Rated 23 Jan 2011
78
69th
Very disturbing and creepy. A little bit slow sometimes, but the end is very satisfying.
Rated 13 Apr 2011
80
84th
Suspenseful, neatly constructed, and with a memorable villain. Very good.
Rated 26 Oct 2011
88
81st
Just wonderfully acted.
Rated 23 Dec 2011
90
97th
no matter how much time passes I still find myself on the brink of a panic attack every time i think about this one
Rated 31 Jan 2012
85
78th
Intriguing tale made even more frightening by the real possibility that this has or could happen for real. Also features a great villain that seems like the guy next door-type, but has that hidden side to him.
Rated 30 Mar 2012
65
24th
sevgililer, yolculuk, mola yeri, kacirilmak, iz sürmek, sosyopat, psikopat, bayiltmak, diri diri gömülmek, ögretmen (finalde psikopatin teklifini kabul eden adam mantikli gelmedi. Finali farkli olsaymis daha iyi olurmus.)
Rated 06 Jun 2012
85
89th
Sluizer takes his time to build strong, well-formed characters, an escalating tension and sense of dread and a cumulative of interesting ideas on faith, destiny, the power of will and, ultimately, obsession. (Also: The last 20 minutes are some of the most tense I've ever seen).
Rated 16 Jul 2012
62
37th
Eeks!
Rated 31 Aug 2012
75
66th
I suspect I may be under-rating this, sadly the ending was spoiled for me before I ever sat down to watch it.
Rated 27 Nov 2012
99
97th
One of the most chilling films ever regarding the banality of evil.
Rated 06 Jan 2013
85
93rd
I want to talk about the parts of this movie, but I don't want to give anything away as I think this is really a good movie and an overlooked one. Let me just say this: It may seem to start out as a simple "L'Aventura" ripoff - but it ends up as something much better. Without hesitation I say this is worth a watch.
Rated 01 Apr 2013
88
84th
I would call this an interesting movie - it's good yeah but maybe not entertaining, and overall not particularly chilling. It carefully and meticulously follows the life of a sociopath, planning out a horrendous act - and it does it with doses of dark comedy, mystery, anticipation, dread, melancholy, and mundanity. The film really does belong to Donnadieu, who plays a normal human being who just happens to be capable of horror. And that ending! Chilling. Great film (with a dumb as hell score).
Rated 21 May 2013
81
80th
Well, not as 'thrilling' as I expected after reading other reviews, but a compelling story.
Rated 07 Oct 2013
89
97th
89.000
Rated 29 Oct 2013
85
59th
The whole thing is an interesting exploration of a very dark man, but it's the ending that perfectly seals everything together in a fucked-up little package.
Rated 10 Dec 2013
92
76th
A deceptively complex film. Perhaps it portrays two simultaneously unhealthy attitudes towards humanity (numb sociopathic disinterest vs. an obsessive but fruitless quest for control). Or maybe the sociopath is God, a cruel and arbitrary master of fate.
Rated 04 Jul 2014
0
10th
stupid movie.
Rated 04 Aug 2014
80
44th
The most bleak ending of a horror film, ever. American horror films love sadism, Euro horror loves nihilism.
Rated 08 Sep 2014
78
87th
damn...
Rated 03 Oct 2014
85
69th
A movie that lays out all its cards on the table quickly, and still manages to be phenomenally suspenseful. On top of that, The Vanishing gives you a full look into the mind of a psychopath. It starts off slow, but it does so building up to a great climax.
Rated 22 Oct 2014
89
82nd
An intelligent chiller that deftly builds up to one of the most frightening endings of all time.
Rated 03 Nov 2014
80
68th
I can see why Sluizer never went on to do anything else of note; all he did here was luck out with an awesome script and have the good sense not to get in its way. The acting is clunky and awkward, the music is terrible, and if you have a vague idea of the ending, as I did, there's not much tension. But it works because it's a good story with a fascinating structure and an almost perfect pace. Sometimes that's all it takes.
Rated 05 Jan 2015
82
85th
Chilling
Rated 13 Jul 2015
8
79th
Merciless yet strangely quiet thriller with appealing genre quirks and a surprising villain.
Rated 26 Nov 2015
90
91st
Post-Hitchcock that has the burden of being remade by the same director and the main victim sharing names with my girlfriend
Rated 01 Mar 2016
79
84th
1.3.16
Rated 23 Mar 2016
61
31st
I had heard so much about how disturbing this movie was - and when it ended, I was just left thinking "Really? That's it?" Lacks a certain empathy for the characters, instead clinically focusing on procedure and action. While it is somewhat darkly humorous at times, there's too much of an emotional gulf to enjoy much else. And yeah it's a terrifying concept, but if you don't have that emotional foundation then the ending falls flat. The super-80s score doesn't help either.
Rated 22 Jul 2016
80
73rd
null
Rated 29 Jul 2016
70
67th
It was pretty good. It's quite slowly paced, but it takes you on quite a journey. I imagine reading the book is even better. There are certain aspects that are a bit dated, and not every single piece of dialogue or performance are perfect, but these things don't matter. It's a dark, nihilistic movie with a pretty incredible ending, and I recommend it.
Rated 16 Oct 2016
70
75th
Not as good as everyone says it is but still a very solid film. The ending was a nice touch even if you can see it coming a mile away. Bernard-Pierre Donnadieu was great in his role and even when he wasn't doing anything he seemed off and eerie. Gene Bervoets gave a very naturalistic performance that help make him more identifiable.
Rated 21 Nov 2016
88
82nd
at first I found the music distractingly awful but it is so memorable by the end I almost thought it was good. This movie will stick with you
Rated 10 Jun 2017
70
55th
Moments of intense creepiness but Rex and his actions were never believable for me. The ending is as good as you've heard but don't expect gore
Rated 23 Jul 2017
70
50th
Unforgettable ending, but what makes a truly great twist film is when the scenes before it are strong enough to distract from the surprise and hold up on their own. The Vanishing is always engaging, but it's mostly because of the momentum of its mystery, not for the scenes it takes to get there. I could see a lot of this not being as gripping on a rewatch because of that. Donnadieu is so excellent that he may make the exceptions.
Rated 07 Oct 2017
90
72nd
Pretty good
Rated 18 Jan 2018
90
95th
turunun en iyisi...
Rated 24 Oct 2018
85
66th
Really great script, and Donnadieu's performance as Raymond Lemorne is hypnotic - up there with Hannibal Lector as one of cinema's great sociopaths. Nothing spectacular on the visual front, but definitely pretty good. The biggest shortcoming was without a doubt the music. Just didn't work for me.

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