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The Vanishing

Play trailer Poster for The Vanishing 1990 1h 46m Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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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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The Vanishing

The Vanishing

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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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Critics Reviews

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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. Go to Full Review Christy Lemire ChristyLemire.com 08/20/2018
3.5/4
It's an elegant, riveting piece of filmmaking. Go to Full Review 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. Go to Full Review Sarah Boslaugh TheArtsStl 03/08/2025
8/10
Saskia has about eight minutes of screen time total but creates an indelible impression during that limited exposure. Go to Full Review Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) 08/04/2023
A film that is literally blood chilling. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review 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. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Luke T @LightSyson Mar 11 Theres a lot of hype around this film that I actually think you should ignore if you want to enjoy it. 'Proffesional' critics over-state everything about it. However, it is very good. Full of intrigue and a very interesting depiction of a calculated Sociopath hiding in plain sight as a family man, which probably inspired a lot of things to come afterward. Couple of negatives though: The opening scene takes up too much run time and the ensuing 'investigation' scenes are then rushed. We have no idea where the lead guy is going or why. 1 taunting letter from the kidnapper is shown afterward. I might be alone on this too, but the lead actor doesn't portray a dismayed man who has lost the love of his life. Hes cringy and a bit nasty, which was jarring for me. His new relationship was a useless plot thread too. This is also NOT a horror film by any stretch. Its a slow burn dark thriller. The final act is excellent, however. No spoilers from me. See more Stephen C @bob25009 Mar 8 Successful horror movie in 1 hour and 46 minutes. See more 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 See more 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. See more 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. See more Patrick C @RT84374237 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. See more Read all reviews
The Vanishing

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Cast & Crew

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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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The Vanishing

The Vanishing (1988) The Vanishing (1988) The Vanishing (1988) View more photos

Movie Info

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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