The Vanishing

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The Vanishing

1990

1h 46m

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

96%

Tomatometer

50 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

03/08/2025

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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Nicholas Bell

IONCINEMA.com

11/03/2020

4/5

Kubrick considered Sluizer's The Vanishing a truly terrifying film, and its power is in its unsettling simplicity as it explores the potency of its nightmare scenarios.

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Jose G.

@GONZO911 Jun 20

This movie was way too long. Subtitles and took too long to get to the point.

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Nicholas M

@mista72 Jun 19

I remember seeing this at the cinema, oh so long ago, and it pretty much scared me silly, as all horror movies do. It deserves the high rating. The performances were good and the plot was chilling. Do not see the remake, it is terrible. Johanna ter Steege does a wonderful job. This was made in 1988, where does the time go.

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Mickey B.

@Mickerdoo Apr 7

A view into the cost of knowledge via choice. The analytical research was interesting. Didn’t feel the payoff equaled the time commitment.

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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.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Mar 8

Successful horror movie in 1 hour and 46 minutes.

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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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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