The Car
Added How We Rate
- Directed by
- Elliot Silverstein
- Written by
- Michael Butler, Dennis Shryack, Lane Slate
- Produced by
- Marvin Birdt, Elliot Silverstein
Why it’s HorroRated
There's real pleasure in watching that custom sedan prowl sunbaked canyon roads like a shark with chrome fins, and the widescreen desert landscapes look terrific. The trouble is everything between the chases: thin characters, a sagging middle and dialogue that never matches the eerie central image. Brolin makes a sturdy, likable lead, and the stunt driving still impresses. Treat it as a fun late-night curiosity if you love seventies drive-in oddities and killer-machine movies.
Synopsis
Utah desert highways are the hunting ground in The Car (1977), Elliot Silverstein's supernatural horror film about a driverless black automobile picking off residents of the small town of Santa Ynez. James Brolin stars as Wade Parent, the lawman who takes over the hunt once the killings begin, alongside Kathleen Lloyd, John Marley, Ronny Cox and R.G. Armstrong.
Filed under
Where to watch The Car
- Rent or buy
- Prime Video · Apple TV · YouTube · Google Play · Fandango at Home
Streaming in the US changes often. Listings from JustWatch via TMDB, checked October 27, 2026.See every option
Quick facts
- Release date
- May 12, 1977
- Runtime
- 1 hour 36 mins
- Country
- United States of America
- Language
- English
- Content rating
- PG
- Entry type
- Movie
Content notes
- Vehicular killings
Tags
If you liked this…
Christine
1983 · Movie
Jaws
1975 · Movie
The Hills Have Eyes (1977)
1977 · Movie