The Vanishing
Director: George Sluizer
Actors: Bernard-Pierre Donnadieu, Gene Bervoets, Johanna ter Steege
PlotWhile on holiday, a young Dutch couple, Rex and Saskia, stop at a busy service station in France. The journey is filled with tension and affection, as their relationship's complexities come to the surface. However, this emotional backdrop is overshadowed by an inexplicable incident: Saskia, who enters the station's shop to purchase drinks, vanishes without a trace. Her sudden disappearance leaves Rex distraught and bewildered, sparking an obsessive quest that spans years to uncover what happened to his girlfriend. The service station does not offer any clues, witnesses report nothing unusual, and the authorities can find no trace of Saskia anywhere.
Parallel to Rex's search, the audience is introduced to the meticulous Raymond, a family man with a dark, compulsive streak. Raymond presents a stark contrast to Rex's desperate, emotionally driven search; he showcases an unnerving attention to detail and a disquieting interest in the disappearance of Saskia. As time passes, Rex's life becomes consumed by the need to know Saskia's fate, as he delves deeper into his own sorrow and frustration. Entwined with Raymond's narrative, a chilling psychological game unfolds—one that probes the limits of obsession, guilt, and the desire for truth.
Writers: Tim Krabbé, George Sluizer
Release Date: 27 Oct 1988
Runtime: 107 min
Rating: Not Rated
Country: Netherlands, France, West Germany
Language: Dutch, French, English
Home Video Reviews
George Sluizer's The Vanishing is a masterfully suspenseful, unforgettable thriller, now stunning in 4K. Highly recommended.
Read our review of The Vanishing Blu-ray to find out more