The Hitch-hiker (The Bright Noir)

I've been thinking about this film, considering it's the first film-noir of the term, and how much it breaks away from the mold of the genre but manages to keep the shape and delivery of one. When I think Noir, I always find them in un-worldly dark places, where silhouettes and shadows thrive, and where the empty space seemingly suffocates. But this film barely has that darkness. Instead it utilizes the tight space of both a vehicle and the watchful eye of a itchy trigger finger to keep you bound in with a racing heart. Hitchhiker makes you feel as if light and the open space is just as dreadful. I'd even argue that the lack of language barrier makes us feel even worse for the hostages, as these vendors and citizens the three men meet along the way can't pick up on the atmosphere of the words spoken, the emphasis of trying to be warned. I think that makes the beginning of the film so strong, the connotation that "This could happen to you". Being kind, leading to getting you killed, or at the very least physiologically tortured and I bet nobody picked up anybody on the side of the road after seeing this film. I wouldn't even pick up my neighbor if they asked me to pick them up from their driveway.