I'm not quite sure what to make of this story of Billy and Betty, two Bonnie and Clyde wannabes who go on a rampage out of a Quentin Tarantino movie and then find out that there is no running from your actions. The film starts with the events in a diner and then jump to seven years later when Betty frees Billy from a prison van and they go on the run. The past present and future seem to mingle as someone seems to be after them and they ponder if one can ever be free of past deeds. This is a well made, if derivative film (it relies way too much on Tarantino and others). The performances are good, but the problem is the script which tries to have things every which it can before it gets really confused for the WTF ending. I like the film, I really do, but I don't love it. I think one some level I liked the potential, the sense that perhaps something special was going to happen. I didn't like that it never really materialized. (To be honest I think what I think made me like the film was that at times the film seemed to aping and copying Quentin Tarantino in the way that Tarantino copies all the films he rips off with a style that occasionally out shone the source.) Is the film worth seeing? Perhaps. I think that the film is best summed up as an interesting misfire with moments that work and show promise and others, particularly the ending, that will leave you scratching your head.
19 Reviews
Well mad movie has a plot line that becomes confused and stranger as it goes on
dbborroughs16 July 2009
Warning: Spoilers
sadly disappointing . . . was expecting a higher caliber of film
charles00014 August 2010
I can understand what director K C Bascome was trying to create, but it didn't quite hit the target, at least for me.
All the characters were very well delivered, the acting was excellent in that context . . . but the character development was overdone, and at a certain point it just became laboriously slow and plodding.
It's unfortunate, because with tighter directing and more overall plot cohesion, this could have been a fine piece of work, but the film doesn't quite get there.
The ending in particular seems to be uncoordinated, almost as if thrown together ad lib during the final editing. Perhaps the original script / screen play had elements that weren't effectively communicated.
In summary, great concept, excellent acting . . . but overall, the film itself just didn't deliver the potential that this film could have been.
For any Hide fans out there, sorry folks, that's my honest opinion.
All the characters were very well delivered, the acting was excellent in that context . . . but the character development was overdone, and at a certain point it just became laboriously slow and plodding.
It's unfortunate, because with tighter directing and more overall plot cohesion, this could have been a fine piece of work, but the film doesn't quite get there.
The ending in particular seems to be uncoordinated, almost as if thrown together ad lib during the final editing. Perhaps the original script / screen play had elements that weren't effectively communicated.
In summary, great concept, excellent acting . . . but overall, the film itself just didn't deliver the potential that this film could have been.
For any Hide fans out there, sorry folks, that's my honest opinion.
Hide
Scarecrow-8823 December 2008
Warning: Spoilers
Modern day trailer park version of Bonnie and Clyde, "Billy Bear" and "Betty Boop" are introduced to us within a diner ala Pulp Fiction discussing the passion with which the working class operate compared to big city employees who work with little dedication. We soon discover that these two have murdered everyone who had the misfortune of being in that diner, with the police outside having the place surrounded. They, with loot in tow(..they had previously robbed a bank and killed many innocents at the scene), exit the diner guns blazing ala Butch Cassady and The Sundance Kid. Billy(Christian Kane)informs us of his seven years behind bars being moved to another jail, when his baby doll, Betty(Rachel Miner)causes the transport truck to flip thanks to a diesel truck she had commandeered plowing into it. Billy, having been rescued by Betty, awakens inside a little hotel room and the two plan for their future. But, Billy, seemingly reformed having plenty of time to contemplate his murderous deeds and the blood on his hands, tries to refrain from violent and sadistic activities and is constantly urged by Betty into steering back to the old ways. Meanwhile, it seems someone is following them and Billy constantly reminds Betty that they must indeed pay for their past sins. We see that someone off-screen is torturing Billy's lovely and innocent sister Jenny(Polly Shannon) and a prison guard who snapped photos of her bound and gagged. Will this sadist catch up with Billy and Betty? Will Billy and Betty in fact face the consequences of their actions, for all the blood they've shed?
Poor Rachel Miner really wrestles with the accent and persona of a white trash southern princess, trying her damnedest to make just a role work, but I think it's just too much for her to handle. She wears little to nothing, short mini-skirts and little shirts which are so open her bra always remains present throughout. Very leggy with long boots. Thick make-up and bright lip stick with hair that's stringy and messy as if she had left her beautician's chair before getting it finished. Kane has the muscles and attitude, tattoos all over developing this tough-guy image. They're pretty much caricatures, archetypes of restless souls with volatile personalities who desire to harm and wreak havoc. I thought they pretty much walked off the movie Domino(..directed by Tony Scott)into their own. The film, to me, makes a devastatingly wrong decision with the twist ending. It seems unnecessary, but does fall in line with the overbearing message preached throughout the movie..we reap what we sow and karma's a bitch, with the past eventually catching up with you for the deeds you have done. Lots of reflection from Billy who seems overwhelmed with guilt for his actions while, interesting enough, Betty focuses her thoughts on the money he hid(..the loot stole from the bank)in the vault within a graveyard. She's a wild spirit, hard to control and manage. It's an ideal part for an actress capable enough to pull it off, but Miner just doesn't fit the model of a white trash beauty no matter how hard she tries(..and she does try hard). It's simply far easier for me to accept her as the victim than a psychotic killer, but I must, at the very least, commend her for giving it a shot. K.C. Bascombe really pulled a fast one on me because I truly felt this was set in the American Southwest..the rug pulled from under my feet finding that the actual shoot was in Argentina.
Poor Rachel Miner really wrestles with the accent and persona of a white trash southern princess, trying her damnedest to make just a role work, but I think it's just too much for her to handle. She wears little to nothing, short mini-skirts and little shirts which are so open her bra always remains present throughout. Very leggy with long boots. Thick make-up and bright lip stick with hair that's stringy and messy as if she had left her beautician's chair before getting it finished. Kane has the muscles and attitude, tattoos all over developing this tough-guy image. They're pretty much caricatures, archetypes of restless souls with volatile personalities who desire to harm and wreak havoc. I thought they pretty much walked off the movie Domino(..directed by Tony Scott)into their own. The film, to me, makes a devastatingly wrong decision with the twist ending. It seems unnecessary, but does fall in line with the overbearing message preached throughout the movie..we reap what we sow and karma's a bitch, with the past eventually catching up with you for the deeds you have done. Lots of reflection from Billy who seems overwhelmed with guilt for his actions while, interesting enough, Betty focuses her thoughts on the money he hid(..the loot stole from the bank)in the vault within a graveyard. She's a wild spirit, hard to control and manage. It's an ideal part for an actress capable enough to pull it off, but Miner just doesn't fit the model of a white trash beauty no matter how hard she tries(..and she does try hard). It's simply far easier for me to accept her as the victim than a psychotic killer, but I must, at the very least, commend her for giving it a shot. K.C. Bascombe really pulled a fast one on me because I truly felt this was set in the American Southwest..the rug pulled from under my feet finding that the actual shoot was in Argentina.
The sequel to "Natural Born Killers"
nathan-yeo1 September 2009
If your like me and you liked Tarantinos NBK, but felt there should've been more roaming the road slaughtering the road killing people then you'll like this film. it borrows from that and other movies, but instead of telling why the woman kills it gets more into why the guys the killer. The movie has enough twists and turns that it goes full circle. The acting was good and the writer tried to get the witty dialog that is known for Tarantinos films but just doesn't nail it.
Who can forget the opening scene of step-father with the stereo-typical clean cut suburban father grooming himself in the mirror. then walks down stairs to the bloody aftermath of the mayhem he caused downstairs. Well imagine that same scene in a road-house diner, thats how the movie starts. The next scene, while his gun-moll seduce a "GoB" for murder you see the guy sidle up to a Rabid dog and have a monologue about the killer inside you. you don't know if he's talking about himself or the girl but you'll find out shortly.
Who can forget the opening scene of step-father with the stereo-typical clean cut suburban father grooming himself in the mirror. then walks down stairs to the bloody aftermath of the mayhem he caused downstairs. Well imagine that same scene in a road-house diner, thats how the movie starts. The next scene, while his gun-moll seduce a "GoB" for murder you see the guy sidle up to a Rabid dog and have a monologue about the killer inside you. you don't know if he's talking about himself or the girl but you'll find out shortly.
Unfrozen Indy Filmmaker : A Bedtime Story
Bill35719 April 2010
In 1994, while working as a waiter in a trendy Hollywood restaurant, aspiring filmmaker K.C. Bascombe was retrieving a frozen dish from the walk-in freezer, when the place was raided and shut down by the city of Los Angeles, after apparently making the mistake of serving Barbara Streisand her main entrée before she was finished with the teaser. (Babs hates that.)
Accidentally locked in the freezer, he's trapped in a state of suspended animation for fourteen long years. Miraculously, when K.C. is thawed out, he's still alive and full of movie ideas.
After a quickie lawsuit against the city, he obtains the funds to finance the quintessential early-nineties independent film, the story of a murderous, philosophical dirt-bag who take off in his 1960's convertible, on a nicotine fueled crime-spree across the truck-stops and greasy-spoon diners of the southwest, with his loud, over-sexed hick girlfriend, who likes to shout, "You sweet on me!" to greasy, fat rednecks before flipping out and offing them.
The problem with KC's script was that time had passed him bye. His ideas, that were once so hip and fresh, had been squeezed of all their potential in the years that he'd been away.
At his wits end, he summoned the help of others, writers more experienced in the modern ways of screen-writing. Those men helped KC a lot, introducing new concepts to the hopelessly behind-the-times filmmaker, modern concepts like having no real action or suspense in the film and adding mindless torture in order to give pimply-faced geeks a chubby.
With the screenplay finished, KC was quite excited. He immediately suggested to the casting director that the two leads should be filled by Woody Harrelson (that funny guy from "Cheers") and Juliette Lewis (whom he loved in Kalifornia), only to be nervously told that those two already made a film together and besides, they're both a bit too old these days. After all, it's been fourteen years!
KC then suggested Christian Slater and Patricia Arquette, prompting the casting director to quit.
With no famous actors in the leading roles, KC soldiered forward with an actor and actress who mimicked Woody and Juliette quite nicely, filming his movie, which he called Hide, and eventually releasing it on DVD.
"What's a DVB?", asked KC, who's last memories of home video were of 1994, videocassettes, and Blockbuster Video.
"It's called a DV-D.", replied the distributor. "It's like a tiny laser-disc!"
And so it was released, prompting sarcastic a--holes like myself much merriment, as it was just too derivative of about a million other movies (Wild At Heart, Kalifornia, True Romance, Pulp Fiction, Natural Born Killers, The Road Killers, Love And A .45, Freeway) from the early to mid-nineties.
However, it's mindless scenes of torture, as well as it's excessive heavy-petting, did give pimply-faced geeks across America plenty of Chubbies!
THE END
Accidentally locked in the freezer, he's trapped in a state of suspended animation for fourteen long years. Miraculously, when K.C. is thawed out, he's still alive and full of movie ideas.
After a quickie lawsuit against the city, he obtains the funds to finance the quintessential early-nineties independent film, the story of a murderous, philosophical dirt-bag who take off in his 1960's convertible, on a nicotine fueled crime-spree across the truck-stops and greasy-spoon diners of the southwest, with his loud, over-sexed hick girlfriend, who likes to shout, "You sweet on me!" to greasy, fat rednecks before flipping out and offing them.
The problem with KC's script was that time had passed him bye. His ideas, that were once so hip and fresh, had been squeezed of all their potential in the years that he'd been away.
At his wits end, he summoned the help of others, writers more experienced in the modern ways of screen-writing. Those men helped KC a lot, introducing new concepts to the hopelessly behind-the-times filmmaker, modern concepts like having no real action or suspense in the film and adding mindless torture in order to give pimply-faced geeks a chubby.
With the screenplay finished, KC was quite excited. He immediately suggested to the casting director that the two leads should be filled by Woody Harrelson (that funny guy from "Cheers") and Juliette Lewis (whom he loved in Kalifornia), only to be nervously told that those two already made a film together and besides, they're both a bit too old these days. After all, it's been fourteen years!
KC then suggested Christian Slater and Patricia Arquette, prompting the casting director to quit.
With no famous actors in the leading roles, KC soldiered forward with an actor and actress who mimicked Woody and Juliette quite nicely, filming his movie, which he called Hide, and eventually releasing it on DVD.
"What's a DVB?", asked KC, who's last memories of home video were of 1994, videocassettes, and Blockbuster Video.
"It's called a DV-D.", replied the distributor. "It's like a tiny laser-disc!"
And so it was released, prompting sarcastic a--holes like myself much merriment, as it was just too derivative of about a million other movies (Wild At Heart, Kalifornia, True Romance, Pulp Fiction, Natural Born Killers, The Road Killers, Love And A .45, Freeway) from the early to mid-nineties.
However, it's mindless scenes of torture, as well as it's excessive heavy-petting, did give pimply-faced geeks across America plenty of Chubbies!
THE END
started dry, ended....well it ended
info-1945220 May 2009
Warning: Spoilers
watched this movie tonight, it was very very dry...we almost turned it off............................but we figured to keep going.......boy was it a mistake............... the acting.............sucked...............the plot...............well it was more of a made for TV movie based on a true story............... if you value any sec of your time...don't watch this...i want my time back but will never get it....just say no to indy films...they all suck...they are just like this... I was asking my wife.."do you think they got paid for this?? like the main actors" we figured maybe like a few hundred a week? awful awful stuff.. I don't know why I keep seeing crappy movies but there are just so many of them!!!!!!!!!
Today is the first day FOR the rest of your life!
catfish-er7 October 2009
Warning: Spoilers
I saw HIDE on Showtime last night; and, I found it to be is a very unique horror/psychological thriller type of a film. I recently saw MAD AS HELL, which gets you thinking a lot about good and evil; and, HIDE just continues in that same vein.
First off, I thought that the acting was exceptional, Christian Kane and Rachel Miner star as "Billy Bear" and "Betty Boop." They are Bonny and Clyde wannabes; and, think that their fortunes lie in escaping to South America, like Butch Cassady and The Sundance Kid.
Unfortunately, Billy is imprisoned for seven years; but, is being moved to another jail. That's when Betty helps break him out. The saga continues as they trace their past back to the scene of their last crime, a diner in Billy's home town but, at the same time their past is catching up with them!
The past and present get confused, in a seemingly endless loop, as Billy's torment unfolds. In his version of Hell, Billy has to hurt the ones he loves!
However, in this film we see only one outcome of many possible twists to the tale. Each begins with the hoped-for escape... which, I believe was only imagined by Billy.
Is Betty alive, as we saw in the first telling of the tale? Or, is Betty dead, as Billy said, when he's back in the transport being taken to another jail? We don't know; and, we won't know. However, it's obvious that Billy has become overwhelmed with guilt for his actions; and, grief from his separation from Betty.
Truth be told, I think Billy went insane; and, imagined the whole thing... and, will imagine it again; and, again.
At the diner, Betty said, "Today is the first day of the rest of our lives!" However, it seems that for Billy, today is the first day FOR the rest of his life... he's going to re-live it over and over!
First off, I thought that the acting was exceptional, Christian Kane and Rachel Miner star as "Billy Bear" and "Betty Boop." They are Bonny and Clyde wannabes; and, think that their fortunes lie in escaping to South America, like Butch Cassady and The Sundance Kid.
Unfortunately, Billy is imprisoned for seven years; but, is being moved to another jail. That's when Betty helps break him out. The saga continues as they trace their past back to the scene of their last crime, a diner in Billy's home town but, at the same time their past is catching up with them!
The past and present get confused, in a seemingly endless loop, as Billy's torment unfolds. In his version of Hell, Billy has to hurt the ones he loves!
However, in this film we see only one outcome of many possible twists to the tale. Each begins with the hoped-for escape... which, I believe was only imagined by Billy.
Is Betty alive, as we saw in the first telling of the tale? Or, is Betty dead, as Billy said, when he's back in the transport being taken to another jail? We don't know; and, we won't know. However, it's obvious that Billy has become overwhelmed with guilt for his actions; and, grief from his separation from Betty.
Truth be told, I think Billy went insane; and, imagined the whole thing... and, will imagine it again; and, again.
At the diner, Betty said, "Today is the first day of the rest of our lives!" However, it seems that for Billy, today is the first day FOR the rest of his life... he's going to re-live it over and over!
REALLY
valica-3384915 August 2021
One of the most beautifully shot films I can remember seeing
kezopster30 June 2010
Warning: Spoilers
Through-out this movie, I was amazed at how the images looked on the screen, the use of color and light. I know, as an audience member, we're not really supposed to notice that sort of stuff, but I did and it added.
Before seeing this movie, I was complete ignorant about Rachel Miner (Betty) and Christian Kane (Billy). The story focuses on them, revolves around them, and is told in a series of flashbacks. The opening scene is remarkably compelling before revealing that it's actually a flashback.
Meanwhile, this modern day Bonnie and Clyde are a couple worth watching. Rachel Miner's Betty is a joy against Christian Kane's Billy. I don't know if that's Miner's natural accent, but if it isn't, she's spot on. Same is true of Kane's, though Miner's is sweet music through-out. She's one bad-assed chick.
Spoiler alert: The ending is a bit wonky. Takes a moment to sort it all out and put things into perspective and then you feel a bit cheated as you realize, "okay, so most of that never really happened then, it's just his punishment?"
Before seeing this movie, I was complete ignorant about Rachel Miner (Betty) and Christian Kane (Billy). The story focuses on them, revolves around them, and is told in a series of flashbacks. The opening scene is remarkably compelling before revealing that it's actually a flashback.
Meanwhile, this modern day Bonnie and Clyde are a couple worth watching. Rachel Miner's Betty is a joy against Christian Kane's Billy. I don't know if that's Miner's natural accent, but if it isn't, she's spot on. Same is true of Kane's, though Miner's is sweet music through-out. She's one bad-assed chick.
Spoiler alert: The ending is a bit wonky. Takes a moment to sort it all out and put things into perspective and then you feel a bit cheated as you realize, "okay, so most of that never really happened then, it's just his punishment?"
A must-see films for Christian Kane fans!
jksword0814 April 2014
Hide is different than you would expect from Christian Kane. It is really dark, but it shows how versatile of an actor he truly is. The man can do anything and do it exceptionally well. I would recommend this movie to all fans of Christian Kane but be prepared as it is violent and has a twist. You should watch Her Minor Thing with Christian Kane and then Hide to see how truly amazing he is. You may need to watch Hide more than once before it all makes sense as I missed a few things the first time. Christian Kane truly deserves much more recognition than he has received as he puts his heart and soul into everything he does and it shows.
Intriguing, until the script did a 180
joecarroll-632-58831815 February 2010
Warning: Spoilers
I really thought this move started out good, and it wasn't having any problems keeping me glued to the screen...And then the script did a complete 180. It was almost impossible to know what was going on by the end. The thing that gets me is, it didn't have to be that way. The story had a good premise, with plenty of different avenues to go, and the way it was handling Billy's character arc after Betty broke him out of prison was fun and original. In addition, I really wanted to see what they would do with the money, and if Billy would eventually be able to change Betty's outlook on life. Instead, it felt like a cop-out. Either that or they ran out of cash. For example, once they hit the abandoned town, they never left that location. Sure they go in the "diner" and the "church" but those were both pretty lame settings. This, as opposed to the first half of the movie were we go from a jail, to a motel, to a long country highway, to an old gas station in the middle of the desert. Maybe I'm just bummed out because it had so much potential, and it hits act 3 and just craps out. In all honesty, even after reading other people's opinions and input, the ending just doesn't add up for me. I mean, if the directors intent was to make us realize that Billy is really dead, and he has to constantly relive killing the people he loves, well then, the director did a awful job. I say this because, he's completely cu cu and insane by the time he's killing Betty. For god sakes, the guys smiling, and obviously enjoying it! If he is supposed to be in agony, stop having so much fun, and being so sadistic about it. I think it would have been more effective if he would have been more emotional (maybe if he cried while killing Betty.) Also, we don't actually get to see him kill her either, and I was really looking forward to it.
Just a side note, everyone else has mentioned the Tarantino style being evident, and I'm not going to argue that . But, I just want to say that Quentin doesn't have a copyright on witty dialogue mixed with gritty violence. That said, the whole not showing Betty getting killed, reminded me of the cutting the ear off scene in Reservoir Dogs, when the camera pans away instead of showing the act itself, except, in the case of Hide, it was completely ineffective. If your going to throw us a curve ball ending like that, at least let us see the hot blonde get stabbed to death.
Just a side note, everyone else has mentioned the Tarantino style being evident, and I'm not going to argue that . But, I just want to say that Quentin doesn't have a copyright on witty dialogue mixed with gritty violence. That said, the whole not showing Betty getting killed, reminded me of the cutting the ear off scene in Reservoir Dogs, when the camera pans away instead of showing the act itself, except, in the case of Hide, it was completely ineffective. If your going to throw us a curve ball ending like that, at least let us see the hot blonde get stabbed to death.
Can it be anymore simple?
tolbert12118 December 2009
Warning: Spoilers
I came to this site and read the reviews hoping to gain some insight into what the twist at the end was. There was no twist! He told you straight up what happened. The part that gets confusing is "when did he die?" He died when he was bouncing around the transport van.
Try it this way. She died in the shoot out, he went to jail. While being moved the transport van was in an accident and he died. His soul went to hell. For the rest of eternity his soul is in replay mode with the TWIST of her breaking him out instead of him dying in the car accident. To torture him he has to do bad things to the two people he loved in life, his sister and his Betty.
Anyone not willing to consider Hell or its tortures as a real possibility will have trouble catching that. The funny thing is that so many people that would watch this movie in the first place are so wrapped up in the fantasy of Hollywood that they fail to face the consequences of their own realities. Which is much the reason that the writers put this story together. The same reason why Billy was talking about small towns versus big cities.
Try it this way. She died in the shoot out, he went to jail. While being moved the transport van was in an accident and he died. His soul went to hell. For the rest of eternity his soul is in replay mode with the TWIST of her breaking him out instead of him dying in the car accident. To torture him he has to do bad things to the two people he loved in life, his sister and his Betty.
Anyone not willing to consider Hell or its tortures as a real possibility will have trouble catching that. The funny thing is that so many people that would watch this movie in the first place are so wrapped up in the fantasy of Hollywood that they fail to face the consequences of their own realities. Which is much the reason that the writers put this story together. The same reason why Billy was talking about small towns versus big cities.
Thoughts on "Hide"
ask_1215 July 2009
Hide was a very unique film; a mixture of both Romance and Horror. The actors were excellent (especially Christian Kane and Rachel Miner--a lot of chemistry) and they were what really made the film. The beautiful and desolate scenery in Argentina definitely added to the overall effect. The only problem with the movie (if it can be called a problem) is the convolution at the ending. It becomes a little difficult to follow near the end, but with a great deal of attention it is understandable. Of course, there is nothing wrong with a movie that forces you to think about it
All and all I think it is definitely worth seeing; Not a cookie-cutter movie.
Kane can do anything... (a bit of a spoiler)
KaniacJL6531 January 2015
Warning: Spoilers
After reading the reviews I was not expecting much from this movie. I will admit I was just watching it because I watch anything with Christian Kane in it. So I was very pleasantly surprised. I have always enjoyed his acting, but he blew me away in this role. How can an actor make you fall in love with such a horrible character? Some actors that portray characters like that can make you feel some sympathy or empathy for the character, but CK had a way of portraying Billy as such a lovable, evil character. When it was over all I could think was "only Christian could take what would have been a really bad movie and make it enjoyable." The story was a bit predictable, I mean, come on, we all knew that was his Momma. Some scenes were hard to watch, but really not that gruesome. There were some pretty suspenseful scenes toward the end that had me yelling at the computer screen - really I was yelling at Betty for being dumb. lol I don't understand why people have said they were confused by the ending. Billy told you what was going on very plainly: he was right where he said he was going throughout the movie. Not much about this movie really shines except for Christian's portrayal of Billy. Even a mediocre movie could not hide CK's talent. I do believe it is a must see for any Kaniac.
Low Budget Film with Excellent Writing (Plot twist explained)
SierraSugar5 October 2019
Warning: Spoilers
As much as I love Christian Kane I was skeptical about watching "Hide" after reading some of the reviews. I'm glad I threw off my doubts and watched anyway. I will admit the beginning is a little slow. But make the effort to pay attention to some of the details, it'll pay off in the end. And if you stick it out past the first 5-10 minutes, like me, you should find yourself engrossed in the unfolding story and wondering how it is all going to end. Will they go out in a blaze of glory? Will they make to freedom? Or is there something else in store. The scenery in some parts is truly breathtaking. And a lot of the dialog makes one stop to contemplate the realities of life - good and evil. That is not to say the film isn't without faults, but the overall takeaway was this is a low-budget film with excellent acting and plot to make you stop and think.
Hide is a dark psychological thriller with obvious throwbacks to Bonnie and Clyde, Natural Born Killers, and earlier Tarantino, as has been pointed out by many other reviews. The main character, Billy, is played by actor/country music artist Christian Kane. Honestly, I feel it showcases his acting quite well. Throughout the film, we get to see different sides of Billy. At one point I wondered was he suffering from D.I.D. or perhaps Bi-polar, in addition to the obvious sociopathic and psychopathic traits of a serial killer. CK is able to manifest these traits subtly enough to make them feel believable. Far too often low budget and even high budget Hollywood films portray these traits as over the top and exaggerated. The only thing exaggerated in Hide is perhaps the accents, particularly Rachel Miner's (Betty). If I had one complaint about the whole film it would be her accent and the incessant use of "Baby".
Between the hidden tips to the plot/twist, and the time jumps between present day, recent past, and distant past of Billy's life, this is a film you must pay attention to. As a psychological thriller, it is written to make the viewer stop and think.
( MAJOR SPOILER ALERT STARTING NOW )
You may think you know, but it really isn't what it appears. Those that have watched the TV show "Lucifer" will most likely understand the plot twist right away. Hide was produced before Lucifer, however, Lucifer was based on an old DC comic, which was based on a graphic novel by Neil Gaiman. Point being, the concept for the twist has been around.
If you still don't understand the ending here's a summary: Seven years earlier, the opening scene in the diner, Betty died in the shootout. Billy was sent to prison. Seven years later he was being transferred when the prison van was struck by another vehicle. This is when Billy dies. Everything past this point, the entire rest of the movie, is Billy's time in "Hell" living his life and death over and over. His torture is doing horrible things to those he loves unable to stop himself. Throughout the movie, Billy says things that will give you hints to understanding the plot twist. He even has a conversation with a dog, hound of hell, about the need for chains in order to keep the evil inside under control. You have to understand that he is dead and in hell to understand the ending. The ending is not another flashback, but a reset on his life to live over again, and again, and again. The Hell is of his own design, his own guilt and psychological torture based on the way he lived his life.
Hide is a dark psychological thriller with obvious throwbacks to Bonnie and Clyde, Natural Born Killers, and earlier Tarantino, as has been pointed out by many other reviews. The main character, Billy, is played by actor/country music artist Christian Kane. Honestly, I feel it showcases his acting quite well. Throughout the film, we get to see different sides of Billy. At one point I wondered was he suffering from D.I.D. or perhaps Bi-polar, in addition to the obvious sociopathic and psychopathic traits of a serial killer. CK is able to manifest these traits subtly enough to make them feel believable. Far too often low budget and even high budget Hollywood films portray these traits as over the top and exaggerated. The only thing exaggerated in Hide is perhaps the accents, particularly Rachel Miner's (Betty). If I had one complaint about the whole film it would be her accent and the incessant use of "Baby".
Between the hidden tips to the plot/twist, and the time jumps between present day, recent past, and distant past of Billy's life, this is a film you must pay attention to. As a psychological thriller, it is written to make the viewer stop and think.
( MAJOR SPOILER ALERT STARTING NOW )
You may think you know, but it really isn't what it appears. Those that have watched the TV show "Lucifer" will most likely understand the plot twist right away. Hide was produced before Lucifer, however, Lucifer was based on an old DC comic, which was based on a graphic novel by Neil Gaiman. Point being, the concept for the twist has been around.
If you still don't understand the ending here's a summary: Seven years earlier, the opening scene in the diner, Betty died in the shootout. Billy was sent to prison. Seven years later he was being transferred when the prison van was struck by another vehicle. This is when Billy dies. Everything past this point, the entire rest of the movie, is Billy's time in "Hell" living his life and death over and over. His torture is doing horrible things to those he loves unable to stop himself. Throughout the movie, Billy says things that will give you hints to understanding the plot twist. He even has a conversation with a dog, hound of hell, about the need for chains in order to keep the evil inside under control. You have to understand that he is dead and in hell to understand the ending. The ending is not another flashback, but a reset on his life to live over again, and again, and again. The Hell is of his own design, his own guilt and psychological torture based on the way he lived his life.
Fresh Eyes & No Expectations
geckoejg8 March 2010
Warning: Spoilers
If you want to believe in this movie and enjoy it you will need two things- two things you should have before watching any movie; fresh eyes and no expectations. By fresh eyes I mean not. And by no expectations I mean not expecting too much of an actor and assuming something about them because of a previous role you've seen them in. If you do this then you will be able to form your own opinion.
This film was by no means a Tarentino rip off and does not try to be.
The script is fantastic, I especially loved the banter between Christian Kane's 'Billy Ray' and Rachel Miner's 'Betty' in the opening scene at the diner. This very easily could have been an ill-fated love story, taking queues from Bonnie & Clyde. But there is a bigger picture to consider- karma. At first it seems Billy is having trouble running from the law because he had learnt from his mistakes and didn't want to make any more. We later find out that the story we're seeing is a version of Billy's own Hell, in which he tortures and kills the ones he loves. This only becomes clear at the end of the film- a surprising twist but perhaps more could have been given away to let the audience know that what we were watching was not in fact the truth.
Before this film I had never heard of Rachel Miner or seen her in anything (except for a small stint as a demon in Supernatural- not enough to form any opinion of her acting ability) but I thought she was great in this film. I had no issue with her Southern accent. The thing I loved about her performance was the amount of excitement she gave Betty. Betty was excited about life, it may not be the best life and she's seen a million dirt roads, but that excitement in her voice and on her face never fades.
Christian Kane was brilliant in this film. I've never seen a performance of his I didn't like, but this one in particular really blew me away. He commands attention as Billy, whether he's holding a gun or not you want to know what he's going to do. I personally love unpredictable characters like Billy who is having a normal conversation one minute and shooting up a storm the next.
I really liked Hide, but the one thing I would change is the sudden ending and plot twist. It ends too soon and doesn't give the audience that small amount of time to register what has happened while it's still happening. But apart from that, I found this film to be a great one. If nothing else, watch it for the on-screen dynamic between Miner and Kane.
This film was by no means a Tarentino rip off and does not try to be.
The script is fantastic, I especially loved the banter between Christian Kane's 'Billy Ray' and Rachel Miner's 'Betty' in the opening scene at the diner. This very easily could have been an ill-fated love story, taking queues from Bonnie & Clyde. But there is a bigger picture to consider- karma. At first it seems Billy is having trouble running from the law because he had learnt from his mistakes and didn't want to make any more. We later find out that the story we're seeing is a version of Billy's own Hell, in which he tortures and kills the ones he loves. This only becomes clear at the end of the film- a surprising twist but perhaps more could have been given away to let the audience know that what we were watching was not in fact the truth.
Before this film I had never heard of Rachel Miner or seen her in anything (except for a small stint as a demon in Supernatural- not enough to form any opinion of her acting ability) but I thought she was great in this film. I had no issue with her Southern accent. The thing I loved about her performance was the amount of excitement she gave Betty. Betty was excited about life, it may not be the best life and she's seen a million dirt roads, but that excitement in her voice and on her face never fades.
Christian Kane was brilliant in this film. I've never seen a performance of his I didn't like, but this one in particular really blew me away. He commands attention as Billy, whether he's holding a gun or not you want to know what he's going to do. I personally love unpredictable characters like Billy who is having a normal conversation one minute and shooting up a storm the next.
I really liked Hide, but the one thing I would change is the sudden ending and plot twist. It ends too soon and doesn't give the audience that small amount of time to register what has happened while it's still happening. But apart from that, I found this film to be a great one. If nothing else, watch it for the on-screen dynamic between Miner and Kane.
Christian Kane and Rachel Miner rocked this movie!
vickimurf21 August 2021
I just watched it for a second time. Christian is so compelling. Was going to stop before it got to the end but I watched all the way through. Picked up a few things missed the first time. This is very dark compared to what I normally watch but was worth it.
Good but confused
bnjv0927 February 2010
Warning: Spoilers
I thought the actors where excellent. I love the character Betty, the actress played her so well. She is not a glamorous character, her clothes hair makeup etc all defined her character. Her acting was perfect for this part. Have to say that I am so confused- Did Betty die that day like Billy's character said? or did he mean that she was dead to him that day? ??
Are all the events after his break out real or not? Because he is telling the story, but by his story, he did in the van accident! SO how is he telling the story?
If I could just be told that he did or didn't die in the van then i could connect it all up, but without that being clear Im torn either way. I love that he hot his mum though
Are all the events after his break out real or not? Because he is telling the story, but by his story, he did in the van accident! SO how is he telling the story?
If I could just be told that he did or didn't die in the van then i could connect it all up, but without that being clear Im torn either way. I love that he hot his mum though
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