This is the true story of a man and a gun and a car…so opens The Hitch-Hiker (1953). Directed and penned by Ida Lupino, the film pares noir down to its essentials — shadowy cinematography, a psychological view of violence, and grim suspense that sinks into your very being. Two men going on a fishing trip pick up a killer hitchhiker and are brought to the brink through his games. With much more to it than initially meets the eye, The Hitch-Hiker is a landmark not only because it is the only true noir directed by a woman, but also for its place in early independent filmmaking. Its influence in style, story, and production can still be seen today.