The episode argues that the 1993 The Vanishing is an unfairly maligned, highly rewatchable thriller built around a deeply weird Jeff Bridges performance, a strong premise, and a tense opening stretch that turns an ordinary disappearance into a nightmare. The hosts favor the remake’s entertainment value over fidelity to the Dutch original and repeatedly praise its oddity, escalation, and star power.
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01Jeff Bridges’ bizarre, committed performance as Barney is treated as the movie’s main attraction. About 8 min
02The first 10–25 minutes are described as especially rewatchable because they establish Barney’s disturbing abduction prep and the couple’s gas-station breakup. About 24 min
03Kiefer Sutherland and Sandra Bullock provide energized star power before their breakout fame fully lands. About 8 min
04The premise is simple and effective: a girlfriend vanishes at a gas station and the story keeps escalating the nightmare. Opening minutes
05The movie’s dark, weird set pieces—especially the coffin sequence and the confrontational car ride—are memorable and replayable. About 32 min
WHAT DID NOT WORK
Their main criticisms
moderateThe American remake ending is seen as a compromise compared with the original’s bleak ending. About 8 min
minorBarney’s accent and general realism are absurd, even by the hosts’ tolerant standards. About 8 min
moderateRita’s commitment to Jeff feels implausible, especially after his increasingly suspicious behavior. About 40 min
moderateSome plot mechanics strain credibility, including the burial logistics and certain police-response beats. About 1:12
SCENES THEY KEPT COMING BACK TO
Standout moments
Favorite
Barney’s abduction-prep opening
The first stretch follows Barney rehearsing his chloroform kidnapping method and establishes his creepiness immediately.
Opening minutes Favorite
Gas-station fight and disappearance
Jeff and Diane argue, stop for gas, and Diane vanishes, which the hosts treat as the movie’s core hook.
About 24 min Favorite
Jeff’s voicemail and beatdown
Barney appears, Jeff confronts him, and the ensuing beating is both bizarre and intense.
About 32 min Favorite
Car ride with Barney and the cop stop
Jeff rides with Barney after the attack, the cops stop them, and Barney’s calm menace escalates the tension.
About 32 min Favorite
Coffin wake-up
Jeff wakes buried alive in a coffin, which the hosts describe as a major fear-inducing set piece.
About 48 min positive
Rita cracks the code and confronts Jeff
Rita follows the clues to Jeff’s command post and realizes how deep his obsession goes.
About 40 min positive
Final shovel ending
The movie ends with Rita turning the tables and killing Barney with a shovel.
About 56 min
WHERE THEY DISAGREED
The biggest debates
They partly agreed About 8 min
Should the remake have kept the original bleak ending?
Bill Simmons
The studio-imposed happier ending is weaker and less bold.
Chris Ryan
The original ending has more artistic force, but the remake still has appeal.
They agreed About 48 min
Is remaking foreign films acceptable?
Bill Simmons
It can work when the remake brings a fresh angle, but this one mostly matters because of its cast and weirdness.
Chris Ryan
He is generally okay with remaking foreign films he would not otherwise watch.
They agreed About 8 min
Could the film work today as horror?
Bill Simmons
A modern version would likely make Barney a much more explicit serial killer.
Chris Ryan
A contemporary version would probably be pushed into horror or prestige-TV territory.
No final agreement About 56 min
What happened to Rita and Jeff after the ending?
Bill Simmons
They would likely be exposed by police and family questions immediately.
Chris Ryan
The movie skips many consequences that would exist in reality.
14 People discussedActors, directors, writers, and producers
