OMG "The Hitcher" (1986) - I'm Still Shook!

Okay, so I just watched "The Hitcher" (the original from '86, not that remake, ew) and I'm still trying to process everything! Like, seriously, my palms were sweating the entire time. Rutger Hauer as John Ryder? Absolutely terrifying. His eyes... they just stared into my soul. I actually jumped when he first appeared in the car with Jim Halsey. I swear, I almost had a heart attack! I get the whole 'cat and mouse' thing, but the sheer psychological torment Ryder puts Jim through is just brutal. Poor C. Thomas Howell! Talk about being in the wrong place at the wrong time. And Jennifer Jason Leigh... I'm not gonna lie, I was screaming at the TV when she got involved. That scene with the trucks... I had to look away for a second. Way too intense! What I don't completely understand is... why Jim? Ryder says he wants to be stopped, but is that really it? Was Jim just completely random, or did Ryder see something in him? I've read some articles about the symbolism in the film, but I'm curious to hear what you all think. Was Ryder testing Jim? And did anyone else find themselves almost sympathizing with Ryder at certain points? Maybe it's messed up, but I kinda did. He was clearly a broken…thing. Please tell me I'm not alone in feeling deeply conflicted. 😬 Okay, so many feelings, so many questions! What part of the movie freaked you out the most? Let's talk about it!