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Kiefer Sutherland’s Creepiest Role: ‘Freeway’ Serial Killer Bob Wolverton

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Kiefer Sutherland initially showcased an intimidating on-screen presence through his breakout role in the 1986 drama movie “Stand by Me”. In this film, he delivered a chilling portrayal of Ace Merrill, a menacing teenager who convincingly threatened to harm one or more of the story’s 12-year-old characters with a switchblade. Following his performance in “Stand by Me”, Sutherland continued to impress with his captivating acting as David, the manipulative leader of a motorcycle gang of ruthless vampires, in the 1987 horror movie “The Lost Boys”.

Although Sutherland is widely recognized for his portrayal of Jack Bauer in the 24 series, it could be said that his most outstanding career performance can be found in the 1996 dark comedy thriller film Freeway, where he plays Bob Wolverton, a seemingly kind school counselor who forms a friendship with a rebellious teenage runaway (portrayed by Reese Witherspoon). However, as the story unfolds, it is revealed that Bob is actually a sinister serial killer.

Instead of the numerous repulsive villainous roles Sutherland has portrayed over his career, it’s delightful to witness his brilliantly loathsome performance in Freeway. This is because early scenes in the movie depict Bob as seemingly kind-hearted, subtly winning the trust of Witherspoon’s character, much like the Big Bad Wolf lures Little Red Riding Hood.

Kiefer Sutherland Plays a Gleefully Sadistic Psychopath in ‘Freeway’

Kiefer Sutherland consistently delivers compelling performances by taking on serious roles, even in bizarre scenarios. His chilling portrayal of serial killer Bob Wolverton in “Freeway” stands out, as his character initially appears friendly and comforting to Reese Witherspoon’s character, Vanessa, an abused teenage runaway. However, this facade quickly shatters when it is revealed that Bob is a ruthless serial killer, known as the “I-5 Killer,” who later tries to assault and kill Vanessa.

In a striking display of versatility, Sutherland’s character shines most remarkably following the resourceful act by Vanessa where she shoots Bob multiple times, leaving him injured but miraculously alive. The grotesquely disfigured Bob transforms into a darkly comical symbol of exploitation and hypocrisy. Accompanied by his socialite wife, Mimi portrayed by Brooke Shields, Bob embarks on a self-righteous campaign against the indulgence of characters like Vanessa, who he deems as “human waste”. However, when it is unveiled that Bob himself is a serial killer, a shocked Mimi takes her own life. In an eerie echo of the Big Bad Wolf’s actions from Little Red Riding Hood, Bob then focuses his attention on Vanessa’s grandmother.

‘Freeway’ Is a Modern Retelling of ‘Little Red Riding Hood’

In Freeway, I truly immerse myself into Kiefer Sutherland’s portrayal of the Big Bad Wolf-esque character, Bob Wolverton. This modern twist on Little Red Riding Hood unfolds in an underprivileged area of Los Angeles, where the protagonist, Vanessa, resides amidst her abusive stepfather and prostitute mother. Following their arrest, Vanessa decides to flee in her mother’s rundown car, aiming for her grandmother in Stockton. However, when her vehicle breaks down on a highway outside LA, I’m the one who offers her a ride – intending to drive her to her destination.

Before her memorable comedic roles in movies like “Election,” “Legally Blonde,” and “Sweet Home Alabama,” Vanessa displays self-assuredness and command in the film “Freeway.” This is particularly evident when she faces Bob’s menacing threat. After escaping her violent altercation with Bob, seemingly leaving him for dead, a Vanessa covered in blood nonchalantly walks into a nearby diner to ask for breakfast.

In contrast to her naive, woodland-fairy tale counterpart, Vanessa is a tough, fearless, and profane protagonist who constantly outwits Bob in their bizarrely intricate game of cat-and-mouse. Reece Witherspoon’s breakout role in Freeway is beautifully matched by Kiefer Sutherland’s captivatingly detestable portrayal of Bob, to whom Vanessa snarls, “Those are some rather large and unsightly teeth you have there, Bob,” during their climactic face-off.

Sutherland Has Played Many Memorable Villains in His 40-Year-Long Career

Kiefer Sutherland’s on-screen villain character is often characterized by his deep, straightforward voice, such as in the 2002 thriller film Phone Booth, where he played a lethal sniper whose tension-building lines were mostly delivered from an almost invisible character. However, Sutherland’s portrayal of Bob Wolverton in the movie Freeway demonstrates his versatility as an actor by stretching beyond this persona and displaying a wider range.

Through Sutherland’s exceptional acting, the character Bob is transformed into a comically inspired persona. In this film, the distasteful aspects of “Freeway” are presented as black comedy and biting satire. This is particularly evident when Reese Witherspoon’s character, Vanessa, alters Bob into a grotesque figure, serving as a target for her twisted sense of humor. Sutherland’s skill in making Bob both laughable and terrifying was commended by critic Roger Ebert, who praised the performance in his glowing review of “Freeway.” Ebert remarked that:

– Bob is transformed into a comically inspired persona.
– The film presents the distasteful aspects as black comedy and satire.
– This transformation is particularly evident when Reese Witherspoon’s character, Vanessa, alters Bob into a grotesque figure.
– Sutherland’s skill in making Bob both laughable and terrifying was commended by critic Roger Ebert.
– Ebert praised the performance in his glowing review of “Freeway.

In an extraordinary performance, Sutherland surpasses his previous villain roles by portraying Bob in such a manner that the gunshot wounds he received didn’t actually kill him. Instead, he was left with injuries in the most troublesome spots imaginable. The medical team pieced him back together into a grotesque figure resembling a Halloween monster, whose face was destroyed by gunfire, who can barely talk due to his condition, and who smokes through an opening in his neck. His other afflictions and amputations are too distressing to detail.

Freeway is streaming for free on Tubi, Pluto TV, Sling TV, Plex, and CW.

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2025-04-23 03:02

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