‘The Vanishing’

Psychological thrillers are only as effective as their villains, and this 1993 film has a magnificent one. Barney Cousins is his name and, as played by Jeff Bridges (pictured), he is an only-too-believable maniac. Bridges’ Barney is a college chemistry professor in the Pacific Northwest, a loving father and faithful husband, a man you could pass on the street without feeling mortal danger. Directed by George Sluizer, who also directed the original 1988 Dutch version. With Nancy Travis and Kiefer Sutherland (HBO Monday at 4:15 a.m.).