In this gripping film noir directed by Robert Aldrich, a hard-boiled private detective named Mike Hammer becomes embroiled in a dangerous mystery after picking up a hitchhiking woman on a deserted highway. As he delves deeper into the case, he uncovers a web of intrigue involving a mysterious and deadly object that many are willing to kill for. The movie stars Ralph Meeker as the relentless detective, delivering a performance that captures the gritty essence of the genre. Notably, the film is recognized for its innovative storytelling and has been influential in the noir genre. For those interested, it can be viewed for free on 123Movies / Movies123.