The Strangers

Filmmaker Bryan Bertino makes a strong directorial debut with The Strangers, the latest mainstream slasher to hit US cinemas. Bryan also wrote the script, which is supposedly "inspired by true events". Though I don't think anything has been officially revealed, many speculate that the "true events" the film refers to are the Charles Manson murders, more specifically the ones that took place at Keddie Resort. Either way, studios like to throw that phrase around, hoping to get the crowed that loves a good "true story." If you really think about it, pretty much any horror film that involves killing can use the same line and say it's based on some murder in real life.

The premise follows a young couple just getting back from a wedding reception. Awkwardness fills the car, as it's obvious that they just finished a big fight, making their trip home a quiet one. Once there, the silence between them continues, at least, until a strange woman starts banging the door at 4 A.M. asking for someone who obviously doesn't live there. It's not long before a couple more masked strangers enter the home and begin to terrorize the couple. The rest of the movie is just a fight for survival, with hopes of making it to the next day in one piece.

Although obviously set in present day, the movie gave off a gritty 70's vibe, and relied mostly on a lot of suspense and loud noises to keep the viewers shaking in their seats. Halloween did it best, but The Strangers offered a lot of great scenes where one of the villains would be watching from a distance with only their mask somewhat visible in the darkness. Being a survival flick with only two leads to root for, there's not a whole lot in terms of gore. Like I said before, this is more of a play on whom or what's out there, lurking in the shadows, as opposed to straight-out slicing and dicing kind of slasher.

Many have compared it to a recent genre effort from France entitled Them (Ils), being that it also followed a couple terrorized by a group of hooded individuals, with some minor differences. However, I personally felt the style of the movie itself seemed more similar to Vacancy, which was another gritty, fast-paced suspenseful slasher that I enjoyed. The movie ended a bit hasty and I have to admit I was a left a little unsatisfied. However, I'm pleased that we never actually see the stranger's faces' as it would have taken away from the mystery and creepiness behind them.

The Strangers is a unique film to come out of mainstream Hollywood recently, considering the cinemas are mostly flooded with remakes, while the DVD market is being heavily hit by needless sequels. It's good to see that there are movies out there still trying to keep old-school horror alive. Here's hoping for a sequel!

OVERALL

The film relies on a lot of suspenseful scenes, loud sounds, and the mystery behind the strangers to keep us watching. Offering a gritty 70's vibe and a few creepy villains, the movie is a solid addition to mainstream horror. Give this a check.

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If adding spoilers be considerate to others and put a spoiler warning.

Tom :

Posted 8 days ago

Scott Speedman and Liv Tyler were completely miscast here, but more appropriate leads would not have saved this film. Anyone with atleast 5 years of solid horror watching time would know exactly what is going to happen minutes before it does, which makes for a truly tedious and boring viewing experience. Quite frankly I'm surprised this film was recieved as well as it was by the critics, following the general plot outline of both "Funny Games" and a little french thriller made a few years ago called "Them"(both superior films), there are no surprises here. This is just my opinion of course, but I couldn't help but notice that my views seemed to have been shared by the entire crowd that occupied the theater with me. The first 20 some odd minutes of this movie (before it succumbs to predictability.. again, and again, and again) could have been made as a short about a married couple struggeling to keep it together and it would have probably garnered more praise.

rangerdave :

Posted 20 days ago

Was a reflection of the 1970's/80's horror flicks. Didn't need a great deal of unnecessary deaths, nudity, teenage outings or predictable villains. Very intense and haunting. Relied on shadows and loud thumps.
The villains and the whole mask thing, was great, also. The way the villains moved in and out of the shadows, was very cool. That was spooky.
The movie was short and to the point. More horror flicks, should have these qualities. Makes me want to do research on these murders.

Steven :

Posted 46 days ago

I went into this movie with really low expectations but was pleasantly surprised and actually enjoyed it. Yeah, there were predictable parts, but overall it was an entertaining movie.

Patti H :

Posted 71 days ago

I discovered first hand how funny horror films ( especially this one ) are when you have had way too many ... tail. I think it would have sacred the crap out of me had I been sober...but instead I couldnt stop laughing. Every "fright" made me laugh even harder.

Vlad Hellsing :

Posted 77 days ago

I just finished watching it and I did like it as a horror film. It needed more torture and more mutilation and was a little predictable, but all in all it was still a good film. It kinda reminded me of Alice Sweet Alice meets The Town that dreaded Sundown meets Scream. I enjoyed this movie and it will join my collection.

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