The Strangers
| release date | May 30 2008 |
| studio | Rogue Pictures |
| director | Bryan Bertino |
| writer | Bryan Bertino |
| starring | Gemma Ward, Liv Tyler, Scott Speedman |
| rating | R |
| site | thestrangers.net |
| trailer 1 | Trailer #1 |
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Let me start off by saying that I’ve been anticipating this movie for a long time and I was hoping that if I didn’t get a good scare out of it that at least I would like the movie. What I got in fact was an intense, gripping, and truly terrifying film. After about a half hour in, the movie carried the suspense like the opening of the first “Scream” film. There are a lot of things in the movie that remind me of “Inside” and “Them”, which usually bugs me, but if the movie can scare me I can deal with it. It had the perfect blend of jump scares, suspense, and unsettling feelings. The unanswered questions make it all the more scary too.
Some people might argue the unoriginality of the movie, but I would recommend this film to anyone looking for a good scare. Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman do a really good job, which is nice to see some legitamite actors in a horror film for once. They show remorse over the loss of their friend, instead of just getting up and shrugging it off like its a “Final Destination” movie. Also, which to me is incredibly important it to me is that we actually care for them. You want to see them make it out alive.
In the end, I was expecting a run-of-the-mill slasher, but what I personally got out of it was a lot more. Not once did I check my phone or even acknowledge any one else in the theater. Everyone else had a blast with it by the way too, screaming, heckling, and really having a good time with it, which is the true meaning of going to the movies.
So we were fairly pleased to see the initial ‘retro style’ poster way back in January for THE STRANGERS, even though the story sounded a hell of a lot like the French film ILS, aka THEM from 2006. Then we saw the trailer and thought, “Hey, looks like it could be really creepy”. Not gory or fantastical, but a tight little thriller that might give us pause when our heads hit the pillow, wondering if we remembered to lock the door. Well… I don’t even remember getting into bed after watching this film.
THE STRANGERS is the very small story of James (Scott Speedman) and Kristen (Liv Tyler), spending the night in a somewhat isolated summer house after attending a wedding reception. They are terrorized by three strangers in masks. To tell you any more of the plot would give away what little there is that you havn’t already gleamed from the trailer. Obviously, people in weird masks are scary.
At first I was really feeling it. There’s a built in tension that I felt was played very well before we get to ‘the strangers’, and the initial reactions to these possible intruders gave me a bit of hope that we were not going to fall into the trap of jeopardy due to the protagonists idiotic actions. YES! If you’re alone and you thing a weirdo is hanging around outside your isolated summer home, for god sakes grab a kitchen knife. Yay, common sense prevails… but unfortunately it doesn’t last.
Yes, there a few ‘jump out of your seat’ moments and there were squeals from the audience when suddenly one of these masked strangers appeared in a window or slowly wondered into frame while our protagonists stood nearby unawares… but that was it. Soon enough I was calling all the typical mistakes and seemingly necessary scenes from countless movies where the writing isn’t strong enough to convince us that if we were in the same situation we would have easily escaped 30 minutes into the movie. First there’s ‘you stay here while I go here’. Really? You’re fairly sure there are ax murderers outside your front door, but I’m going to leave the woman I love alone in the house while I go do ‘whatever’. Then there was the pre-requisite of where our heroine must trip and fall when running away, twisting her ankle and forcing her to hobble around for the rest of the film. And of course there’s the friend who unawares stumbles in the fray… godspeed to you our slight chance at rescue!
On top of these cliches, we’re given villains without a bit of personality or reason for their actions, not that it matters when our protagonists don’t have the common sense God gave a rock.
Telling us it was “inspired by true events” only convinced me of the old adage “Don’t let the facts get in the way of a good story.”
I have this strange fear of people just randomly coming into my house and killing me..well thats exactly what this movie plays on.
We went to a screening of this movie on Tuesday night here in St Louis, and let me tell you first and foremost..do not take your children to this movie. Its rated R first off, so that should be your first clue..its also very creepy.
Let me also tell you that this movie is not your typical horror/slasher type movie. The killers do not have super human strength, they arent able to walk while you run and end up beating you to where you are going. They are just normal(well normal for psychopathic killers) everyday people who have set out to harass random people. Liv Tyler asks several times throughout the movie “Why are you doing this to us?” and she finally gets an answer at the end, “Because you were home”. This movie also never features any of the feel good happy times that you get from other horror movies. Also, most horror movies start out with the “good times” and then eventually things go horribly wrong. Well `The Strangers’ is a big huge depressing movie from the get go. The trailer makes you believe that the main characters are on a love retreat to a cabin/house in the middle of no where, however that isnt true. From the opening scene they are barely talking because Kristen(Tyler) wasnt ready to get married. The trailer also splices together sentences to make you have a different feeling about the couple, and you quickly realize this in the movie.
The movie is scary, and there are a few scenes that you jump..or scream like a little girl and those are worth it. It gets a bit tiring watching them constantly running from the killers, but thats any slasher flick right? If you are into scary movies about killers who break into your home for no reason at all..you will like this movie
http://hackslashdead.com
Best horror movie in the last 25 years.
I didn’t see the movie. I just wanted to see if this thing worked.
This was a Great movie! Was pretty much original and the climax was bold (resolution was same-o same-o). The antagonists were really scary and the film was really creepy. They gave no back story to villains which was brilliant . . .let the audience use their imagination for once. The middle dragged a bit but besides that it’s worth a viewing.
this movie was AWESOME!!!
I just got from the movie few mins ago and although i didnt scream or jump like the rest of the crowd, this was one hell of a fun time. This is a pure popcorn and bring ur girl to the movies film. This def played on anticipation and build ups and by god did it pay off. about 80% of the film was anticipation and build and the other 20% of the film was the actual action and scares. The end was. . . interesting, but of course the very very end had to have that last little “AAAHHHH!” moment but for some reason no one saw it coming. so over all this was a great movie, a great original rated R movie for that. This movie is not to be missed, no its not one of the greatest movies of all time but it is one of the better movies of the year and deserves to make as much cash in the theatre as it can apposed to DVD sales.
~Martyr-X
well, i just got home from seeing The Strangers. it was as good as can be expected. there were quite a few jumpy moments in it, a couple of somewhat scarey parts. not too gorey (not to me, at least). the ending was slightly dissapointing, though. i wont say anything about it.
i think the best part about this movie, is the fact that i live a little into the woods, and my yard is exactly the same set-up as the one in the movie! creepy! i keep looking out there and thinking they’re gonna come break down my door!!!!
i recomend going to see it with a friend, because that just seems to bring out even more scariness in the movie.
overall, it was ok. it was one of the better horror movies ive seen in a while. though i cant understand WHY the ‘strangers’ were doing what they did.
maybe i missed out on that part? who knows.
go see it, and have fun!
This movie is awesome. It is totally full of suspence. It is definatly a movie that keeps you on the edge of your set. The ending is not what I expected, but wasn’t what I would call a bad ending. I would call it a “must see”.
Amazingly scary. Made me jump, and even scream a few times. It was what horror movies should be, scary. Lots of newer movies are not scary at all, but this was. I loved it.
So I just got back from watching the movie. It’s better than all the other shit that’s been coming out lately. At least it’s not another remake. It has a lot of suspense which wasn’t too bad the only thing that sucks in a way is that you never find out who they are. Which clearly shows there’s going to be a sequel. And in the true spirit of horror…. The white girl trips and falls while attempting to run and the movie was less than 2 hours……….And the ending kinda killed the fun.
I saw the movie last night and thought it was damn good. Sure, it had its moments when you get totally frustrated at the characters and wish they’d employ some common sense but honestly that would’ve made a boring and quick movie. I can overlook a lot of “why the hell did they do that” moments as long as i’m entertained.
I thought that the scares were interesting and well thought out…even the jump scares felt thought out nicely.
I was thoroughly entertained and for the first time in a long time I felt like I was actually watching a “scary” movie at the theater.
What a dissapointment. Based on actual events..I had a hard time believing that these two didn’nt put up a better fight!? I found myslef becoming too frustrated with their lack of common sense and sense of urgency to get out of there and run. The pace never really picked up for me. I wanted to like it so bad..oh well.
This film was SO much better than most recent horror films and on par with the great releases the French and Australians have put out lately(such as Ils (Them), which this is almost a remake of, and Wolf Creek). How can the Bloody Disgusting reviewers say there is little originality here, when they praise terrible films like Cabin Fever and Saw, which are blatant rip-offs of other films, boring, and not scary? This may not be original, but it is atmospheric, makes you jump, and creeps you out!
I really gotta say i can see why half the people on here didn’t like this movie, cause these people didn’t do exactly what you thought they should do in this exact situation. But this movie had me on the edge the whole time and very few movies do that, i haven’t actually felt scared or paranoid in a long time after seeing a movie, the silence, that record player, all that shit, it felt like halloween again, with the no background to the killer (killers) and the no reason for really killing… The movie lacked some originality, yet it compensated it with all the interesting approaches ( there wasn’t exactly one happy moment or relief, and that i thought was a risk and loves it!).. i think the movie was pretty sick and gotta say for the first time in a while i went to sleep somewhat nervous about my surroundings.
you know, i haven’t seen it yet. but i will see it.
by myself someday….oh I’m sure it will be very good and bloody!!!
wasnt so bad
o
loved it! its right behind The Ruins as my favorite american release of the year.
wow..the whole theatre was silent during this movie..it was that scary..one of the best horror moviesx this year..yes it did remind me of alot of other horror movies of the years before but hey..it’s still a great movie.
I Enjoyed this Movie A lot. It had it’s slow moments but non the less it was fantastic. Worth a viewing
This movie was definitely scary and worth watching, but I felt like it had a lot of suspense that lead to nothing.
I had to roll my eyes at the end, Hollywood horror movies always leave just enough loose knots to warrant a sequel. The only way this movie would benefit from a sequel is at the bank.
*Spoiler warning* SHE MOST LIKELY DIED BECAUSE OF HER WOUNDS AFTER THE SCREAM….
*END SPOILER!!*
Great movie I was literally laughing when the scene that was shown in the poster with Mr.smiley(or Man-In-Mask in credits) in the background happened because it was so funny that it happened great movie fucking scary and nice touches on the blood all I can say is “it will be easier next time”
The Strangers as you would guess by now is about a couple who is terrified by a trio of home invaders while they are at their summer retreat for a night. The following for the next hour and a half is rather slow and suspenceful, as most of it is Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman being stalked by Babydoll, Pinup and Man In The Sack. Now, another thing that I must point out is that alot of the scares are noise oriented and have to do alot with popping out while the character is focused on looking at something. But, there are some subtle scares, such as the clip that was used in the trailer with Liv Tyler standing around while the Man In The Sack walks into frame, when that scene came up half the audience in the theatre screamed in terror.
The idea of three complete strangers breaking into your home with no reason for harming you or your loved ones has to be one of the creepiest thing that can go through your mind, let alone the idea of them all wearing masks as they did in the movie is the last thing that would actually be contemplated in this thought. My only complaint as that the main emotional conflict between Liv and Scott is pretty much left open ended and not really that helpful and only comes into effect at the end of the movie, but it’s too late to save anything that it was going for. Also, there are somethings that happen in the movie that they assume you are going to forget about until later in the film, such as Scott’s friend stopping by to pick them up, the idea of that coming back to haunt them went through my mind a couple times around before it actually happened and when it did it was predictable as to what was happening at the end of the sequence. Again, the scares are mainly based on everything going quiet and then having something pop and make a loud noise such as when Liv is attacked by the Man In The Sack, there’s a moment where she’s looking around and is looking quite relaxed, when all of a sudden out from behind the corner pops the M.I.T.S. and grabs her with a loud yelp from Liv and a couple of crashes and bangs.
Also, be forewarned, there are alot of scares and plot devices that are straight from the book of Horror Movie Making 101, but they are too many to list off. However, these rules and plot devices are done superbly to an extent and I feel could have even been applied with a little bit more suspense then it really would have had something going for it. Which brings me to my next point, this movie will actually scare you. I myself do not get scared by movies, however, this is one of the few horror movies that’s brought me to the verge of screaming in terror, alot of the times I was grabbing my chest and letting exclaimation’s like ‘Whoa’ when ever I had a rush of adrenaline get flushed through my body. So for actually scaring me I actually give this movie high marks, but not full, only until I scream in terror do I actually become that generous.
I will also point one other thing about the movie as there is a slight recycling of other movies in here, such as the opening being an almost complete rip from the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre, as there is a monotone narrator reading off the text from the screen and you know what, the narrator and text are the exact same from Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Also, the movie starts off with the end of the film, giving a look at the aftermath of the movie we haven’t even seen yet, and we also get a snippet of sound from around the middle of the film being played over the sequence. And my final complaint would have to be the use of sound, while sometimes it’s effective other times it’s just hilarious. Taking for instance another sequence where Scott is outside trying to see if there’s a way of getting away from the trio, we hear a bunch of hurried footsteps going around in the woods and shaded area’s of the lawn, until we hear the most unexpected sound in the movie, the sound of a Warcraft 3 non-player character dying. As soon as this sound was heard, the entire audience fell about laughing, even I couldn’t help giggling at this rather unmeanling funny sound. I take it they were trying to go for the sound of a cyote or some woodland night time creature, but I think that is where they fall.
Aside from that, the movie is excellent and is truely worth seeing as it will most likely scare the bejesus out of you. It’s a movie that is most likely going to be parodied very soon by the people who do Scary Movie and will not be able to take on the hype of the next Saw movie or Quarantine this Halloween, but damn it, I am totally going to by this on dvd when it comes out. Also, one last note. This movie had me really scared the night I saw it, I was actually so paranoid that I fell asleep with a knife in hand and actually did wake up in the middle of the night stabbing at what I thought was the Man In The Sack, but it turned out to be a trick of the light and my eyes adjusting to the dark. Just let it be known, you might not want to be that scared afterall.
I don’t know what to think about this movie. On one hand you have a really scary & fun movie on the other you have multiple mistakes in the script (one minute they’re there and you blink and they’re gone with nowhere to hide, they left prints all over the place etc….etc…)…
Anyway i kinda liked it but it could be really better.
This is one of the best slasher movies everrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This movie is awesome.
This is one of those rare films that has the tiniest of casts (not even background actors), and really succeeds. The music used was great. No actual sound track, just an in house record that kept getting played and turned off. The score did an amazing job at complementing the creepiness of the presentation. Music or not, I mean, when there was no music, it was dead silence because there was no background movie soundtrack (as I said before). Tyler and Speedman are pretty fresh faces to the horror genre. I also appreciate the use of masks in this. Nothing is better than no expressions on the faces of sadistic psychopaths. Its just one of those character defining portions: no remorse.
Go at least for the thrill because even I jumped a few times.
After months of waiting this movie is finally out!!!!!!!!! This movie was awesome! To me this was the best horror movie in along time!! The acting was really good!!! Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman were good actors here!!! The Movie was terrifying and had me screaming at parts!! This movie made me jump alot and got me scared!! I loved how it started, loved that they never showed who the killers are(from the look on Kristen and James it looked like it was someone they knew) and was truly terrifying!! The best slasher movie since the original Scream!!!
The Strangers is a well made, straight forward, no frills suspense based horror film. It gives just enough time and exposition to let the audience begin to invest in the lead characters, and then the suspense begins. Once it starts, it doesn’t stop, and even better, it gets even more powerful. There were plenty of people screaming in the theater on a few occasions.
If you’re a gore hound, this one’s probably not up your alley. There’s little to no gore at all. But, in this case I think it works in the films favor to stay away from the gore. Disgust and suspense are two very different emotions and once you break the suspense it may not be possible to bring it back to the level they immediately established.
I really thought The Strangers was just a well made film. It’s not perfect, it has some flaws, but all in all this is one of the better horror films I’ve seen in the theater in a good while. Now, some of that may have to do with the fact that I live in a small city which doesn’t have a venue for the better number of independent horror films which are released, but either way, The Strangers was a blast in the theater.
One thing to keep in mind about this review: I review films based on what it is the film itself seems to be trying to accomplish. The Strangers never portrayed itself as anything other than a straightforward suspenseful horror film. From beginning to end, it kept it’s integrity.
And for all of those out there who haven’t seen in and have been hearing the discussion about the ending, I loved the ending. I loved the ending specifically because it was in keeping with the atmosphere, tone and integrity of the whole film. If it had been different, or opposite what it is, I would have seriously had problems with the ending and it would have soured a good deal of the over all experience. I walked away from Vacancy feeling that way, Strangers delivered where Vacancy failed.
*CONTAiNS SPOiLERS*
I don’t know if it’s just me seeing one too many horror flicks, but this movie was so built up that I expected so much more from it. The only reason it was even remotely creepy was because it was based on true events, when he first walked out in the background, and it could happen. Not like they actually got away with any of it due to the lack of cleaning up after themselves. They left so much DNA behind it’s unbelievable! And what the hell is up with the ending? A scream then croaked? Cool. So lame. Definitely disappointed. Onto the next horror movie…
One of the scariest movies I’ve ever seen. I’ve seen it 3 times since it’s opening and each time I went the other people I was with were terrified. They had to have people follow them home and said, “they would never see that movie again, it was that good.” What this movie did for masks was what all other masked killers failed to do. Movies like Halloween and Texas Chain Saw Massacre have viewers afraid of the the killer, even though they have masks they also have a definate identity. The Strangers makes people afraid of who’s behind the mask, because it could be anyone. Your neighbor could be a stranger; it makes people question how safe they really are.
As a 35 year old man who has been a horror movie fan since I was 8, I must say I have become jaded. Even the really good horror movies just aren’t scary to me. Imagine my surprise when THE STRANGERS turned out to be the most terrifying thing I’ve seen in years. My only complaints are the opening b.s. about it being “inspired by true events” (yeah, and so was TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE. Give me a break!) and the final 2 minutes. Really, has that kind of ending worked since CARRIE? I wonder if the studio made Bryan Bertino add it to set up an unecessary (but likely) sequel…
The theater was packed, and it was so quiet you could have heard a mosquito break wind. Almost everyone was talking about how scary it was as we walked out. Please ignore the negative reviews and see THE STRANGERS ASAP, especially if you are a fan of classics like John Carpenter’s HALLOWEEN and THE TOWN THAT DREADED SUNDOWN.
I’ve seen just about every horror movie out there and true events or not, this movie was the biggest let down of my life. As far as some of you stating its the best movie in 25 years, have you ever seen a horror movie? OMG every jump scene was predictable, even the shotgun to the face was forseeable! this movie was so BAD. The last Rambo flick was a better horror movie than this.All the best scenes were in the trailers and even those weren’t that great. I wouldn’t wish my worst enemy to see this movie! I wish I could give negatives as a rating, but there isn’t a number low enough, this movie made me sad they considered it a horror.
WHOA I had to register and write a review for this movie. It was a complete waste of time. the best part about it, all 80-some minutes of it, was when the dude with the mask is in the shadows, and the girls in the kitchen. I saw that part and I thught to myself this movie probally has a chance, but after that it went down hill. I hated that you knew what the ending was going to be in the first minute of the film (The events that took place in this house are still unknown) umm… I wonder what happened to the people. The couple didn’t put up a fight at all. They were 3 freakin kids, I know the dude with the mask was big, but come on, you have a freakin SHOTGUN!!!! I was telling my Girlfreind everything that was going to happen before it ever did. Maybe i got spolied because I saw THEM Last week and totally loved it, and when compared to this it makes the Strangers look like Sex and the City. As to what most people see in it I don’t know. I totally agree with what BD gave it, actually it should have been lower. Worst movie I’ve seen this year, and worst movie I have seen in a theatre since Primeval or Hostel 2, whichever one of those came out last. Yes folks this movie was that bad.
This movie is surely best experienced alone. I saw this in the theater with only 3 other people in the theater. It was at 1130am. It was terrifying! absolutely one of the most suspenseful and tense movies of the year. I’m def going to lock my doors tonight. I would have appreciated a more explanatory ending…
it was good in the fact that it was tottally random but that was also it’s downfall. there was absolutely no point. i felt like i was watching an hour and a half of “switch to this cell company or we’ll kill you” commercials. i made my own plot. ARENT YOU HAPPY FOR ME! damn movie! Damn Bryan Bertino! go back to your day job boy u are no wes craven!
sorry but this movie sucked ass!!! I want my freaking money back! this movie was nothing but a bunch of loud build up music that led to nothing, what a let down! yeah the people in masks are pretty creepy but it’s still a retarded movie, I am very dissapointed. I laughed more than I was scared and i left with a headache -_- Horrible movie, booooo!!!
One of the better horror movies I have seen in a while. It doesn’t rely on over the top gore, but just a general feeling of creepiness thoughout the movie, and some moments of terror.
This movie made me jump a few times, and few movies do that to me anymore.
Some people complain that it lacks plot, but they are missing the point of the movie. The whole point is that it is a completely random act of violence that could potentially happen to anyone. The killers have no remorse and no reason to attack these people other than “because you were home.”
The only thing that makes this different from being a sad cliche is the nihilism, the lack of a story, and the lack of characterization.
No, I’m not being sarcastic.
Having no plot rarely works – but it’s always better than turning to a deep cliche story we’ve heard a hundred times. Same with flat characterization. So when it doubt, leave all lame storytelling elements out. And it works for this movie.
The lack of deep meaning also makes it anti-cliche. The “killers” don’t care who they mentally torture. Can you name the last time you saw a movie that used that idea? I can name a few, but they’re by far the minority.
Overall, I’m more impressed with it than I have been with a horror movie in about 2 years. Unlike the horridly cliche movies like The Decent and The Orphanage, this didn’t get critical acclaim. Why? Because it isn’t like what has been done a hundred times, contrary to what other people want to believe. You just have to look further than the sum of its parts.
Not bad actually. It had its creepy moments and its expected scares, but overall, I thought it was quite a decent movie. Very enjoyable to watch in the theatre.
i ve been watching horror movies since i was really really little and never have i been so scared watching a movie in the theater i have been waiting for this movie forever and it was worth it and don’t listen to the couple people who didn’t like see it for yourself b/c even if u dont the studios need to realize a r rated movie can be successful but more than likely you will like it and i am sick of some of the horror community bashing it b/c they complain about the remakes,torture/porn,sequels,asian remakes and this wasnt any of those and they still complain i mean what do you want go see this movie it was scary as hell, my grandmothers house is in the middle of the woods and iam never going to stay by myself again its really good the whole audience was screaming go see it
The poster and preview for this movie had me really excited but this excitment turned to dissapointment after finally seeing the film in person. The flick relys heavily on horror movie faux pas such as the pop up scares around every corner. The film is contrived and rather then scary becomes dull with its constant regurgitation of the same old scares seen in every thriller/slasher since halloween. The acting seems to be very dull and unrealistic at points such as the very boring and uneventful ending. The killers though very cool style wise lack the depth or interest created by other masked killers. Rather then be excited to see the killers appear on screen and stalk the main charcters it just seemed to boring and followed the same formulaic plot that all thrillers follow lately with very predictable scares and very anti climatic ending. Though with its hefty flaws its still good to see a return to very old school thriller flicks. With the popularity of this film it will hopefully usher in a return to orignal horror films. Though this movie wasnt that great at least it wasn’t another remake
I really enjoyed it, but the ending was extremely weak.
I know not a bunch of people liked this movie but I found it very entertaining. I liked other movies of this style but not very many. So I was kind of hesitant to see this film but what really brought me in was the trailer. I mean holy crap that was pretty good. So I saw it. While it has a few bad moments the scale is definately tipped in the movies favor. Go see this movie.
Hmmm…
Didn’t really care for it that much.
It wasn’t terrible, but.. wasn’t what I had expected after reading reviews and seeing previews and what not.
It did have it’s creepy moments, mainly the record skipping while Liv’s freaking out, but the movie in its entirety just didn’t entertain me much.
Although the girls screaming and jumping throughout the whole thing that were sitting next to me, that did.
So with that. Not a TERRIBLE movie. It was OK.
I’d buy it for my DVD collection whenever it gets released.
This movie was upsetting. It had so much potential. The first 30 minutes were great, suspenseful, made you jump. Then, the next 45 minutes, you were willing the lead characters to get killed, if simply to finish the movie. I thought this was going to be killer…had a lot of potential…but just wound up ripping off other movies.
Liv Tyler was good but everything else was TOO BAAAAAAAD..waste of time
I thought it was a well written movie. Although, just as in many movies these days that claim to be based on true events, it was based loosely off several actual events. I felt it was well executed, but the ending could have had more closure than a cheap last minute jump. Everyone in the theatre that night enjoyed the movie as it was sold out and the screams were endless
This isn’t the greatest horror movie ever, but I think it does what it sets out to do. Scare the crap out of you. The original movie “Them” had a better ending (Oh, and I don’t give away endings, especially to my wife), but didn’t seem as frightening as this one. I prefer to see movies at the theater, but if you don’t get to I would save it for a rental on a night when you’re alone …and no lights on, you chicken!
After getting pretty good reviews from horror sites but bad reviews from “normal” critics, I decided to give The Strangers a try. I’m glad I did.
The Strangers is about a young couple who comes home from a wedding reception only to be terrorized by a masked trio.
First off, I’ve always disliked Liv Tyler in films. In fact, my dislike for her is so strong I almost skipped this one just because she was in it. That being said she actually did a really good job. So did all the actors in fact. The interaction between the couple is well written and well played. Their reactions and conversations to me rang very true to life which helped bring me right into the film, leaving me wide open for some really well placed and well played scares. I don’t usually get scared, in fact I can count on one hand how many films have actually freaked me out, and stranger just gave me another finger. The film is pure horror. There are no other elements at work here. The film plays on everyone’s fear of our home no longer being safe. This is especially true today with the fear of terrorism floating around our heads. The plot is simple and to the point with tons of tension and action. Considering the film has so few actors, we know from the beginning this won’t be a bodycount film. Instead the director gives us just enough time to allow us to get to know the characters and become empathetic. It works very well here. The film is nothing but brutal shocks left and right. This is especially hard to do as the film isn’t gory either. The actors and the action is believable so it works. As far as this being a ripoff of Them (ils) one could come to that conclusion, but I sincerely doubt it. The real question is, which one’s better? The Strangers.
The Strangers is a well played and well acted film filled with great scares and tension. Check it out in theatres while you still can!
Gore- mild
Nudity- none
Overall – 8/10
uncouthindustries.blogspot.com
one of the best movies ever.
pretty boring if you ask me the story was good liv tyler did a very good job with this one i was hoping it would have been scarier
I didnt Think it was too bad.
pretty unoriginal. nothing any seasoned horror fan hasn’t seen before. repeated cheap jump scares and some one rattling some pots and pans around for an hour and half. i saw it in a theater full of d-bags high school kids that completely over-reacted at every single jump scare…it was pretty funny laughing at them.
there was not much that was original about this film including the intro witch is a blatant rip off of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. There where some parts that I felt involved in the story and putting my self in their situation witch I always love about a movie. BUt it was not nearly enough for me. Over all this was a decent movie and will rent it when it comes out just to watch it again.
Wasnt too bad of a movie. It relied more on the scares and creepiness then gore. I thought they did well and cant wait or the sequel.
Maybe it wasn’t the most original idea ever, maybe not even half way there but damn! was it creepy. It didn’t need to rely on gore to get it over with the audience. One of the better films I’ve seen lately. Liv Tyler did an awesome job withher role, as well as Scott Speedman.
hmm
so so
This movie is obviously a hate it or love kind of film. On one hand, the film has probably one of the most unsettling atmospheres I’ve ever witnessed in a film. When the record started skipping, you could hear everyone in the theater start to hold their breath.
Then you have the obvious plot holes and unbelieveable ninja capabilities of said “Strangers”.
But the pro’s really outway the cons on this one. The film was genuinely creepy. I’ve never had such a sense of unease in a horror film before. Seriously, I’ve been a horror fan since I was little, and I havent been bothered by a movie in a long time.
My biggest complaint to all of the people who reviwed this film and complained about the ending is;
What the fuck did you expect to happen at the end?
You act like the only thing that could have made the ending good was if the strangers were really robot alien ghosts, and fuckin Imperial Stormtroopers busted in and blew the place up death star style.
What did you expect to happen? It was either they got away, or they died, and I’m sure that you would all bitch even more if they got away, so be happy that the bad guys one.
Granted, the VERY end of the movie *SPOILER* where liv tyler pulled that carrie bullshit was just ridiculous. But comeon, it was fun and you know it.
The movie grabs you by the back of the head and fucks your face til its final thrust of hot gooey mess all over your favorite shirt.
10/10 – Cactus The Thorn Balled
Yeah? So, the movie is flawed. The Strangers are modern day Houdinis. The two leads make typical death wish mistakes. It’s pretty damn cliche at times. But I found myself on edge the entire movie. Some GREAT scares here, and an unnerving atmosphere that is sure to jolt!
Not a bad flick at all. One of the most suspenseful movies I’ve seen in awhile. Original? No, but what is anymore? The use of surround sound in the theater was impressive & creepy as well. Should make a great dvd when it comes out.
Totally Creepy! Liv Tyler Rocks! Super Scary Soundtrack! Makes me want to play my records again!
definitely worth seeing. Honestly the beginning REALLY gives it away but was entertained. This film is being compared to “them” a lot and having seen “them” before this I can see why. I honestly like “them” more because it was creepy and didn’t need scary masks to do so (I think people under estimate the level of fear that a hoodie has haha). I think this movie is a must see for horror fans to get a nice fix.
My favorite.
It has been a LONG time since a horror movie has left an impression on me. I love this movie for the fact that it proves my theory that you don’t need a high body count, or tons of gore. It’s a throwback to the way horror used to be done on the late 70′s, early 80′s. The whole tone of the film with the lighting and atmosphere was excellent. Considering that today’s ADD generation needs an explosion in every scene to pay attention to movies anymore, it was refreshing to see this!
This movie is terrible. It’s violence without any purpose. There is nothing here to digest. Don’t waste your time.
My Favorite Movie this Year! Anyone Know when DVD comes out? Cant wait!
awsome movie
On eof my favirite genres and one of my favorite movies. I prefer two older people like a couple getting hacked up then a bunch of highschool kids any day! =]
EXCELLENT !
This movie is one of the best movies to come out this year. It was super scary, the acting and was brilliant, and The ending was haunting.
I recomend with every fiber of my beinggggg.
Sprinkle creepy, masked killers, and great acting in a big, stupendous pot, and you conjure this little fright fest. Sure, some themes used this film has been used before, but it’s more effective than any i’ve seen, and that is saying alot. There’s just a complete feeling of dread hovering over as the movie plays, you can feel it, sense it. Alot of the movie’s charm is ultimatley the fact it is so real, and you know about as much as our main characters do. Alot question what exactly the “Based on a True Story” means…. UMMMM HELLLLOOO, home invasions happen everyday across the world, with some motives unknown. Not all stories are based upon a specific event, in fact, this story is based loosely on the fact that a home invasion is common occurance.
Acting wise, i feel was very convincing. And as heartbreaking some of the scenes (not metioning any due to spoilers) are, you really feel for our stalked companions on the screen. And judging on some of the reactions of the audience, i’m sure they would agree. In the end, what you’re left with is an interesting, effective, treat of a horror film, that i’m sure you’ll find enticing one way or another.
scary and the best scary film of the 2000′s
There were some things I liked about ‘The strangers’ and others I didn’t. I did like that there was minimal to no gore because I see that in every R rated film and it was a good technique they used for scares. The things I hated was that there were so many things this couple could have done but like any film they didn’t take the chances. Overall ‘The strangers’ is not that bad of a film but from seeing the scary trailers and the creepy advertisements it’s a huge letdown. If you don’t like gore and get easily scared then you’ll dig ‘The strangers’. If you are not easily scared and love slasher flicks ‘The strangers’ is the wrong direction.
Amazing moments of sheer brilliance but as a whole it just doesn’t prove to be distinct.
The first hour or so are great and suspenseful but then it just looses itself in the horror cliche. if only the director trusted himself more to make some of those moments the whole movie.
GREAT MOVIE … i think negative reviews come from people who have just seen WAY to many HORROR films … ok Ive seen about 10,000 in my day but this movie was alot of fun … GAVE me chills …freaked me out and that dont happen to often .. i thought that this was a american “THEM” remake but it feels diffrent enought to be its own film .. not once did I say “why are they doing that” like when I watched THEM … no annoying characters and GREAT SUSPENCE … WATCH it!
I loved it. it used old fashioned scares which actually made me jump heaps. The only thing i didn’t like was the ending, because we don’t even know who the strangers are, but we hear Liv Tyler say “Amy, you don’t have to do this”, so what does this mean.
I expected a better movie due to the fact that the trailer was the best.I loved the movie but could’ve been better.
For a long while I’ve been waiting for the Australian release of The Strangers. 5 months after I first heard about it, and 3 months after U.S. audiences got to see it, it is finally here. The idea was good, a house invasion where the invaders are never revealed and instead have some awesome looking masks covering their otherwise normal faces. Not exactly original stuff but to be fair, a burlap sack with a smiley face on it is much creepier than a Hockey Mask ever was.
A couple, Kristen McKay (Liv Tyler) and James Hoyt (Scott Speedman) are staying at James’ father’s rather isolated holiday home after a friend’s wedding. The couple aren’t exactly the happiest you’ve seen, but for what reason we are never told. Soon after arriving home, a mysterious girl knocks on the door asking for somebody who doesn’t live there. Obviously she does this in the creepiest manner she could and walks off without another word. The girl returns not long after and continues beating on the door asking for the non-existent ‘Tamra’. Then it becomes more than just a confused house call. Kristen is tormented by 3 masked strangers, smashing windows, misplacing certain belongings, just generally being the typical creepy house invaders. The rest is a bit of a mess.
We really never get the story behind the couple’s awkwardness. It is just a case of one minute they are acting as if they are going to split up and then next they are about to get jiggy on a table together. A flashback of them at the wedding being a happy couple promises a clue as to why they are acting this way but after James shows her a ring and everything falls apart, we are left with no answers and a jumbled idea of what is happening between them. Y’know what? Just forget the couple and their emotional struggles. It makes no sense and adds nothing to the movie. Apart from a little bit of relief in the final 5 minutes with the “I Love You” line.
The Strangers is a semi-realistic horror/thriller that suffers from the “based on true events” label. Before you go researching trying to find out what really happened. I will just tell you now. The “trueness” of it is that the director when he was young had a knock on the door one night and the following morning found that a number of the houses in his street had been broken into. It is said on various sites that at the closing of the film , there is a message saying that all the characters and such were fictional and any resemblance is purely coincidence. As to wether that happens or not, I did not wait around to see. So the film is based off or “inspired by” true to life knock on the door and a string of break-&-enters. It is almost as misleading as the TV spots for The Village.
The length and pacing are of fair quality. Barely half an hour into it, the masked invaders start to wreak havoc, leaving an hour for them to do as they please to the (un?)happy couple. The problem with this is that nothing really happens in that hour. A couple of jump scares are used, some are just the generic cheap scares and some are genuinely jump-worthy. A shotgun gets involved but rapidly does nothing. So we are practically left to watch these two characters hold up in a room with the killers doing regular patrols of creepiness around the house. Not particularly riveting stuff here folks but somehow it holds your attention for just long enough for you to be disappointed by the underwhelming conclusion.
I won’t spoil the huge climactic reveal of the masked killers, because there really isn’t much to spoil. But it isn’t anything to jump out of your seats for. If you disregard the “true events” label, this is a not-so-great film about three killers terrorising a couple whilst wearing some cool masks. No more, no less. I’d recommend it as a decent homage to oldschool horror but if you are expecting anything new or super gory you would be better off waiting till 24th October to see Saw5.
6/10
The Strangers is an impossibly creepy concept that reeks of simple 70′s stlye horror filmmaking. The film is presented free of parody, self awareness or humor. It’s a super downbeat journey into Hell with two likeable characters who don’t stand a ghost of a chance.
The strength of The Strangers lies in its set up. The first 30 minutes are by far, some of the most unnerving and terrifying of any horror film to appear in theaters in the past 10 years.
Sadly, the film tends to get dull by the halfway mark, causing it to loose steam when it should be gaining even more tension.
All in all, The Strangers is a horror film that will stay with you long after it’s over.
Though the movie started out strongly (and creepy I might add)it quickly got boring fast. By the time the movie ended I was extremely disappointed. Overall I found the movie cliche, predictable, unoriginal and boring. Going into the movie you pretty much know the characters fate but all the same they drag this movie on forever with cheap scares and lame “chase and hide” scenes. I found my self checking my watch frequently and yawning whenever one of those masks popped up on the screen.
I watched this last night, even though i didnt think it was so bad it reminded (within the first half hour) me of a film i watched last year called “Them”
The teacher of the French School in Bucharest Clémentine lives with her husband, the writer Lucas, in a remote real estate in Snagow. Along the night, Clémentine is awakened by weird noises outside the old house and Lucas sees their car being stolen. Then the lights are turned off, phone line is dead and they see that their property gate has been trespassed and they are surrounded by weird persons with lights. They hide in the cellar and try to escape to ask for help in a dreadful night of pure terror.
Somewhere in Romania; Clementine is finishing her day of teaching the local kids French. On her way home she spots an abandoned vehicle beside the road. She continues on unaware of what happened to its occupants, a mother and her teenage daughter, the night before. Not that it matters, as tonight, along with her writer beau Lucas, she’ll find out first hand. They’re awakened during the night by strange phone calls and the TV downstairs being turned on–but this is only beginning of their night of terror as the phone lines go dead, the power goes out and their car goes missing, as they’re stalked and set upon by THEM!
If you watched “Them” then “The Strangers” you would be suprised how similar it is.
Other than that, I guess it wernt bad
I don’t know why I haven’t reviewed this until now, but here it is. This is by far the best horror movie of the year so far, and seeing what is coming in the next few months I have no doubt that it will stay that way come January.
Yes I know, it is very similar to “Them”, but I think that movie is so overrate it’s not funny. You don’t care for the characters in “Them”. I truly cared for Liv Tyler’s and Scott Speedman’s characters. And even though I knew they weren’t gonna make it out alive, thanks to a useless prologue, I still was very depressed when the end came.
While being scary, this movie is one of the few smart horror movies I’ve seen in a while. It seems like every movie I watch these days the problem can be solved by simply sitting in a corner and waiting for morning. Well these guys do that, but it’s what happens after that makes me rethink that strategy.
The directing is superb. I don’t think anyone else could have done this justice. Bryan Bertino knew this movie inside and out and he was the only one who could see it through to bloody perfection.
It’s very rare these days that a horror movie has me on edge from start to beginning. “The Strangers” is one of those movies. And to this day I’m still haunted by the last image of Liv Tyler. Just horrifying. BRING ON THE SEQUEL!!!
Anyways, until next time..
To be sincerely i did liked the strangers alot but there were some things i didnt liked very much about the movie and the fact it didnt haved any originality. First theres the based on a true story beginning(the texas chainsaw massacre remake)then theres the obvious beginning with the spoiler that the characters got killed and something horrible happened there.(the texas chainsaw massacre remake)Second theres the sad couple who feels bad and mad at each other for some stupid reason(vacancy)Third theres the strange noises, people looking at them from the dark etc…(vacancy)forth the killers trys to kill the characters and the action starts. (vacancy for the third time) fifth the couple does the most stupid things semeone could have done in a situation like it is shown here.(vacancy) and sixth and final reason the killers capture the couple and stab them in turns and then they go away in there truck and the scene from the beginning starts to play.(like you havent known that from the beginning) Well the strangers actually haves alot of problems but still the film is scary, the mood is handled very good, the acting was really good also and the film lets you breating hard when its over so in finale the strangers turnes out to be a very nice and scary ripoff of the texas chainsaw massacre remake and vacancy.
1st off this my first feedback.i thought this was a great movie.i love horror movies and this is the first horror movie without really any gore in a couple of years that was good.
“The Strangers” was actually pretty good. You have to admit the trailer was probably the best horror trailer ever!Anyways, in the middle of the movie, it was starting to get bored and silly, but the ending was solid. Not the best ending, but still good. What I really don’t get about this (and I don’t understand why nodody thought of that) is the killers are two skinny and little girls, and one skinny dude. Why didn’t scott speedman and liv tyler fight back? It wouldn’t be so hard to fight 3 skinny people with creepy masks. Like they should attack one of the strangers, and then another, and the last…
Home invasion terror (‘Homerrism’) is this year’s stranded and tortured tourist theme. Not bad, similar to ‘Them’ and ‘Funny Games’. Cheap, but effective scares using sound and quick image changes abound. The masks are creepy in a John Wayne(Gacy), the artist, kinda way.
I’d give the sequel a try to learn more about those kids.
wow, what a surprise that i actually found this film very good, very eerie, very tense, for as little gore and action as it has, it still succeeds in doing the obvious intention: suspense.
rarely do i like these types of suspense movies that really mostly on intense and suspense and quiet surrounding a character walking down a hallway, i hope filmakers pay attention to this film and realize if you want a scene more scary you dont always need a music score no matter how simple or complex tthe music is, if it’s totally completely quiet, you get the feeling your there in the house with the character, this movie succeeds where so many have failed, in my opinion.
the three strangers are very mysteriously creepy and (SPOILER ALERT:)
the fact you never actually see there faces (except i think the one chick in the beginning, wether it was her or not, we can only speculate)
seems very much more scarier than seeing a face that would have been unmasked.
excellent!
The Strangers is a perfect example of suspense. Each element of the movie comes together in a perfect harmonious fashion. The biggest highlight of this movie is its ability to have its soundtrack play a major roll in the film. The backstory is given in a perfect fashion and is not forced down your throat like most horror backstories. The only problems with this movie are the last 10 seconds and the fact that there really wasn’t anything new here… it was just horror done RIGHT.
What a pointless movie!!!
Well, this is an ok movie its very much worth watching.
I wouldnt call it a slasher…more like a mystery/thriller. A few parts made me jump but thats about all it did for me.
Usually when I watch horror movies I am no longer scared or prone to jump as much as I used to be. When I saw The Strangers in the theater I was literally on the edge of my seat through like 3/4 of it. Amazingly suspenseful! The last 1/4 of the movie was decent, but didn’t quite satisfy me. Overall and amazing film!
The Strangers was fun, tense, scary, and enjoyable. I really liked it because it took a really simple premise and made a rather scary film out of it. It was pretty bloodless but that was ok because the point of the film wasn’t the killing, it was the terror and in that it delivered.
The Strangers was one of most pathetic pieces of shit I..ve ever seen. No character development, no real mystery, and no plot to speak of. Plus, nothing happens at all until the last ten minutes: the movie mostly consists of Liv Tyler running around doing nothing. The movie was just boring and extremely dull. Plus, the motive is never explained and it is just annoying. With some movies, not knowing the motive can be good, but not this one. And yes, this was only “inspired” by a true story. None of the information in the movie is actually FACTUAL. The movie was just TERRIBLE.
This movie is great and one hell of a suspense movie. There r people that r saying they didnt like it that it only made them jump a few times. Isnt the whole point of a horror movie to make u think about it days after u watch it not some special efft or sound that makes u jump. I call those cheap scares , the fact if i came home and this happened to me is scary. These crazy people toying with this couple before ending it is awsum.
total garbage… i spent 88 minutes watching this crap, so im not spending any more time reviewing it. This movie will not take anymore of my time. watch funny games if you want a home invasion flick.
When it comes to movies that I review or sum up for people I give them the benefit of the doubt because I know that everyone’s taste isn’t alike. This is especially true for a person’s opinion of Horror films.
The Strangers was a film that I’ve been waiting a while to see, a whiiiiiile. I’m not going to sugar-coat it or give it the benefit of the doubt either. It sucked. I’m not ignorantly flying off the handle here or anything but while I watched it aside from the lingering hope in the back of my mind that there might be some gore or a bit of fresh suspense my interest rapidly diminished.When people say that by watching the trailer you basically got the jist of the film, they’re right. I really wanted to like this film and I tried to look at it in different points of view and nothing… They all just crumbled by some stupid fluke. Clips were recycled, noticeably too. Sometimes a movie might be able to get away with it if they’re sly about it but if the movie is slow and there’s nothing new in it you shouldn’t even try. Now, I would give this movie a 1 out of 10 but I’m giving it a 3 because if you’re in a situation like that, you can pretty much expect things to go down the same way. It’s got the right creepy feel but it’s too predictable and bland.
Well paced, with a real sense of tension. Could have asked for more blood, but when can’t you? I heard this director is like 20 some years old and this was his debut, not bad at all for a first film, looked and sounded fantastic, I just thought the back story was a little cheesy, but hey it’s a love story. Bravo
To be honest i heard a lot of bad about this movie… I personally thought this was an amazing movie for a beginning director!! I loved the fact that soo much emphasis was put on the sound affects i think this adds a sense of realisim and brings you into the movie!! Only gripe is that i dont like the one girls mask with the hair painted on the front but the mans mask makes up for it!!! Great movie!
This movie was a load of shit! I almost felled asleep while watching it! During the first 30 minutes we don’t see the strangers and nothing happens, and for the next hour its just Liv Tyler hiding and SOMETIMES running away! Nothing happened until the last 5-10 minutes! This movie is pointless!For the sequel,they could at least turn this crap into a good slasher film.
Overall, I enjoyed this movie. I honestly think it should have had more action going on, as the movie moves really slow and lacks in many places. Actually, it could have been a movie short and it would have been much better.
All in all, I did find it a little freaky. Not because it’s based on a true story or because it’s been done many times in many ways, but because it’s realistic. The thought of coming going home in the middle of nowhere and being terrorized by ordinary people for no good reason is creepy, I don’t care who you are. It’s not an unstoppable, machete-wielding maniac that you can shoot and stab five hundred times and they get up and keep coming back for more. It’s real people like you or I.
This movie was fuckin great, I love the reasoning behind the killers in this movie. This movie is best watched at 2 am with all the doors unlocked.
it was good but at some points bad. one thing that annoyed me was how the camera was shaking all the time.
This movie may be scary if you’re of borderline IQ and if the Verizon “Dead Zone” commercials give you the hee-bee jeebies. Matter of fact, Jack, from Jack in the Box, is probably scarier.
That being said, I’m at a lost how garbage like this continues to get made. Story? None. There is no plot, no motive, to rational to this. The first 1/2 of the movie, which serves as “character development”, basically wills the viewer into drinking double caffienated coffee to stay away, alternating between boyfriend/girlfriend with tears in their eyes, and “did somebody just knock?” suspense.
The jist of the movie is pretty much the same as the superior French film, “Them”, and even tries to go for the same type of out-of-left-field ending. Where that film succeeded in setting up its characters so that the viewer would care, here we’re forced to flashbacks that basically provide no motivation for any further character development.
Finally, I wish the latest trend of “unrated” versions would end. There’s nothing here to justify anybody getting excited with a version “too scary” to be released in the theaters (how it ever was is beyond me in the first place). What they’re doing is using the word “unrated” as a selling point… Sort of like saying “M. Night’s first R-rated movie”.
Sorry, but if that’s their selling point. Be afraid. Be very afraid.
It feels like the producer lost a bet to allow these piece of fecal matter to be made. I’m appalled that someone would consider this worthy of production more or less a major motion picture release. I don’t understand why Liv Tyler gets so much credit for her acting job, all she does is scream at the “scary” moments. I found nothing even remotely terrifying about someone knocking on the door and then running away. This type of movie has been done before – and done much better. Don’t waste your time watching an hour of character developement and a half hour of Liv Tyler screaming/crying. I’ve honestly seen scarier cartoons…
I think that the director has potential but this movie needed more going on
This movie had some tense, suspenseful scenes but otherwise it was kind of boring. It wasn’t the worst I’ve ever seen, but by the end I was looking forward to it being over.
I didn’t find this movie as scary as it was being portrayed. During the beginning I kept wonder what was going on. It was easy to drift off and start thinking about something else. After the strangers arrived it seemed like a game of cat and mouse through and around the house. Once the ending arrived I was left wondering what the hell just happened. Some of the reviews I have read stated that it was the atmosphere in the theater that helps the movie; I didn’t feel it watching the DVD.
Great cast and production values but the “terror” falls completely flat. Perhaps it was because the ending was given away in the first 2 minutes. The movie has nowhere to go if there are no stakes. The pacing didn’t help (slow and no music does not create tension, it creates boredom). Also, I didn’t believe this couple had zero survival skills AND zero logic. I didn’t mind not know WHY the strangers were doing this, but the breezed in and out of the house with no problem while wearing masks in complete darkness. If it was a completely random act, they couldn’t possibly know the house so well. In short, good horror movies establish “the rules” and should stick to them.
Fairly anticlimactic. Decent movie though.
very weak effort.. not remotely scary.. the trailer looked good though
(This is my first review, so I apologize if anyone thinks I suck)
I saw the trailer for this online and ever since I did, I was counting down the days until it came out. Like most of you probly did, I thought this was the best trailer in years, so I had very high hopes for this film. Unlike most however, I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THE STRANGERS! This film didn’t just exceed my expectations, it completely curbstomped them into oblivion.
Before you start sending me hate mail, let me attempt to make a case here.
The plot and the overall look of the film, reminded me of an old grindhouse feature at a drive in or something (the grainy footage was the only thing missing), but I think that this plot will always be terrifying. I mean what is more frightening than being helpless in your own home? This film could have been made 30 years ago and still turned out this good. The tension build up without music meshed real well with the genius sound effect work by the very talented crew. Suspense was cranked up to 11 on this one with the drawn out silences, and shadowy lighting, and again, amazing sound effect work. The compelling acting by a talented cast (which I sort of resented at first because I prefer horror movies with unknowns) really made me feel for these people and felt a part of the whole ordeal.
In my opinion however, the TRUE main characters of this film, are of course, the strangers themselves. The baghead guy was like a lovechild of Leatherface and Jason from Friday the 13th part 2. The way he and his collegues of evil move about the shadows of the house and beyond without that obvious “boom” that tells us when to jump, is truly chilling.
I think the best horror movies are the ones where the villian/villians win, and the “main characters” die, lose, or worse. Therein lies my only complaint. The trailer revealed too much at the end, when our victims are tied up and confronted by our killers, so there was no suprise there when they both are caught, then stabbed. I also loved the reference to “Carrie” at the end, when Liv Tyler grabs the kids arm and starts screaming bloody murder.
Overall, “The Strangers” was a very welcome addition to our beloved genre. From the throwback, 70′s-ish vibe and plot, all the way to the dark ending, I truly believe (in my own opinion) that this is one of the best horror films in years. It was a wonderful change from a PG-13 “horror” movie, or a god-aweful remake, or both. This film reminded me why I love horror movies.
(Thanks for reading, I’ll post more reviews soon in my blogs as well as the forums)
Since I saw the amazingly spooky trailer a few months ago, I’ve been looking forward to watching Brian Bertino’s debut movie “The Strangers.” The previews brought to mind elements of the original “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” coupled with the woodsy stalker feel of “Friday The 13th.” The most astounding feature that caught my eye was the atmosphere. The simple but frightening masks that the killers wore, and the way they strolled into rooms filled with mounted deer heads and distorted country music totally unnoticed by their victims sent waves of excitement through me. Needless to say, the trailer had me pumped. When the movie came out, I was too busy to watch it and sadly it slipped through my fingers like a fist full of cockroaches. Somehow I put off watching the movie when it was first released on dvd, but thanks to a fellow co-worker of mine, I finally got my chance to watch it.
The story centers on lovers James and Kristen. James has just asked Kristen to marry him. He’s got it all planned out too. A romantic night in his family’s second house out in the forest, champagne, even a bucket of ice cream. There’s one problem though. Kristen isn’t ready to get married, and needless to say James isn’t exactly happy about it. Actually, neither of them are too awfully happy. Afterwards, they both spend some time sulking in this house out in the middle of nowhere. It was supposed to be a fun little vacation until James went and proposed, but it doesn’t take long for them to make up. The fun really begins when they get a knock at the door from some strange woman at 4 in the morning. They send her away thinking she’s just some lost rube. Little do they know that soon she’ll be back with a couple of bloodthirsty friends. Okay, first, to start things off, I’ve heard nothing but negativity about this movie from every one who has seen it. They say it’s predictable with a bad ending, but after watching it, I say bull. “The Strangers” is a stripped down, nerve rattling, slasher flick, the kind you don’t really see anymore. The plot is simple but effective. The set is desolate. In fact, the entire movie is bathed in suffocating isolation with our two down and out lovers totally cut off from the outside world in a darkened forest with three assailants wearing some of the most creepy masks in existence. In the entire movie, there are only 6 characters. The sound effects alone are enough to keep the viewer on edge. The movie gets the fear across without going overboard with the gore, but there is still a little brain matter here and there. The decision to omit the gratuitous amount of blood and guts was a good decision because somehow it makes the kills seem more real. I’m a firm believer that gore for gores sake a good movie does not make.
The main problems I had with the movie was that some of the actions on the part of the two main characters were a little unbelievable. I’m sorry, but if you know absolutely nothing about a shotgun and you’re using one for the first time, you’re probably not going to be deadly when you use it. It’s going to take you at least a minute or two to even figure out how to turn the safety switch off, much less cock it and use it with perfect form and precision. Also, some other obvious actions could have been taken for survival that the characters just don`t do. I guess you could say that the biggest problem of all was the ineptitude of the two main characters.
Rotten Tomatoes gave the film a 44%, which I feel is pretty close to a fair rating, especially coming from major movie critics who usually give straight up horror (most certainly slasher flicks) a thumbs down by default. “The Strangers” is defiantly worth watching, especially if you’re a fan of classic slasher films like “Friday the 13th” or even “Halloween.” It captures the slasher thrill without being too clichéd or unoriginal. And GASP! the acting is actually pretty fucking good too. After viewing the movie, you might be reminded of the Manson Family killings. I know I was. The way that the killers moved and their childlike demeanor just reeks of the way that The Manson Family stalked and killed their victims. It reminded me of that particular act of violence so much, that I wasn’t surprised at all to find out that the movie is, in fact, partially inspired by the events described in Vincent Bugliosi’s true crime book “Helther Skelter.”
So go rent it
I loved this movie , I was watching it at 2 am . It’s really freaked me out at one point I thought someone was gonna come and kill me from my window . lol And I was holding an bat with me thought the night . lol I must sound really funny !
This movie was going great, built up the characters in great fashion. The vinyl skipping and playing during suspenful scenes was cool. The scariest scene was one of the posters for the film, the stranger standing in the back room of the house with liv tyler in the kitchen, pretty chilling. They seemed to build up the torture scene, but the torture was weak…and could of shown more gore.The first 3/4 of the movie were great. The ending left me with a could of been better taste in my mouth. i hope the sequel answers some questions, and is better. If they can do that, they would do jusice to the first film as well.
This movie is what could have been a good 10 minute scene in a crime movie stretched out to a boring 80 minute horror flick.
The criminals aren’t seen enough to be good. The victims are the same as in every flawed torture movie, i.e. stupid and weak-willed. It pulls the whole “inspired by a true story” schtick, which is translation for, “somebody read a newspaper article or watched Nightline and decided to use one minor fact from what he read or saw and threw it into this unrelated movie to try to make it seem scarier.”
It’s a shame one of our most underrated actresses, Liv Tyler, chose to do this movie. She must want to remain in the zone she’s in.
I’m done writing about this pile, my son needs quality time.
You have a shotgun and a shitload of shells and you can’t defend yourself or get the hell away. These two didn’t deserve to live. This movie had it’s decent moments and then there were alot of empty spaces. The cat and mouse game lasted almost an hour, way too long. The ending was way too quick considering the build up. Hope the sequel learns something but i doubt it.
I had been amazed with the trailer of this film. When I didn’t have a chance to see it in the theaters, I decided I’d wait for the DVD (just by watching the trailer, I knew I HAD to buy it; big mistake). The movie has its good parts and bad parts. To start with, we all LOVE the masks the killers wear. But I have to whine about the DIALOGUE, man!!! What the hell was up with that?! FREAKING CHEESY! I really TRIED to LOVE this movie. And it’s bad when you have high expectations, like me, because you WILL be disappointed. If you expect GORE, then you’ll be left hungry. I watched the unrated version thinking it would have at least some nice cut-out footage full of carnage, but no. Also, the movie becomes kind of boring midway and the viewer is just waiting for that roller-coaster ride, but it never picks up speed. The ending just leaves a BLAH-ish aftertaste since the sympathy you once felt for the characters was obliterated by Liv Tyler, GOD CAN’T SHE JUST GET UP??! Geez, she spends like two thirds of the movie crawling on the floor and she never GETS IT (with the axe). **end of rant.**
OVERALL: it’s good for a Saturday night rent, but please, totally not worth buying.
the trailer looked like really good, and i thought, hmmm, yeah, id buy it, so i bought it, and it had some okay parts, but overall, i thought it sucked, most parts didnt make sense. knowing that the shotgun thing, you couldnt do that. so, its not worth getting. i didnt like it.
boring, did not scare me at all, I think that the idea for the movie was cool but the movie sucks big time. if you like to get bored and like really annoying and stupid endings this is a movie for you.
I just watched this movie last night, and I am fifty fifty on it. I liked it, but I didn’t. I will admit to jumping at certain points in the movie, or when my mother walked behind me (that meaning the movie put me on edge at some points). I found the movie to be great when it came to scare tactics, but I found that the victims were too predictable. It just made me think of only Drew Barrymore in the first scream, just flat out lame.
With that being said, I would of preferred more dialogue in the movie, or perhaps more insight into the “strangers”. I did read that the director wanted the “Strangers” to have a more mysterious feel, but I found that it may have been too mysterious. Everyone loves a good villain, but no one can love a good villain if we don’t know shit about them. Think about Hannibal, Mike Myers or Jason, there is history there that makes you love them.
But I have to touch on the victims once more, and comment on how weak they were. This was the kind of movie that made you scream at the t.v. about how big of idiots they are. There was one seen where James leaves Kristen in the house alone, with no protection to go to the barn for the radio. HELLLOO!!!! The killers have already got into the house, just leave her there by herself, and while you’re at it, take the gun with you. The other thing that pissed me off, is that James and Kristen barely fought back. I would of at least liked to have seen the two of them put up some kind of fight, to go after the “Strangers” for a good 10 minutes.
I apologize for my rant, but the movie did well on scare tactics and plot, but the characters blow. And when you have sucky characters, you kinda get a bad movie. Liv Tyler just stuck me to be the dumb girlfriend in this movie, and her opposite actor struck me as a guy trying to be manly, but not getting very far.
this film gets u lazy to watch it it had a great
line and i still love it ive seen it 34 times and i still love it,
This is one of those movies that prove that you don’t need to have CGI or Special-Effects to make you scared. It’s a thrilling and breathtaking movie with I can recommend to everybody.
Not the best horror movie but not the worst either. It reminded me alot like vacancy. I like the guy with the potato sack, he remined me of jason in friday the 13th part 2, as for the other 2 masks i really didnt like them that much. overall turn the lights off, turn the volume up on the surround sound and get ready for a few good scares
the strangers is a good movie but the only thing that sucked was Liv Tyler’s acting, i couldn’t understand a word she said at the start but other than that it was pretty suspenseful
Okay, I thought this movie was crap. How the hell can you not kill people with a shotgun and plenty of extra rounds when all they have are knives? Seriously, these two had to be half-retarded. Mistake, after mistake, after mistake. I mean I know it is a horror movie and it tried to give off a “it could happen to you vibe” but are you kidding me? You’re hiding in a closet with a GUN when these people only have knives? No plot, boring first 30 minutes of mushy confusing crap, RETARDED victims, Avoid this movie!
sucked, wasnt scary. like nothing happened for the whole movie then they just get stabbed. it was stupid
This movie scared the shit out of me. I thought it was suspenseful and pretty well written. I can understand the negative reactions, as the ending is kind of blech and there should be more explanation to who the characters are. It was also too short for my liking and Liv Tyler screamed WAAAY too much.
The Strangers was a rare horror movie that didn’t rely on CGI and SFX to scare the living crap out of you. It was pure suspense and weird ass pyschopaths in masks appearing from nowhere.
A pretty intense movie: 8/10
Great cast,great performances ,very suspenseful, also at times very creepy. The director of this movie was the perfect person to direct it. The only negative is that it took way to long for it to get scary and the ending could have been a thousand times better!!!
When a movie makes me jump not once, not twice but three times it has to be doing something right. Certainly not the most original work ever (hello Funny Games) but pretty good. What I liked about this is that it wasn’t overflowing with blood and gore and relied on good old fashioned scares. Loved the isolated setting and thought Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman did a great job of portraying a couple who, already having a less than perfect night thanks to her marriage rejection get thrown into a nightmare even more nerve shredding. Love the creepy masks worn by the strangers and the old country songs played throughout also added to the already creepy atmosphere. Loses points for unoriginality but highly entertaining.
I wanted to like this movie. I REALLY wanted to like it. I even put up a strangers wallpaper on my computer to hype myself up about it (which i occasionally do with movies that I’m psyched for. But when I watched this I was so let down. The idea and premise of the story is awesome. Random acts of violence are creepy. But the bottom line of this movie and it’s biggest flaw was that it was just too predictable. I couldn’t get scared by this movie at all. All the “scares” that it tried to employ just fell flat. After I watched it I started to think to myself…maybe horror isn’t working for me anymore. This movie ACTUALLY had me doubting horror being scary anymore. But I know it was just this movie and there are still some awesome horror movies out there, this just isn’t one of them. The trailer scared me more than the actual movie (namely mr. pillowcase creeping from out of the shadows behind liv tyler) This movie bummed me out.
I figured, since I wrote a review for Ils (Them) that I must review the film that everyone seems to be comparing it to, The Strangers.
I won’t lie, I was horribly excited to see this one, because the trailer was an adrenaline rush of eerie and actually frightening pace. The night came where I went to see the film…and I was disappointed with what unveiled on the screen. The scares just were not there, and I was watching others in the audience freaking out, wondering if the horror industry thinks we’re that gullible, and easy to frighten. Maybe it’s just me, and my desensitization of violence…but the only thing that stood out from this film, was actually the acting, pretty convincing at parts…but the dull storyline killed this film for me .
Definitely rent this one…or if you have to, buy it used, not worth the full price for this ride.
You know.. this movie isn’t the best of course.. but it’s not a total flop. I mean when I think of it, as if I was in their shoes.. I’d personally be more scared of someone who had broken into my house – without me even knowing.. and then when I DO see them, all they do is stand and stare.. I talk to them – they say nothing, they just watch me through a mask. That would make me crazy! I’d want to knock them out. Having someone yell and me with a gun and telling me to hit the floor, that would give me some comfort, at least I know the worst he’s gonna do is blow my brains out, with the characters like in this film, you’re at a complete loss for whats going on, they could string you up by your nipples and skin you for all you know?..
SPOILER ALERT!
Let me preface this by saying that I think the big screen can make almost any movie seem decently scary. So when I saw The Strangers on DVD, it was considerably less exciting. That being said, this movie is alright. It’s not an amazing film by any stretch of the imagination, but still, it works. I love the premise. A young couple is terrorized in their home by a group of strangers. It must be pretty hard to screw up a premise like that because the thought alone is really frightening. It’s simple, terrifying, and with a few exceptions, the movie was done pretty well. The entire movie makes sense. There are no useless subplots. It had good tension, a couple of really good shocks that actually caught me off guard, and it looked great. I also really liked the killers; the masks, the motives, everything. And it certainly didn’t hurt that Liv Tyler was the leading actress. *drool* The problem with The Strangers is the number of cliches. How many times can Liv Tyler fall down? Once the action started, she spent more time hugging dirt than she did defending herself (if you can call it that). I also got fairly tired of the ‘now you see me, now you don’t’ effect. Once or twice is fine, but the strangers made themselves overly familiar with that shot. That got old years ago. And the scene where he mistakenly shoots his friend was so painfully predictable. I really doubt there were more than a couple of people in the theater who didn’t see it coming. Tack onto that some questionable decision making by the couple in distress. If there’s one thing that turns me off to a horror movie (or a movie in general), it’s when a character does something that no one would really do in that situation and it ends up costing them. You know, like the times when you’re saying, “JUST SHOOT HIM ALREADY!” and then they get shot from behind or something equally generic. Yeah, I hate those.
Having said all that, I think it says a lot that I’m giving it a 6/10 despite all of the film’s problems. Once you’ve seen the movie once, it becomes noticeably less tense, and with almost no gore, there’s really not much to hang on to. But it has a few good shocks and the premise is scary and realistic, and I think that’s The Stranger’s saving grace, although Them does it much, much better. 6/10
one of my fav movies great and creepy. has bits that make u jump
The first part of the movie was boring, but when the people started knocking on the door, thats when things started getting good. The killers in the movie were scary. The movie was great. It had alot of scary moments. I think is was one of the better killer movies i seen.
Perhaps I’m easy to scare, but I found The Strangers to be one of the most suspenseful films I’ve seen. I physically gasped in the theatre at the first reveal of the masked man in the house, and from there it was non-stop jump scares and tension.
Not original, but great for what it is. Liv Tyler is amazing and needs to do more horror!
The first time I saw this movie, I loved it. I thought it was one of the best thrillers to come along in a while, which it still may be, but, after seeing it on DVD, my opinion has changed. I don’t think it has to do with the difference between seeing the movie in the theatre and at home, I think it simply has to do with the fact that it is not as exciting the second time around. The movie has decent scare-tactics, and builds suspense relatively well.
I found the acting to be so-so, with, to my surprise, Liv Tyler giving the least powerful performance of anyone. She was not very believeable in her role, and I was very aware that she was acting.
All in all, a great movie the first go around (8/10), but one that comes down to earth the second time. 6/10
VERY VERY VERY dull up until the last half hour. The last half hour was great. This movie would have been one of the best had it been like that the whole way through.
The Strangers….before I went to see this film many reviews where attacking it saying “it doesn’t explain why they are killing them” etc….all I’m going to say “Halloween” (before the stupid back history)…Why is Michael Myers killing these people it’s not explained at all in the first film…you take it as granted. So off I went with my girlfriend (who’s a horror fan)…to watch it at the local cinema…We both enjoyed it…. Although others went “its rubbish…why are the killing them for…etc etc”…simply “cos they were home” and “it didn`t have a happy ending”……not all murders have a motive behind them…what I would of hated if Liv Tyler said “Why are you doing this to us” reply “Cos your Home” and then Liv Tyler started to talk psychobabble like “you don’t have to do this”, “hand over the knife it’s ok crap” I like the fact that one line the killer say “cos your home” says everything ….your dead. No excuses. Nothing is going to change these killers minds. My only put off to this film was Liv Tyler acting and voice it was the same voice and facial expression every time “what is it” in that gormless voice…..if you can over come that it’s a good film…makes a change the ending isn’t one of your typical “Happy endings” I mean the film would have been really crap if Liv Tyler managed to escape and kill all the murders by herself.. Rambo style…as most horror films would have it…..I just roll my eyes…Life isn’t pretty and dark things do happen…..oh and this current trend of putting “This is based on a true story” or “The events that occurred in this movie are based on a true story” is starting to get naff…
i love the slasher genre and i really enjoyed this film. i really dont think it was as cliced as some say and im anticipating the sequel.
i love the slasher genre and i really enjoyed this film. i really dont think it was as cliced as some say and im anticipating the sequel.
What starts out as a rather suspenseful and creepy thriller quickly transcends into a predictable and rather stupid “horror-by-numbers”, where we aren’t even given a motive for why these people are targeting to two protagonists. Dissapointing third act and ending, and those “jump scares” are completely pointless (as they are in every horror film). 4/10.
very suspenseful i liked the no motive it made it better. it also had people you kinda cared about. the very end was a little weak but overall good movie. not a movie you’ll watch over and over but the first time you see it it’ll grab you.
FICTITIOUS TRUE EVENTS INSPIRE: THE STRANGER
The Strangers has had some box office success uncommon for a low budget ($9,000,000) horror film that was also beset with production and delayed release problems. It pulled in over $20,000,000 on its opening weekend of May 30th and made over $50,000,000 in less than a month. Not bad at all. Okay, but does that mean it is really a great movie? First off the movie, written and directed by Bryan Bertino, is marketed as being based on actual events. The movie even opens with a silly narration about FBI statistics and that the facts in the case of Kristen Mckay and James Hoyt are “still not entirely known”. That is because there has never been a true case of crime that involved a couple named Kristen Mckay and James Hoyt. Despite what you may read on the net by conspiracy nuts there is no such case. Some urban-myth prone bloggers have gone so far as to claim the case is actually true but that all records have been “scrubbed” from the Internet to protect the surviving family members privacy. That is crap. There is no confirmation from the filmmakers that the film is based on the Keddie murders in California in 1981 and the only confirmed true event that inspired Bertino seems to be a unimaginably heinous event from his childhood when a stranger knocked on the family door asking for someone who did not live there. Later it was found out some empty houses in the neighborhood were broken into that night. My God!!!
The story was filmed in rural South Carolina and overall the direction is top notch as well as is the acting from Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman, as the victims. The problem is the really lame story and pointless ending where the bad guys triumph and ride off into the sunset assuring each each other “It’ll be easier next time”. In all honesty the story is one that we brave but jaded soulswho ingest horror/slash films have seen in some form a million times before. People in a house in the woods are stalked by one or more thrill killers whose only motive is to see people suffer and die. We do not expect a great deviation from the slasher film formula and I would say my gripe with this film is just that: that in its attempt to be unique it veers too far away from the formulaic ending where the girl in house either prevails or breaks even against the evil forces that have stalked and tormented her for ninety minutes or more.
After a rather bleak evening where James has had his marriage proposal rejected by Kristen they wind up at the Hoyt family home to sort things out or something. A girl knocks on the door asking for Tamara, but no Tamara lives there (see the connection now to the actual events the film was based on?) and later after James leaves there are loud bangs and knockings all over the house in a scene reminiscent of Nimrod Antal’s similar film from 2007 Vacancy. Little things are moved around the house or disappear causing Kirsten to realize someone is in the house with her and in one fairly creepy scene the Man in the Mask silently watches Kirsten as she fidgets in the kitchen. There are spooky and jolting moments and at times the tension is built up nicely. Liv Tyler carries a lot of the movie on her own and does fine really as the stalked female who must stand face to face with monstrous evil.
The Masked Man revels himself to her from the window it a predictable but effective scene and panic takes her over by the time James returns in response to her frightened phone call (he left her alone in the house after the doll faced girl episode and loud bangings to go get a pack of cigarettes!). At first dubious he soon is convinced as one of the stalkers appears at the end of the driveway in a doll’s mask. Soon the film is a stand off with Kirsten and James inside the house and the psychos both in and out at their leisure. James actually finds a shot gun and plenty of ammunition but only succeeds in killing a friend of his who shows up later. I mean, this guy had a blasted shot gun and blows it. Kirsten and James decide they need to leave the house and run around outside in the dark and try to get to the tool shed and a radio that is located there. Not a good idea of course. This and that effectively jolting event happens but in the end we are left with a totally downbeat ending that makes the whole movie’s journey a waste of time.
The killers simply tie up the hapless pair and stab them to death slowly with a butcher knife. Now you can read into whatever you want, like, that this how life really is and the bad guys win and get away to do it all again. And sadly that is often the case. But also, the bad guys don’t usually just lumber around in near slow motion or sit in swing sets in a doll mask and try to look eerie. That the heros in this film do not inflict even one injury on their evil assailants is just too unbelievable especially considering that two of them are simply human women and the protagonists had a shot gun at one point. Liv Tyler could have been a screen queen to rival Jamie Lee Curtis but instead she winds up a babbling hysterical basket case who can’t hold her ground against even female slashers. Jamie Lee fended off Michael Myers with a clothes hanger or Chrissake. And then we are treating to a totally patronizing life where the two victims realize only too late how much they love each and now say the words… only it is too late. So the lesson we learn from this is you have to say those words while you can people, before a band of serial killers rob you of the opportunity.
This is an okay slasher/stalker type film that did well, I think, based on the hype and marketing. And there is nothing wrong with that. But don’t go into thinking it is anything more than an average to slightly above average slasher film. Basically you have two characters that are never fully developed who are beaten down and killed and a trio of killers you never know anything about, not even what they really look like who ride off in a Ford truck most likely into a true event inspired sequel. If you want to see a bleak film based on true events see one of the versions of Helter Skelter (1976 and 2004) based on the Manson Family murders. And Charlie is a lot scarier than a silent, staring girl in a doll mask. Go ahead and see it, but don’t go buying into the true event web lore that has developed around this simple slasher stalks girl in the house film.
i thought this was okay, and thats about as nice as i can be about the film, i liked the idea of not revealing the killers and why they are doing what they are doing, i thought this really cool and added more suspense and was that bit disturbing, but on the whole, i just found the movie rather tame, i just didnt find a bang and then liv tyler screaming rather scary to be honest, sure there are one or two moments where your slightly on the edge of your seat, but that is literally it, one or two moments. However i dont want to give out the wrong impression about the movie, its not a bad movie it has its good points i loved the ending and the tagline “because you were home”, but on the whole its not a great movie and there are better flicks out there from this sub genre of home invasion, but if it comes on the tv or you see it cheap somewhere on dvd dont be too afraid to check it out
Let’s put it this way, I actually went out and bought this movie after seeing the endless number of ads for it on TV. I looked good, it sounded good. Then I watched it… Holy shit… There’s a part where you get to watch Liv Tyler crawl from the house to the garage and back again. That whole thing right there takes up about 30 minutes of the film. Along the way you see the bad guys just screwing around (moping about in the woods, swinging on a swing-set, staring off into space, etc.) What a snoozefest…. The ending wasn’t satisfying, either. If you haven’t seen this movie yet, trust me, you’re not missing anything.
I actually really loved this movie! Incredibly simple, nothing new going on plot wise, just two people being tortured for no reason in the woods, but it hit a nerve for me. I love being genuinely scared when I watch horror flicks, and the less you know about the killers, the eerier it is.
Love the cover and trailer. HATE the movie. It was terrible. What a disappointment!
very suspenseful … bit slow in parts but thats the only down parts
This movie is kind of slow, but the plot is pretty believable and somewhat creeped me out. The Strangers are also pretty creepy with their masks and childish cruelty.
i thought this movie was pretty decent. Scared me in the theatre for sure. I loved the way there was a certain anonymity at the end with the killers. there were alot of scenes that made me jump. The story itself was pretty good because it wasn’t far fetched from reality. It didn’t have a killer that wouldn’t die or a killer doll, it was just about being at the wrong place at the wrong time. I do thing the guy Mike, who got his head blown off could have done a better job of making his presence known for christ’s sake. Liv Tyler was amazing in this, she plays the horror role very well. She doesn’t have an exaggerated performance, but its not dull either. I thought it was one of the better movies,on the horror side of 2008. My favorite scene is when Liv is in the bedroom and she opens the curtains to look out and there is the mask. well done.
good film i got preety freaked out by it the mask and jst the way the act there full on frow it frew killers bang bang on the door the dnt give a shit nd it was low budgeted film good plot jst killers killin fr fun wat more do u wnt 7/10
Firstly, I don’t think most of the criticism claiming that the movie’s plot is unoriginal is fair. It’s a basic setup–one that has been utilized many times and long before Them.
Technically, this film is sound. Great cinematography, sound design, and acting. The direction is above average, with the exception of some of the shot design. I genuinely cared and worried for the characters, whether it be their unstable relationship or surviving the night. When the film is going full throttle, it really works and has you hooked.
The biggest downfall to this film is pacing and storytelling. The middle, as many have said, drags. This is for two reasons: repetition of scares and lack of direction.
Of course, the ending is a bit jumbled and carries on far too long. Perhaps a studio’s tinkering job?
I liked it. It made me nervous as hell!!
The loud knock.
The killer emerging from the shadows (only other movies I’ve seen that in were Capenter’s Halloween and Inside)
The killer peeking in the window.
Good stuff. And yeah yeah there were those textbook “jump scares”, but whatever… even comedies have those now.
another flick that did absolutely nothing for me boaring same ole recycled crap again…why do people like this movie so much…mystery to me.
I liked this movie, dang it I really enjoyed it! The simplicity of this movie was executed very nicley, and really it made staying home a jittery experience from the movie aftermath. Very nice acting, not too annoying, or all-around stupidity. At times this movie got a little too predictable, but there’s only a few ways for a plot to go in a house alone. The killers were terrifying. The reason why they’re there is just as terrifying. The senses held much suspense, and what really made this movie effective, was the asking of the question, “what if that happened..” A very real movie, with very real fears.
“The Strangers” was a very welcome addition to our beloved genre. From the throwback, 70′s-ish vibe and plot, all the way to the dark ending.It’s very rare these days that a horror movie has me on edge from start to beginning. “The Strangers” is one of those movies.
The Stranger’s in my book is a new classic! It was the first movie in years to actually scare me! Not just get my heart rate it.It really scared the shit out of me.Also had great character base.Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman both give the best performances I’ve seen give yet.So at the end(don’t won’t to give away anything for anyone who hasn’t seen it but…) you feel for them and see how much they really love each other and it almost makes you want to cry because you would think they were a real life couple.VERY REAL ACTING! Also the killer’s were vicious and scary.The end was one of the most shocking ending’s ever for me but I like the unrated ending much better then the theatrical one.DON’T MISS THIS MOVIE GUY’S.My all time favorite home invasion flick!
Worszt piece of shit ever. Liv “whore” Tyler can’t act. They get stabbed, that’s the big ending.
A Big let down to what looked to be a promising movie. Not as scary as the critics and tv spots made it look
The Strangers goes by the philosophy “less is more.” It kept me on the edge of my seat. I recomend it to anyone
This was a pretty awesome ORIGINAL horror film of 2008.
I am still confused how any real horror fan can like this film. I have been a collector for 20 years and I just cannot see where this film is scary or disturbing at all.
Lame boyfriend, clumsy girlfriend, and really lame intruders.
WOW.
Scary.
For a 3rd grader.
Maybe I am just jaded really badly but this was so lame it is just sad.
I guess for all the new pop culture remake fans in their teens it is cool, but really, go back and watch real horror before you try to say this was scary or entertaining at all.
This movie made me not want to go home. I am freakin terrified of people with masks! Great nail bitter, had supsense whole way through. Also the atmosphere of the film was spooky like the setting and the 70′s style house threw me back toward old horror movies. I screamed, i’ll admit it. Great movie, i definately recomend it.
This movie was lame.It had some good moments while some of the scare tactics were poorly executed.The story was poorly fleshed out with parted like the beginning that just seemed like it was thrown in there for the hell of it and wasn’t nessacary. I hated liv tyler’s performance in the movie,it couldn’t convince you at all which I think lead to the downfall for some of the intensity and scares.
I really was creeped out at times.
It was good but not great, the trailer looked good but I was disappointed with all the hype. But I liked how it suspenseful,can’t wait for The Strangers 2
7/10
very scary movie,but the ending was crap.
Wow. What a disappointing movie. It is absolutely unbelievable that the film could have faltered this much. The first time I watched, I did not know what to possibly say about. But after seeing it for a second time, now I have enough to complete my rant. This movie had all of the elements it needed for a good movie and enjoyable experience for the viewer. Somehow, they failed to put the pieces together. This film is an example of the trailer showing all of the good parts of the film and leaving the others to die in the film. The trailer was great. I do not know how this film could have failed after so much hype. Now, about the film, I will say that there were many elements that were played to almost perfection. The acting was well done, there was good dialogue, and the characters are believable. I thought that for a movie like this, the acting was pretty top notch, especially when I thought that it would probably be subpar. Another good quality about this movie is that it has no fake jump scares, only legitimate scares. Now, to continue my rant, here are the cons of this film. First, the film may contain legitimate scares, but, they are not scary at all. And, most of them are reserved for the first half of the film. This film’s goal, obviously, was to be both scary and eerie; yet, it only accomplishes to be eerie. Throughout the whole film, it tries to accomplish an eerie tone, and it does just that, but to do that, it relies heavily on the calmness and slow entrances of the killers. Unfortunately, nowadays, the average moviegoer would find the slow entrances of the killers, who also would sometimes supply some creeper stares, to be absolutely comedic, showing how much horror has fallen. Another thing I was disappointed with was the pacing of it. Now, I knew that it’s pacing would not be like that of Quarantine or The Descent, but I imagined it to be a little faster than what I saw. It was slow, which probably aided to the movie being not so scary. In fact, the only scare that actually made me jump a little was when the friend of Scott Speedman enters the house, starts looking for the couple, and the male killer appears behind him with an axe. The movie scene goes by slow enough that I completely forgot about Scott Speedman and Liv Tyler hiding in a room down the hall. Another dislike about this movie is that it creates many unrealistic scenarios for a movie that tries to be as realistic as possible. At the end, with the two little good Christian boys riding on their bikes and coming to the house of the victims, they go inside, and act as if they had seen blood on walls, knives, and dead bodies before. It is as if the traumatic experiences they had of their “holy” Father raping them in a dark, locked, isolated cellar, sticking his two fingers up each of their asses, was enough for them to be numb from emotion after seeing a crime scene covered in dead bodies and blood. Another example is the main subplot, which is Liv Tyler turning down Speedman’s proposal. At the beginning, you can tell that they are trying to mentally isolate themselves from one another, but they can’t show it. And as soon as they get to the summer home, you can feel that there is a possibility of their tryst renewing, and when it does, they are interrupted (so goddamn cliché), and then they go back to trying to isolate themselves. I just kept thinking to myself, “If there is going to be this much emotional imbalance, I may as well be watching a porno.” Finally, and most importantly, this movie has absolutely almost no identity. It does not know what it wants to be. At one point, it wants to be a home invasion flick, a slasher film, or something like Saw. The best way I can describe this movie is a watered-down torture porn. Now, I wanted this movie to be good, but it just was not. But, it was enjoyable, to an extent. I will watch this film again and again, but my feelings for it will, unfortunately, stay the same. This movie had everything it needed to be a good horror film. It had good acting, the location was perfect, it had the right feel (kind of), and it did not give us any cheap scares like most horror films do now, which is sad and is pretty much the beginning of the death of the horror genre as we know it. Just watching this film fall from grace makes me want to find director Bryan Bertino, wrap my hands around his throat, and scream in his face, “HOW, AND WHY, DID YOU FUCK THIS UP!” The Strangers could have been successful in being a good horror movie, but, sadly, it falls flat on its back like a nymph.
It almost sounds like I was the only one impressed by the movie. Not too impressed as it may sound, but I liked the overall aspect of the movie mainly because the characters really spooked me. Grant it, it isn’t too scary, I like to think of it more as a terror film rather than horror. What really made me think this movie was as great compared to those that weren’t too thrilled with the outcome, was the fact that throughout most of the month of June, I went to bed with this movie in mind and it really gave me some haunting nights. The movie is very basic yes and is predictable, but I think I was the only one out of maybe 30 people in the theatre to actually imagine me in that situation. There really isn’t much I could say about the film, good or bad, that all of you already know. But I thought to at least give this a decent review, I had to share some personal insite. To narrow it down to a few short lines: This movie was good, not great, but good enough to make me scared. Boring with the fact the whole thing was centered on this cabin with a helpless couple that you knew was going to die in the end anyways but almost wrong to watch them suffer. I say that only because Liv Tyler definately knows how to play the “being tortured” parts really well. I liked it. But very skeptical of a sequal.
this movie is ok, but does not deserve the hype that it got…otherwise though i am excited to see where the sequel goes if there is one…
I like how the acting was like someone would actually be in a situation like this. Some horror films have the characters amazingly know what to do in some crazy, fucked up situations.Which these characters don’t,and that makes them good and dead realistically, that makes it good. THis isn’t my favorate by all means but it is a really good flick.
Best and jumpiest movie I ever saw in theaters!
I don’t understand all the hate. Scary from the beginning to the end. I loved it!
Well done, realistic, jumpy, and twisted… This is a pyschological messed up movie with very good acting… Movie puts you in there seats and gives you a extreme tenseness to it. Definitely worth watching and may make you jump….
I finally got around to watching this one, and I wasn’t impressed. It’s very much like the French film “Ils”, but not anywhere as good. This film seems to have a very limited bag of tricks it uses to try and scare its audience. One is the “sudden loud sound” trick, mostly involving people knocking on the couple’s door. Yes, that’s right, the big scare in this movie is somebody knocking on the door. Very sad and not scary at all. The other trick they try to use is having one of the mask wearing antagonists hanging out behind one of the characters, where the character is completely unaware of the scary person behind them. Then they get the feeling they are being watched, whirl around and there’s nobody there! Wow, how scary, how original! This movie moves at a glacial pace and is so predictable and cliched. The cinematography is pretty bad as well, it doesn’t use the horrible “shaky cam” that so many use today, but the camera does always seem to be slowly bobbing up and down for no discernible reason. It gets very annoying after awhile. They also keep cutting away to the outside of the house, showing us the roads, the trees, the mailbox – it’s all very nice and all, but I am more interested in what’s going on in the house. Then again, maybe not.
I can see why people would love this. Yeah, it’s a psychological thriller and it’s a bit more realistic than most films in the genre, but hell, it should be entertaining too.
I’m just not sure why seeing someone in a mask standing there is all that terrifying. Cause that’s essentially the whole movie. “Check out this dude with the mask standing here. Now over here. Now walking by in the background.”
When the movie finally “gets to it”, as the kids these days are saying, it’s over before you know it and the resolution isn’t all that clear or satisfying. The fact that the movie starts with how it ends doesn’t help either.
It gets props for trying and I truly appreciate that, but it’ll never be anything to brag to your friends about or add to your classics collection.
i thought it was a pretty good movie a lot of people diss this movie, but the whole invasion thing I actually think was done quite well in this film.
I felt this movie was completely terrifying. The whole home invasion thing really gets to me. Maybe it’s the fact that my house was broken into while i was young? maybe not. Whatever it was, this movie was so much more intense than anything else I’d seen recently.
There’s really never a relaxed moment once the ball got rolling. After about 15 minutes, the family of masked intruders came and from then on I was on the edge of my seat, which is actually a really hard thing to get me to do.
The best aspect though, was not the fact that the film was so terrifying. What kept me liking the movie, and made it the most scary for me was the fact that it wasn’t trying to justify anything. They didn’t give some long explanation for the family’s actions, some wild crazy flashback, or pitiful sympathy story. They’re just a crazy twisted family, and when you’re being tormented by them, you aren’t thinking about their backstory. Bonus points for not delving into that plot cliche to the filmakers.
Everyone I know hates this movie, But I enjoyed it!It wasn’t what I had expected but I liked it
this is amazing . i love it .Special man in mask !
not to bad but it was kind of boring
This movie is very cool. Doll face really steals the show though.
Saw the movie when it first came out in theaters and loved every minute of it. This movie went back to the creepy feeling like classic horror films had. you don’t get that to often now of days. the movie was just intense, if you like horror films that actually creep you out, this is the one to watch!
this movie was pretty good.
the story is pretty simple and it has a few terryfying moments.
although when it tries to scare you, it doesnt work but it is best when it is not trying to scare you because those are the most horryfying moments.
my best friends right, doll face does steal the show.
Man this movie is SUSPENSEFUL! It had me really tense the whole time through. Not that scary, but very creepy.
This movie was good at scaring the crap out of its audience. i just love this movie and i cant believe it got such a low score.
If you want a good scare, see this movie
Started out great, but the scares became redundant.
Watch THEM instead, much more interesting, realistic, with a thought-provoking ending.
But I do hope that the creeps who did this rot in jail.
I was actually quite disappointed with this film.
The commercials made it look amazingly scary, but really it wasn’t worht watching at all.
1/10
A very creepy, intense, suspenseful thriller that will have your heart skip a beat. The acting was strong, Liv Tyler gave it her all and I hope we see more of her in the future, she is a great, deserving actress. Definately the scariest american horror movie so far this year. If you liked Them(Ils) you’ll love this.
This movie was fantastic.
Of course, the first time I watched it was in theaters, so it was pretty intense.
The 2nd time was a little less intense, and the 3rd time wasn’t too great.
But I will attempt to take its defense. In reference to the official BD review (no offense to Mr. Disgusting; your reviews are generally very well thought out), this movie was compared to “Funny Games,” and “Vacancy.” This film should not be compared to either; “Funny Games” was crap! “Vacancy” wasn’t AS bad, but it was still pretty unoriginal.
“The Strangers” has one of the most terrifying premises ever; it’s very simple but it manages to scare. The ONLY problem with this film is the ending; it was pretty ridiculous; Liv Tyler’s character should’ve stayed dead. But other than that, the film was very good!!!
this is the worst horror movie i have ever seen . fucking terrible. not one scary moment and all predictable i would not recomend this movie to anyone i think i would rather re enact the movie 2 girls 1 cup than watch the strangers again
I remember seeing this when it came out i was so excited! Boy was i wrong this movie is boring with lame acting.
This could have been good. That’s the worst part. The plot was good (Basically a home invasion in the middle of nowhere. OOOO no one can hear you scream!) But they take so damn long to get to the climax it lost my attention and the payoff wasn’t any better than the OPENING SCENE of the new Friday the 13th. So watch the first 5 minutes of Friday the 13th or watch boring exposition for an hour or so beforehand.
creepy at times but more so of what we have already seen. It get a meh from me
Worst movie I’ve ever seen all the way through.
Yes, I watched it to the end.
I’m not even going to bother with details.
Garbage.
I loved the movie..
Lots of tension, acted well.
Another horror film to show dumb how people are in horror movies when you have about twenty shotgun shells and a shotgun against three intruders armed with an axe ,a hatchet, and a knife you deserve to die if you don’t blow any of there heads off.I hate movies like this.It pisses me off how stupid the characters are.The movie is intense and well acted but by the ending you are so mad by how ignorant the characters are you can careless about there fate.Nothing Original!
sooo scary!! i watch it alot!! the strangers are demented and twisted!!! the blonde girl is the scariest cuz when she tells the boy she is sometimes a sinner!!! she just killed ppl!!! i cant wait for the second one!! hope liv makes it!!!
Something about this movie made me wanting to know what the whole theme for it was. Like at the end how the killers gave he boys on their bikes flyers for they’re religion? And when they asked ” why are you doing this to us? ” they said ” because you’re home. ” I felt like there was more to the movie then you see. What is it? No idea..
I adore Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman and I think
they’re amazing actors however I thought this film was a huge disappoinment in every sequince
possible what a massive BLOW.
I saw this movie in theater and no one should ever pay money to see this dissappointing film. I give credit only to the idiots that screamed in the movie theather only cause they had no idea or concept what a good horror movie is. I thought to my self even if anyone was in this situation they sure would have at least killed one of the masked idiots. Or at least ran better…I always say to the big boobed hotties in horror movies a little less screaming and a little more running..the end
There is plenty of tension and suspense and there are some very subtle creepy moments, but the film lacked some good solid action! I wish it had more action instead of them just plodding around the house. But it is a a creepy film and isn’t as bad as some people make it out to be
A good film overall. some tension but not alot. when i got this film i hoped it was going to be good but when i watched it i started to get confused. the begining was good but then suddenly after the part where a man got killed it went MENTAL!!! it made no sense after that!!! When the 3 strangers unmasked themselves i got excited. But you never saw what they looked like so i was disappointed. but at least the film had a cliffhanger so thats okay!! i thought the film was OKAY but needed some improving.
extermly creepy and made me think it could happen to me i thought it was “bonechilling” plus i screamed at a few parts
I really like this movie. Very tense!
What I love about this movie is the absolute lack of detail in every single aspect. Right down to the title, “The Strangers” is as cut-and-dry as a movie like this can be. Though Scott Speedman’s performance is like chewing on styrofoam, and Liv Tyler’s is like chewing on foil, I can get past that because they die (well, 1/2 of them die. Apparently Liv’s alive. Whoopee).
The loud bangs and booms are more annoying than they are scary, but once that’s all said and done, the chase scenes and creep-up-behind-you scenes are pretty suspenseful and enjoyable. One part in particular was a bit gut-wrenching. When Glenn Howerton’s character is coming down the hall and you just KNOW he’s going to die, but you know you can’t do anything about it, it’s pretty nuts.
Another favorite was the (.5) deaths of the main characters. After all that torture and destruction they went through, they end up tied up and stabbed to (1/2) death. How unfortunate.
So in the end, besides the terrible acting, which is excusable in this type of movie, “The Strangers” isn’t too bad and is indeed pretty entertaining.
If you haven’t seen it, try to find it online. I don’t reccommend buying it, because you won’t want to watch it over, but it’s worth a first look.
The Strangers is a film which starts off strong but gradually loses steam as the plot and scare tactics progress. In the first half of the film we are treated to intimate camera work and character-driven scenes, played tenderly by Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman. An amber lighting casts a glow upon the actors and the set, and the relationship between the characters and the reasons for their present tension are revealed slowly and with great directorial craft. A minimal musical score floats throughout the film, and instead a record player provides offbeat, eerie melodies that help to build the tension of the moment.
A woman shows up at the couple’s darkened doorstep and asks if her friend is home, and when the seemingly drug influenced girl is told she has the wrong house she walks away into the night. Later, when Liv Tyler’s character is alone, the girl returns, creating a fantastically creepy scene using only muffled noises from behind a wooden door. Soon it becomes obvious that the girl is not alone, and the masked figures that are with her plan to make the couple’s night a living hell from which they will not survive. The intruders’ motive is the most unsettling of all – it is simply because the couple was home. It is not revenge or jealousy that ensures their victimization, but merely bad timing. There is a great deal to be offered by this movie, not the least of which is the capable acting of its leads and the effective mood which the director is able to create.
Unfortunately, the film’s second half begins to fall into predictable pitfalls and eventually both the suspense and originality is lost. This makes the relatively short film appear to drag on beyond that which the plot logically allows. The scares here are not new, and it is only a matter of time before they feel downright old. The movie runs in at a little less than an hour and a half, but it would have been stronger had it been even a bit shorter – before the scares would need to be recycled and the characters are forced to make foolish decisions (splitting up, etc.) for the sake of moving along the plot. By the time we arrive at the final scenes we are actually relieved, rather than terrified, to at least have some resolution on the horizon.
Luckily, the film is equipped with a satisfying ending that keeps the viewer from feeling cheated. Truly, there is some quality direction in this work, but this gets bogged down in a script that cannot keep afloat its originality. It is certainly a well-crafted movie worth seeing, but what will be remembered of it in years to come is difficult to say.
C+
This movie was absolute garbarge (that i rented) so at least i saved three bucks. I spent five bucks, i coulda bout a nice meal of the dollar menu. I could bought a five tastey packets of gum…all would have been more enjoyable than this piece of crap film. And why does Glenn Howerton insist on being in shitty movies where he always dies? He must not favor his career.
Im all for the “home intrusion” scenario becuase i think it’s really hard-hitting realistic horror, but this movie was just done bad. And i usually love just about any horror flick, but this one was as bad as they come, and the ending. Dont get me started “because you were home….” haha such a stupid line.
I really liked this movie. Had some great creepy parts. Makes you jump through out the movie. The actors were great.
I think the thing that made this movie so bone chillingly perfect is the haunting performance Liv Tyler delivered. Every scream that came out of her mouth terrified me.
The Strangers is and always will be one of my favorites.
best horror movie.
I saw this at the theatre, and was drawn to it like a moth to a flame, but for some reason in the end the flame died. Was it because there was no way in hell that these people were going to live? The intruders were to “perfect” for me. I’ll give it 3 skulls basicly for originality-but could’ve been better.
I thought the movie was alright, but what bothers me now about it is that those Piece of crap Teenagers in New Hampshire that coppied the film and killed that poor RN and nearly her daughter (who’s throat they slit so wide that Doctors can’t believe she lived!)!! Now, that poor girl has to grow up with that and I can’t even watch the film…I hope they rot in hell!
Idea is good but the film sucks. Not even worth watching. Stupid protagonists.
I have to admit, I really liked this movie! I have seen alot of horror movies in my time and being 42 years old, not whole lot of flix scare me anymore. This one did! With the creepy atmosphere and an almost non existant soundtrack, it got to me. Cant wait for the sequel…
it was OK I wasn’t wildly impressed but there were some good parts of the movie
This film fucking blows! The characters were idiotic and the killers (Strangers) were total pussies! They didn’t even kill anyone until the end of the film and that was 1 fucking person!! Nothing made sense when I started watching it and it just confused me after it was all over! What fucking purpose did they have for fucking with these people in the first place? There’s questions in this film that could have been answered, but to bad it was all just fucking pushed aside! I really don’t know about this one. It’s not even worth watching! If you haven’t seen it, then consider yourself lucky. Cause it just flat out sucks balls!
This is like an awesome horror family type of movie u have this crazy family who tries to kill this couple but cant and then finally at the end they catch them but they just kill the husband or so they think , the wife ends up living cause i think she was pregnant or something so thats probably what saved her:0 cant wait till number 2 comes out:0
It was alright as a time waster, but i wouldnt watch this film again.
It should had more tension in the movie, I don’t know what it was but it just seemed the movie wasn’t what I was expecting.
IT JUST SHOWS YOU THAT YOU DO NOT NEED GORE IN EVERY HORROR MOVIE! THIS MOVIE IS RARE CAUSE NOT MANY OF THESE TYPE OF MOVIES COME OUT. I HAVE TO GIVE IT PROPS FOR MAKING ME SCARED AT JUST LOOOKING AT THE KILLERS. TYLER HAS THE PERFECT SCREAM THAT WILL SCARE YOU. THIS MOVIE MADE ME SCREAM OUT LOUD. IT FEELS REALIST. THE STORY LINE IS SOO THIN YOU COULD SEE RIGHT THOUGHT IT. IT DOES WHAT HORROR MOVIES ARE SUPPOSE TO DO. SCARE YOU! IT IS UNPREDICTABLE AND NO SCARY MUSIC TO TELL YOU SOMETHING IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN. THESE ARE JUMP SCARES AND DONE BEAUTIFUL. MOST WILL NOT LIKE ITS ENDING BUT I FOUND IT TO BE GOOD AND TELLS YOU WHY THEY NAME THE MOVIE THE STRANGERS. CAUSE THEY ARE STRANGERS.
‘The Strangers’ is a 2008 movie thats is based on the true crime novel of Helter Skelter as a Horror & Thriller film. The revolves on a young couple who are terrorized by three masked assailants (two women & one man) and terminate all means of escape. The Movie is dark & creepy toned style film & has unique clever style/element set on the movie, while I think it’s an interesting Horror/Thriller movie (based on true crime).
The movie acting was great by all involved in the movie, while the film starts really slow but it has that slow pratcial storyline/plot it gets interesting with the terror, thrills & chills, the film had the sense of a terrifying suspense thriller in a remote summer suburban home (which could happen to anyone, which is really scary), if this really was based on a true crime then am spooky as things like that really do happen in life (when that women says “because you were home” is messed up) with crazy messed up people & that get parents & anit-people that don’t like Horror & thriller making this film a bad target. The movie is a practical scary movie that is good but it is bad soo I found it to be a average/decent horror & thriller film, the movie has brilliant emotionally depth, terrific know show on ‘the three
Damn another crappy one
This movie started really good, great acting and tense scenes then it just got boring and more boring. Are we supposed 2 think it’s so cool they never showed the killers faces? To me it made the movie annoying. I can’t believe they only killed 1 damn person and in a boring way for all the damn effort they put in to f**king with them! This wasn’t a Michael Myers mask like scare by far. Great horror home invasion movies are Inside and The Collector. Skip this and watch those instead.
Man, I had high expectations for this movie(silly me)and of course I was highly disappointed. This movie just drags on and on for a climax that really doesn’t “climax”. And “the strangers” weren’t scary at all. Sorry but this was a steamer. A potentially good movie that was sadly misdirected. I wouldn’t recommend this to anybody.
Some horror films, usually the good ones, have a message. Sometimes the message isn’t obvious, sometimes it is. Sometimes the message is quite powering and sometimes it is just brutal. Texas Chainsaw had a message about the horrors of the Vietnam War, Nightmare had the message about adolescent trauma; even Friday the 13th has a message about teenage issues with authority figures. The message here is obvious and brutal, and the message is some people are just evil, pure unadulterated evil.
The film follows a young couple (Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman both giving raw and emotional performances) who are staying in an isolated vacation home are then terrorized by three unknown assailants.
I don’t get scared by fantasy or supernatural horror, I’m a logical and rational person who can separate reality from fantasy but when the two cross over through a medium like film it does mess with my mind, the term “mind-fuck” comes to mind. The realism of the film is the main reason why it succeeded to scare me half to death, in conjunction with the tense atmosphere, the situation is in fact quite feasible, and we know there are sadistic people in the world that are capable of such malicious acts. We are never given a glimpse into their obvious fractured psyches, we just get one reason. One line that delivered in such an unabashed and frank way that it is sure to send a shiver down your spine, “Because you were home”. Now if that isn’t frightening to you, I can’t honestly tell you what would scare you, but I know on some level this film will/has affected you.
The film, like most horror films, has the moral of materialism. The couple use a rather expensive looking piano to protect themselves because material objects mean nothing when faced in a life or death situation, it’s ironic that we live our lives collecting such things but when an event like this happens all of that goes out of the window, so to speak, and add more insult to the irony it is an innate behavior, to protect ourselves anyway we can, so if you think about it, all of the things you have spent your life collecting no matter how precious will mean nothing to you once a situation like this arises. It’s the bittersweet world we live in.
What can I say about the atmosphere here? It’s spiteful; it teases you in the exact same way the victims are being teased by their hunters right before your eyes. The shaky camera adds to the realism the director Bryan Bertino is trying to perpetuate and he does a hell of a job and not only this the use of female psychopaths was a great move, we are so used to seeing a male terrorizing females but here the tables are turned by using two females committing these atrocious acts which screws with the big clichés that the majority of horror films seem to follow, this is why I forgive the films usage of little clichés throughout. Substance and genuine shock and fear blended together, what more could you want?
Skip to the End
8.5/10
Raw, horrific, shockingly real and above all it has a message that will, if you hadn’t already, will make you question mankind and how much we are actually capable of.
This is a descent time-waster. It’s got Liv Tyler in it…yum. Nothing about it stands out to me. I barely remember what it is about. Okay for a rental.
Good but certainly not great.
A good idea, but too many frustrating moments.
BORRRRRRRRR-RIIIINGGGGG…
This is the worst and most boring garbage i’ve ever seen
i spent one and half hours in front of a couple being chased by three people,who didn’t reveal their faces,their motives or at least why the chose that particular couple
Pranks turn to home invasion and then some. A flick that deserves a rental but thats about it.
The Strangers is a 9.000.000 dollar budgeted film horror film directed by Bryan Bertino from 2008.
Plot: After a wedding reception, a young couple Kirsten(Liv Tyler) and James(Scott Speedman) retreat to a vacation cabin owned by James’s parents. James goes out for cigarettes leaving Kirsten alone and vulnerable. Kirsten all alone now, is disturbed by loud knocks and thumps from outside and inside the cabin. Masked Strangers are stalking Kirsten in typical cat & mouse fashion.
My main problem is that it takes too long for the story to get interesting or intriguing. Not to mention the opening of the film claiming Strangers was based on actual events. Such an opening , depending on the viewer , either promises an interesting premise or mediocre story build up.
The characters have no background depth, and lack an explanation for their sinking ship relationship. The whole film also suffers from an all too pristine look from the insides of a film studio set. The Strangers looks a glossy expensive slasher flick in my opinion.
I can’t say I disliked Strangers, but it didn’t suck me in either. 40 % for a story with potential, 10 % for decent acting, and another 10 % for not being dependant on bad CGI, but delivers the scares effectively without visually cheating the viewer.
Still not that bad if you have patience. As soon as the Strangers turn up with their creepy puppet like masks and presence it’s quite good actually. By the time the story gets moving, I was left feeling cheated with an unsatisfactory climax, leaving too many questions unanswered.
The Strangers does have its moments though, but are all few and short lived. A shame as a production with such a promising potential that could have been really good, but seems a bit rushed.
As I also am in a hurry, I therefore am removing 10 % , leaving Strangers with a mere inconclusive 50%.
You might think that getting a random knock on your door meant nothing, but what if it was more than you had anticipated? This is a question we’ve all had…maybe that random phone call was intended for someone else, but what if it was a misdirection? Takes a simple concept and carries it out in a simple way, that is still quite effective. The awkward tension between not only the main characters but also between them and their tormentors makes this an all around tense film. More information here:
http://thewolfmancometh.com/2010/12/11/the-strangers-2008/
Regardless of the standard home invasion ripoff plot, it’s a very entertaining film that keeps the tension knob turned on high the whole time with some surprises along the way. Liv Tyler does an incredible job portraying the sheer terror of the situation. Definitely worth watching.
Loved it! Very creepy, disturbing, intense and interesting.
Good acting! When I watched this in theaters, I definitely screamed a couple times, but when I watched it home it was ‘eh’. First time I watched it, I loved it though.
This was most definitely a “jump” movie. I don’t think there was ever a time for anyone where they were wondering who was doing it…For me at least it was a general knowing that it was just 3 people who liked to hurt others. It was a very disturbing movie and will definitely put you in a weird state of mind for a bit. Makes you think twice about going out to the middle of nowhere and ever answering your door ever again.
Not bad, but not good or memorable.
Watch it if you get the chance, but don’t go out of your way to see it.
The film is good. It isn’t the best but it is interesting.
Why does the boyfriend always tell the girlfriend to ‘stay inside’ or ‘stay there hiding in the obvious hiding spot’. Then again if they teamed up their may defeat the bad guys and the movie may as well not exsist.
It was a good movie, but I’m always one when it comes to these movies surrounding a house to get annoyed and yell run, just run from the house, go outside.. haha
this movie made me a lil upset I thought they were going to kill those little guys and I did not lke the feeling of being incomplete as if their was no ending who were these strangers and why those people was it just because “they were home” worng place wrong time?? wel @ least he got his girl she puton the ring and said that she loved him too bad it took all that to happen but ?
“The Strangers” is maddeningly un-scary and also unforgivably stupid. It certainly proves that its director, first-timer Bryan Bertino, can direct a movie; but can’t tell a gripping story. There are many directors like this; and I applaud him for at least trying to work with his “original” material. This could have made for a pretty tense movie, and the young movie-maker himself had a decent idea going for him. But then again, that is strictly speaking in terms of the concept.
The concept involves a couple (Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman) who return home from a wedding reception in a melancholy state. We learn that the male partner proposed to the female with a ring; and she didn’t know how to react in such a state. So they returned home, and refused to speak. Oh, but they’ll have to in some time!
The madness of the night begins innocently enough; a young girl knocks on their door and asks for a certain name; the name of a person who apparently is not one of the two people we are following throughout the film. Soon, the female partner begins to see strange, masked stalkers outside the window. There are three of them; and why they insist on terrorizing and eventually brutally attacking the couple is beyond me, beyond them, and beyond anyone.
When people, in movies, are subjected to violent and supposedly “scary” forms of sadistic torture; we are supposed to care. But why is it that, no matter how mad the filmmaker is in their quest to depict human suffering, we never quite do? The characters in “The Strangers” are as thin as paper. We meet them; we greet them, and nothing more; there’s not enough development. Whether their characters are shallow, as people, is beyond me; but seriously, they need more back-ground. But at least their personalities weren’t as annoying as the things they said.
The problem here is that the director wrote his script, and made it big when he pitched it to a studio, and for some reason, they liked it in its entirety. Perhaps they didn’t see what I, and many other observant film-goers, have seen; bad characters, bad plotting, and an ending that will piss off just about anyone. Seriously, was I supposed to be scared throughout this snooze-fest? If there was one thing that kept me awake, it was my own laughter. In a film where people make consistently dumb decisions, and say equally as stupid things, it’s difficult to have a different reaction whatsoever.
There’s a French film like this one called “Them”. And there’s also another horror-thriller that most of us know called “Funny Games”. That film also shares a similar premise to this one. In fact, too many films do. Whether “The Strangers” is borrowing or taking…well, it’s beyond me. Who gives a damn? The thing sucks, and that is final. Perhaps the filmmaker will go on and make something better; he has some decent potential. And maybe this screenplay should get a remake with a different director, and a different writer to re-write the not-so-fantastic aspects of its script. The film is a flawed, one-trick-pony, and most fans of the genre will dislike it with a passion, as I sort of do. I’m giving it some credit because it deserves some; the direction isn’t “bad”, and come to think of it, I wouldn’t say the acting is either. But nothing can make up for the amount of good material that was lost in the fire of bad writing. This movie left me drained, and pissed. It had no atmosphere, there was nothing new to experience, and I’d recommend that you skip the experience all-together.
One Of My Favorite Horror Movie’s Ever The Sequel Would Be Amazing !!!
Great movie, if the BD reviewer does not like it, I usually love it
I loved “The Strangers” for so many reasons. Frist there is no smoke and mirrors in this movie, it is just plain disturbing gore. Its the fact that these people were just there to kill, and it is something THAT COULD HAPPEN to anyone at anytime. The thought of someone just messing with you before killing you makes me truly freaked out. THIS IS A GREAT MOVIE, and I hope they stay true to the story. Its just killing to kill.
Very scary movie.
Pretty good flick. Nice suspense throughout. It’s a slow movie though, so if you’re one of those ADD movie fans who need action constantly, don’t watch this. However, if you want a good, suspenseful thriller with some blood, this is for you. Bring on part 2!
I thought it was allright pretty scary.
An excellent and intense film!
Amazing horror film! I loved it! It is truly terrifying. It is one of the scariest horror films I have seen in the last 10 years. Great actors, great chilling story, and an amazing new screenwritter/director. It may not be as gory as Saw but it is pretty bloody and brutal by the end, it is a very scary disturbing well made movie that will make many people loose sleep. I can’t wait for the sequal! The scariest thing about this movie is that it could happen to you.
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The Ultimate Movie Review! – http://tss5078.blogspot.com – @tss5078 – The strangers is a creepy story, based on actual events. This isn’t your typical horror movie. It moves a lot slower and lacks the cursing and gore, but what it is, is mythotical and truly scary. I have so many questions I’d like to ask, but can’t do it without spoilers. This movie will make you jump, make you scream, and make you think, and that’s what makes it special and worth seeing.