Director: Bryan Bertino
Writer: Bryan Bertino (Screenplay)
Starring: Scott Speedman, Liv Tyler, Gemma Ward, Kip Weeks, Laura Margolis
Plot: A young couple staying in an isolated vacation home are terrorized by three unknown assailants.
Tagline – Because you were home.
Runtime: 1 Hour 26 Minutes
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Suspense Filled Horror
Story: The Strangers starts when struggling couple James (Speedman) and Kristen (Tyler) head off for a romantic weekend away things don’t go as planned as the two don’t let things go as they want to leave. When Kristen gets a return guest she believes she isn’t alone and soon they learn how many guests they have.
The strangers Dollface (Ward) Pin-Up Girl (Margolis) and the leader a man with a mask (Weeks) refuse to let the leave, terrorising them in their own holiday location. This becomes a battle to survive against a calculated enemy.
Thoughts on The Strangers
Characters – Kristen is our leading lady in this, she goes on the trip to look to save her relationship but you feel she is too far gone after whatever pulled them apart. She must stay one step ahead of the strangers too. James is the partner of Kristen, he is willing to give her the space she wants to help save their relationship too, he offers himself to save her too. The strangers characters spend most of the film stalking their victims, they seem to be playing it safe letting them make the mistakes but also teasing exits too.
Performances – Liv Tyler is the highlight of the film with a strong performance of terror with Scott Speedman being good, the three strangers performers are good throughout looking menacing through the film.
Story – The story is very simple, a couple get terrorised in their own home by strangers, we don’t learn their motives, we only seem to follow the basics of building up but it works on many levels to keep us on edge through the film. if you want a full effects of everything you will be left disappointed but it was good for not giving us something you would expect.
Horror/Mystery – The horror is based on the idea of being invaded by an unknown group of people that seemingly just want chaos. The mystery never gets solved which is important for us to see too.
Settings – The film is set in one home in the middle of nowhere which is easily the highlight of the film, it shows us not being able to find a way to escape.
Special Effects – The effects are used when needed which are good to show where things could go.
Scene of the Movie – The aftermath.
That Moment That Annoyed Me – We don’t see enough of what Strangers do.
Final Thoughts – This is a horror that is filled with suspense which is great, but if you want to see the horror things will not being what you are expecting.
Overall: Horror for all the fans.
Rating
