SPOOKTOBER chapter 20:
A House Invasion Horror (Re-watch)
I'd say "The Strangers" is one of the 'classics' of the 2000's horror era, a neat house invasion thriller flick, written and directed by horror maker and lover Bryan Bertino ("The Dark and the Wicked", "The Monster"). Even after what's probably the 4th re-watch over the years, this remains a grimly effective suspense horror, served with such cold simplicity that it can go either way for you, tight and engaging, or empty and boring.
Presented as being based on true events, and emphasizing the amount of acts of violence in the statistics, "The Strangers" begins with a couple returning to their remote nice suburban home in the middle of the night from a friend's wedding, but the mood is low, as something bad has happened between the two. Unfortunately for them, something much worse is lurking around, and will begin a deadly cat & mouse game with the two lovers. Three mysterious figures stalk them through the night and mean harm, serious harm, but they mean to play the game even more, for the villains seem to take plenty of pleasure in being the hunters.
"The Strangers" is basically a random act of violence, appropriately grim and scary. Bryan Bertino keeps the atmosphere on level, the suspense reasonably stable, and leaves us with a rather depressing ending, except for a single note, which might've as well been a demand by a producer or two. It's technically, aesthetically well made, and also features good performances shared by its small cast, with the highlight certainly being Liv Tyler, who should try out her hand in more horror flicks!
It received a sequel years later, which was a notch below in comparison, but it doesn't end there, for an entire new trilogy, reportedly more story driven than the existing material, is in the works, as announced earlier this year. Why not, let's see. My rating: 7/10.
I'd say "The Strangers" is one of the 'classics' of the 2000's horror era, a neat house invasion thriller flick, written and directed by horror maker and lover Bryan Bertino ("The Dark and the Wicked", "The Monster"). Even after what's probably the 4th re-watch over the years, this remains a grimly effective suspense horror, served with such cold simplicity that it can go either way for you, tight and engaging, or empty and boring.
Presented as being based on true events, and emphasizing the amount of acts of violence in the statistics, "The Strangers" begins with a couple returning to their remote nice suburban home in the middle of the night from a friend's wedding, but the mood is low, as something bad has happened between the two. Unfortunately for them, something much worse is lurking around, and will begin a deadly cat & mouse game with the two lovers. Three mysterious figures stalk them through the night and mean harm, serious harm, but they mean to play the game even more, for the villains seem to take plenty of pleasure in being the hunters.
"The Strangers" is basically a random act of violence, appropriately grim and scary. Bryan Bertino keeps the atmosphere on level, the suspense reasonably stable, and leaves us with a rather depressing ending, except for a single note, which might've as well been a demand by a producer or two. It's technically, aesthetically well made, and also features good performances shared by its small cast, with the highlight certainly being Liv Tyler, who should try out her hand in more horror flicks!
It received a sequel years later, which was a notch below in comparison, but it doesn't end there, for an entire new trilogy, reportedly more story driven than the existing material, is in the works, as announced earlier this year. Why not, let's see. My rating: 7/10.