The Strangers
Second Sight Pictures
Certificate 15
Of all the more recent horror franchises one seemed to stall after just two entries. The Strangers started off strong in 2008, had a rather tame sequel The Strangers: Prey By Night in 2018 and then a prequel earlier this year which gained several negative reviews. Anyway, let’s spool back to 2008 and the original, which has been given a wonderful 4K transfer thanks to those lovely people at Second Sight Films.
After a proposal goes wrong at a friend’s wedding, what should have been a romantic break for Kristen (Liv Tyler) and James (Scott Speedman), is suddenly interrupted by a 4 am knock on the door and turns into a terrifying home invasion. Three masked strangers: Man in the Mask (Kip Weeks), Dollface (Gemma Ward), and Pin-up Girl (Laura Margolis) are a torturous twisted trio who have brutality in mind and the couple at their mercy, but who are they and what is their motive? The terrified couple must do everything they can to survive a night of psychological torment and bloodthirsty violence… who will make it out alive?
Tense, well-acted and well executed, The Strangers is a masterclass in tension building. The plot is straightforward, an innocent terrorised by masked assailants. Why? Well, the stomach-churning reason is “Because they were home”. The leads deliver considered performances of a situation which starts off as heartbreaking into something far, far darker. The set up is chilling to begin with but the element of rejection makes the violence even more disturbing.
Its claustrophobic and chilling in equal measure, these two innocents who are already dealing with something quite substantial have to contend with saving each other, forgetting about the love that’s lost between them and just being human.
The transfer is solid and handles the darker moments with clarity, you can make out tiny details in the shadows and when faces are watching from the darker corners. The surround sound mix puts you right in the middle of the situation, keeping dialogue clear throughout.
The disc is packed with extras such as the Theatrical Cut and Extended Cut, Because You Were Home: a new interview with Director Bryan Bertino, Cutting Moments: a new interview with Editor Kevin Greutert, The Fighter: a new interview with Actor Liv Tyler, The Pin-Up Girl: a new interview with Actor Laura Margolis, The Element of Terror: interviews with cast and crew, Strangers at the Door: interviews with Director Bryan Bertino and cast as well as Deleted Scenes.
The Strangers is an effective and chilling movie, such a shame the emtries failed to live up to this.
