The Strangers (DVD)

First of all, I would like to mention that the horror genre has been quite stagnant for some time. Of course, some of that blame falls on the shoulders of movie makers who have not found new water to tread. Most of the blame falls on our overexposure to everything. We’re exposed to so many explicit and graphic things because of the internet and the material that cable TV can now get away with. Quite frankly, we’re a generation that is very hard to shock.

It seems that most horror movies these days fall into 2 categories. There are many films that seem to follow the rule that the more graphic and gory, the better. Then there are the Asian horror remakes that have been flooding the theaters in recent years. The Strangers is neither. It’s a simple slasher film that feels like a throwback to the late 70’s and 80’s films. I know so many people that thought it sucked. I thought it was pretty good watch.

While most scary movies try to throw twists and turns with hopes that the “mystery” can add to the feel of the film, The Strangers is as simple as it gets. There are 2 lovers on a getaway in a remote part of town. 3 masked strangers terrorize them over the course of one night. That’s the entire plot. But it’s in that simplicity that the film excels. You always know what is going on but you just don’t know why. The fact that the strangers have no apparent motive for doing what they’re doing creates most of the tension.

The director does a pretty decent job pacing the film. It’s not too slow where you got so bored and it doesn’t move to fast so there’s no room for suspense. The greatest asset that it has going for it is the atmosphere. The usage of music, silence, lighting, and the actors’ facial expressions create a thick atmosphere that can make your skin crawl. It’s subtle, but quite effective. There always seems to be a sense of dread as each minute passes.

The actors do a great job of showing fear, confusion and panic. I like that the script allowed the characters to be smart for the most part. Let’s face it, characters in horror flicks are usually dumber than rocks. For about 85% of the time, they act logically and don’t resort to any of the cliches that get most characters killed. Scott Speedman and Liv Tyler did well considering that the plot does not allow for much development of character analysis.

Now I can understand why many viewers wouldn’t enjoy this movie as much as I did. It’s got many flaws, but none so glaring that I really have to mention. I don’t recommend watching this with a group of people. It is not that type of horror flick. The Strangers requires your complete attention for it to be worth it. You won’t have nightmares and it won’t make you feel afraid to be home alone after watching it. It could just be me, but there was something really creepy about it…

Synopsis:

After returning from a wedding reception, a couple staying in an isolated vacation house receive a knock on the door in the mid-hours of the night. What ensues is a violent invasion by three strangers, their faces hidden behind masks. The couple find themselves in a violent struggle, in which they go beyond what either of them thought capable in order to survive. Written by Anonymous