This is straight-up nightmare fuel, unredeemed by compelling characters or interesting motives.
Comment
06/27/08
The Strangers (2008)
41 %
Reviews Counted: 113 Fresh: 46 Rotten:67 Average Rating: 4.8/10
Consensus:
The Strangers provides a few scares, but offers little else to distinguish itself from other slasher films.
Rated: R [See Full Rating]
Runtime: 90 mins
Theatrical Release: May 30, 2008 Wide
Box Office: $51,519,705
Synopsis: For his film debut, director Brian Bertino has crafted a fantastically creepy horror flick based on the very simple premise of strangers who come knocking late at night. Kristen (Liv Tyler) and James (Scott Speedman) have arrived at a secluded vacation home in the woods after attending a... [More]
Genre: Horror/Suspense
Starring: Liv Tyler, Scott Speedman, Gemma Ward, Kip Weeks, Laura Margolis
Director: Bryan Bertino
Screenwriter: Bryan Bertino
Producer: Doug Davison, Roy Lee, Nathan Kahane
Composer: Tomandandy
Screenwriter: Bryan Bertino
Producer: Doug Davison, Roy Lee, Nathan Kahane
Composer: Tomandandy
Reviews
The Strangers bears more than a passing resemblance to Them, the French horror film about a couple in a secluded house who are stalked by mysterious, almost supernatural tormenters.
06/17/08
Offers no more enlightenment or catharsis than a drugged insect could expect in the moment before it is skewered by a lepidopterist's pin.
06/17/08
... The work of a born filmmaker who shows a remarkable command of tone and pace. It is a new classic in its genre ...
06/12/08
How bad is a stalker/killer flick when it's just as lame whether the victims live or die? All suspense and no payoff doesn't look clever, just lazy.
06/12/08
The Strangers gets your hopes up with some smart filmmaking but then pretty much dashes them by the final predictable fade out.
06/08/08
This movie is far from great, but it did scare the heck out of me quite a few times. I have to give it props for that.
06/06/08
It wrings ever drop of terror it can out of making us identify with doomed people, and suffering as they suffer. That might be nihilistic, but it's also empathetic.
06/05/08
It's creepy and at times frightening, but it fails in the most important aspect of the genre - it's not at all entertaining.
06/05/08
If you've seen the annoying trailer for Bryan Bertino's singularly pointless debut feature, you've seen all the film has to offer -- minus 88 minutes of tedious sadism.
06/03/08
A fine throwback, and one filled with moments of real suspense. In spite of its rushed, awkward ending, I'd take this any day over the Saw movies, and all that came in their wake.
06/03/08
I don't remember hearing young women scream like this in a theater since I saw "Double Jeopardy" some years back in a packed auditorium.
06/03/08
Top Critic
Unrestrained unexplained violence just for the thrill of it makes for a lousy movie.
06/02/08
I've got to credit Bertino with the sense enough to not resort to shocking gore to make up for lack of suspense. The final act, however, is as messy as a plate of spaghetti.
06/02/08
when a horror film manages to get its creepy hooks into your skin, it at least deserves some faint praise for psychological effectiveness.
06/02/08
Don't let the attractive cast, the slick look or the 'inspired by true events' nonsense mislead you. The Strangers is a despicable and mean-spirited practical joke.
06/02/08
Top Critic
The movie is derivative as hell, but Bertino shows a good deal of craft -- if not as a writer, then as a director.
06/01/08
Related Forums
(2008/Rated R)-THE STRANGERS hacks its way into the top 3 against stiff competition!
by: THE spammer - NO mercy! 6/29
by: THE spammer - NO mercy! 6/29
(2008/Rated R)-THE STRANGERS hacks its way into the top 3 against stiff competition!
by: THE spammer - NO mercy! 6/29
by: THE spammer - NO mercy! 6/29
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