The Strangers

[CharlieBrummel]

http://i13.tinypic.com/53feq8w.jpg


A terrifying suspense thriller about a couple (Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman) in a remote suburban house who are targeted by three dangerous masked strangers. The resulting clashes force the couple to go well beyond what they thought themselves capable of in order to survive.


http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/films.php?id=630

[hack slash]

TEASER
looks interesting

http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/topnews.php?id=1128

[101ant101]

TEASER
looks interesting

http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/topnews.php?id=1128

yep your spot on there i like the 1st poster it has a 80's feel to it

[WesReviews]

New trailer for a home invasion horror flick, THE STRANGERS, appeared today at Yahoo and WOW... :o

http://movies.yahoo.com/premieres/6921259/standardformat/

What a great trailer. How come we're just now hearing about this movie? They added me to MySpace a long time ago, but I declined them because I thought it was just another Indie horror filmmaker trying to spam me.

I'll definitely be there on May 30th. This trailer has sold me.

And here's a look at the theatrical poster...

http://a905.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/106/l_ef40b3cd5d2feb9e10425b9924f27290.jpg

[Sean [The Wildcard]]

I have been interested in this for a while, also because the title grabbed my eye...simply because many years ago I wrote a script called THE STRANGER.

But yeah, anyway...the film looks like it will be pretty good and fun. I love the poster art too. Does it remind anyone else of an old 80's Horror Poster?

"Why are you doing this to us?"
"Because you were home."
:D

[Cody]

Hopefully the release date will stick this time. I've been waiting for this movie for a couple years it seems.

[WesReviews]

But yeah, anyway...the film looks like it will be pretty good and fun. I love the poster art too. Does it remind anyone else of an old 80's Horror Poster?
When I first saw the poster, I thought it was the art for an 80s Paramount movie on VHS. Just had that look to it...white border with the plain title under a rectangle picture. I think it's pretty cool, not to mention creepy.

[Sean [The Wildcard]]

When I first saw the poster, I thought it was the art for an 80s Paramount movie on VHS. Just had that look to it...white border with the plain title under a rectangle picture. I think it's pretty cool, not to mention creepy.

Exactly. :D

Ah, I miss the old Horror VHS cover art days. :p

[El Rooto]

It looks good enough to me.

I'll see it.

[Apocalypto]

Saw the trailer on the big screen with Doomsday tonight, it looks to be very suspenseful.

I love "why are you doing this to us?"..."Because you were home."
Creepy as hell.

[WesReviews]

I've heard people say this looks extremely similar to the French horror flick Them (aka: Ils). I've pre-ordered Them on DVD and hope to see it in my mailbox this coming Tuesday.

[killingvector]

Looks interesting, but will ultimately depend on the execution. Good looking masks though.

[Cody]

I've heard people say this looks extremely similar to the French horror flick Them (aka: Ils). I've pre-ordered Them on DVD and hope to see it in my mailbox this coming Tuesday.

I got to see Them at a horror marathon last year and liked it a lot. The Strangers has the same basic idea (young couple + home invasion), but I think how it's done will be different enough.

[101ant101]

I've heard people say this looks extremely similar to the French horror flick Them (aka: Ils). I've pre-ordered Them on DVD and hope to see it in my mailbox this coming Tuesday.

that’s because its a remake of "Them" also it has took some lines such as "why are you doing this to us?" but then the children replied "because we just want to play, wont you play with us" the French know how to make "horror" films.

but still since this is a remake I will be seeing this.

[Cody]

that’s because its a remake of "Them"

Not officially.

Actually, The Strangers was filmed so long ago (2006) that it was already in production at the time when Them was first released.

[WesReviews]

Having finally seen Them, and based on what I've seen in the trailer for The Strangers, I think both films will ultimately be very different. They may be in the same sub-genre (home invasion) and share similar formulaic elements, but couldn't the same be said of Friday the 13th and Halloween?

So I say, who cares if they are similar, as long as they are both enjoyable? Who cares who came first and who ripped off who, if both are worthwhile?

I thoroughly enjoyed Them and I expect to thoroughly enjoy The Strangers as well. I just don't know why people are always in such a rush to label movies "rip-offs". Without rip-offs, we wouldn't have many of the classics we enjoy today. :)

And based on what I saw in Them, I don't think The Strangers is anything near being a remake.

[mcilroga]

I think it looks BRILLIANT personally.

[i am SAW]

New Poster,

http://www.impawards.com/2008/strangers_ver4.html

:shock:

[The Dream Master]

Eh, that one's okay. I prefer the other one that Wes posted in the first post here.

[NiteMare Shape]

looks like a pretty good movie, though from what I saw I think the trailer spoiled a bit too much for, I think I already know how it ends. But I'll still check it out

[The 5th Golden Girl]

Okay, I saw a commercial for this last night on television and it creeped me out big time. I don't usually see movies in the theatre, but I may just have to see this one. It looks so simple yet creepy... just the way I like it.

[Jigsaw]

This movie looks really good from the previews, I'll give it a look in the theaters.

[Sean [The Wildcard]]

Yep...still looking forward to this!

:D

[Geddy Peart]

Just saw the trailer and this does look awesome. I was reading the review from someone who attended a test screening and they said is scared everyone in the theater.

I'm so there May 30th.

[The Dream Master]

My local theater has yet another poster for this one in their lobby. It features the shot from the trailer where Liv Tyler is in the foreground, and one of the killers is in the background. Pretty creepy.

[MiMania]

this comes out on my birthday. I may go see this opening night.

[Sean [The Wildcard]]

Just got the word that I am seeing this Opening Night with a bunch of my buddies, who are also really looking forward to seeing this.

Should be a good time. :)

[Saturday the 14th]

this film definitely looks intriguing... it has a "creepy" factor that i haven't seen in a long time... reviews from people who saw advanced screenings for it all seem to be positive... if it is, indeed, a great film, i hope it does well so that the trend of awful horror movies will possibly end

[Cody]

Check your local listings and you might be able to catch a midnight screening of this tonight. A Cinemark is my area is having one.

[WesReviews]

Very positive review from Dread Central.

http://www.dreadcentral.com/reviews/strangers-the-2008

Can't wait to see this. :D

[i am SAW]

i thought it was a good movie, but not as great as i was expecting it to be. there's some tense moments but it wasn't as scary as it could have been. they could have done more with it. when it was over i felt like, "that's it?" the masks the 2 girls had were the scariest thing about the movie. my favorite lines in the movie... is Tamara there? are you sure? i wish the villains would have all 3 been girls, it would have been creepier that way. while it's not an exact remake of Them, it's pretty close. the kids in Them were alot younger than the kids in this. both movies are based on the same "true events". The Strangers is the far better movie though.

[The Dream Master]

Very good movie that should have ended two minutes sooner than it did. It should have ended with the killers driving away because the last jump scare didn't really fit in with the creepiness of the film. Great for a modern horror movie, and a nice change from the in your face gorefests of recent years.

[God of Thunder]

a nice change from the in your face gorefests of recent years.

I haven't seen too many of those show up lately, at least not in theaters.

[The Dream Master]

I haven't seen too many of those show up lately, at least not in theaters.

Really? Hostel? Saw? Maybe not extremely gory by some people's standards, but definitely more gory than this was. I don't mind gore, by the way, but it's nice to see a film try to just be creepy and subtle.

[nottidelterrore]

I kind of want to see this. I may give a watch when it's out on DVD.

[Deathscythe]

Same here, I think I'll give this one a chance on DVD.

[WesReviews]

Wow, this one really impressed me.

Them isn't even in the same league, and I thought Them was a damn fine film.

Such a well-told, creepy story. I absolutely loved it.

Best horror film of the last 20 years, for sure. GO SEE IT!
ADDED:
Same here, I think I'll give this one a chance on DVD.

I strongly recommend seeing this in theaters. It's just not the same watching it at home, as it is when you have a hundred or so other theater patrons around you who are just as jumpy as you are! You could feel the tension in this one... nobody in the audience said a word. Which, if you've been to movies in the last few years, is pretty rare.

[The Dream Master]

Wes, I wish I were as lucky as you. I had to move during the film because a group of jackasses behind me were basically carrying on a conversation throughout the whole thing. :misery:

But yeah, if you want to see this, go see it in theaters. It plays out very well on the big screen, especially the scenes where the killers sneak their way into the frame--I loved that, even if the trailers did give it away.

[Apocalypto]

Great movie, one of the most chilling films I've ever seen with a great look at the banality of evil. I agree about the final shot, but it's just a minor inconvenience.

[The Dream Master]

Yeah, the jump scare isn't a deal breaker at all, but it's kind of trite at this point. I just think a more low-key, understated ending was more appropriate for this film. It was still great overall though. I might give it another look later this week.

[jah jah jason]

I just saw this film tonight. It was a brilliant, scary , creepy horror film.
Finally a terror film that really terrorizes. If it werent for the immature teens in the audience, it would have been completely amazing. Liv Tyler was brilliant.

[Gringo Loco]

This movie was crap. The whole time I was watching this I was thinking, "Yep, I've seen all this before..." I mean the whole disappearing/reappearing killer thing? Been there, watched that. Or how about when the brother or w/e he was to the main guy lead gets out of his car, AFTER someone breaks his windshield?? And then he proceeds to walk inside the house, completely forgetting that someone just smashed his shit all up. This sets up his death. Who didn't see that coming a mile away? Man I have a ton of complaints about this movie but I'm not going to bore you all with my thoughts about this craptacular movie. If you were thinking of seeing this, don't. Wait for the DVD or wait for it to come on cable. I sure as hell didn't pay to see this.

[Sean [The Wildcard]]

GREAT flick.

It was nice to see a Creepy Horror Movie again, not like the latest crap that Hollywood has shoved down our throats

Great Atmosphere, scares, characters, etc. Pacing was great, it was nice to see a SCARY movie.



But I guarantee you there will be people who hate it because it didn't have enough blood in it...because lately people have become so retarded and desensitized to all of this Gore and Torture Porn crap, or even Teeny-Horror that has been coming out.



SO yeah...go and see it.

[HalloweenHorror]

Just got back from seeing this and I enjoyed it. I had a complaint and a ? though
Complaint:The jump scare at the end was completely not needed. Also, I think the movie went down hill after the death of the friend.

?:Did she know the killers? Whenever the first girl removed her mask, I could have sworn I heard Liv Tyler say "Amy?!" My friends kept telling me no.

Overall, I really enjoyed the Creepiness of the film. While not a giant leap ahead for a horror film, it did give good scares. Little bit predictable.

[WesReviews]

This movie was crap. The whole time I was watching this I was thinking, "Yep, I've seen all this before..." I mean the whole disappearing/reappearing killer thing? Been there, watched that. Or how about when the brother or w/e he was to the main guy lead gets out of his car, AFTER someone breaks his windshield?? And then he proceeds to walk inside the house, completely forgetting that someone just smashed his shit all up. This sets up his death. Who didn't see that coming a mile away? Man I have a ton of complaints about this movie but I'm not going to bore you all with my thoughts about this craptacular movie. If you were thinking of seeing this, don't. Wait for the DVD or wait for it to come on cable. I sure as hell didn't pay to see this.
Why even bother watching any horror films if you feel this way? The things you said apply to about 98% of them out there, including all of the Friday the 13th films.
ADDED:
But I guarantee you there will be people who hate it because it didn't have enough blood in it...because lately people have become so retarded and desensitized to all of this Gore and Torture Porn crap, or even Teeny-Horror that has been coming out.
It actually had more blood in it than I thought it would. I was very pleasantly surprised with the blood and of course the partially blown off head of James' friend. Some very good makeup work there.

[The Dream Master]

Even though The Strangers does tread familiar ground, I don't think there's been a film in a while that's attempted it in a way that this film does. It's lean, efficient, and doesn't bog you down with anything unnecessary. It hits you over the head, then leaves you wondering what exactly hit you. Just like a good horror film should.

[Gringo Loco]

I'm sorry but I like horror movies that have brains. Is that too much to ask? I don't want to watch dumbed down movies. And I apologize if I sound like a movie snob. The Mist, while not your average horror film, was better than this. It goes to show you that not everything has to be about jump scares and teleportation. ala Jason Takes Vancouver. And on topic of the Friday films, I know some of them use horror cliches. The fact is these movies came out years ago and I grew up with them. I've accepted them into my life already. I can live with that. I just don't want to see a movie do the same things that the last movie I saw did and the movie before that. It gets old and boring.

[jah jah jason]

This movie was crap. The whole time I was watching this I was thinking, "Yep, I've seen all this before..." I mean the whole disappearing/reappearing killer thing? Been there, watched that. Or how about when the brother or w/e he was to the main guy lead gets out of his car, AFTER someone breaks his windshield?? And then he proceeds to walk inside the house, completely forgetting that someone just smashed his shit all up. This sets up his death. Who didn't see that coming a mile away? Man I have a ton of complaints about this movie but I'm not going to bore you all with my thoughts about this craptacular movie. If you were thinking of seeing this, don't. Wait for the DVD or wait for it to come on cable. I sure as hell didn't pay to see this.


I agree, it was predictable. Especially the part you brought up. I thought it was brilliant because I was actually scared. I found myself squinting most of the time. I thought Liv Tylers acting was amazing ( you don't get that in horror movies too much). I had issues with the movie, as I do with most movies. I am also a movie snob, but with horror. I just want to be scared. I would wait for dvd only for the fact that people in the theater ruin the suspense with talking. I did really enjoy it though.

[Violent VictiM]

I really liked this movie. I waited since the previews to see it and it didn't disappoint me. That mask is instantly iconic in my mind and if they manufacture it I am definitely going to get myself one.

[WesReviews]

And now, after a few hours of thought, here is my official review of The Strangers (2008) (http://www.oh-the-horror.com/page.php?id=254).

[Sean [The Wildcard]]

And now, after a few hours of thought, here is my official review of The Strangers (2008) (http://www.oh-the-horror.com/page.php?id=254).

Wow Wes, GREAT REVIEW! And I agree with you 100%.

:)

[i am SAW]

Very good movie that should have ended two minutes sooner than it did.
agreed. the opening scene let's us know that BOTH of them end up dying. we know this because the narrator at the beginning says "the actual events that occured in the house aren't known". if she had lived, she would have told them exactly what happened. plus it's based on the same story "Them" is based on, and the couple died in that. so why they showed her take her last breath/scream at the end, i don't know.

Best horror film of the last 20 years, for sure. GO SEE IT!.
really? i can think of about 8-10 movies i liked better from just the past year alone. as far as it being scary, i can see how most people would think it was scary. maybe it's because i just watched "Them" a few weeks ago, so i knew the story, and the opening scene of The Strangers tells you how it ends, so nothing that happened was surprising or a shock to me. don't get me wrong, i thought it was great and would give it a 9/10, but it just didn't blow me away. there's been plenty of recent movies i thought were scarier than this, "Vacancy" is one that comes to mind. then of course there's "Inside", the scariest movie i've ever seen. only 3-4 people on this board have seen "Inside" and you Wes happen to be one of them. i'm surprised you liked The Strangers better, but to each his own.
But I guarantee you there will be people who hate it because it didn't have enough blood in it...because lately people have become so retarded and desensitized to all of this Gore and Torture Porn crap, or even Teeny-Horror that has been coming out
anyone who likes horror movies with lots of gore is retarded? that's like saying people who like comedies with lots of funny scenes are retarded. i mean why can't they make a good comedy for once, one that doesn't have to make me laugh so much? :shifty: anybody who doesn't like this movie, i doubt the reason has to do with a lack of gore. even if someone doesn't like a movie because it doesn't have enough gore, that's no worse than you not liking a movie because it has too much gore.

[WesReviews]

I enjoyed Vacancy and Inside, but neither had the chilling impact that The Strangers had. Maybe I just have a bias toward masked slashers, I'm not sure, but The Strangers really did it for me.
ADDED:
Friday box-office estimates are in...

1. SEX & THE CITY - $26,100,000
2. INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL - $12,250,000
3. THE STRANGERS - $7,535,000
4. IRON MAN - $3,725,000
5. THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: PRINCE CASPIAN - $3,350,000
6. WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS - $2,200,000
7. BABY MAMA - $715,000
8. MADE OF HONOR - $635,000
9. SPEED RACER - $500,000
10. FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL - $310,000

Looks like The Strangers is on track for around 20 million or more. Not bad at all for a horror film of its budget, by a first-time director. I think this one will have pretty decent word of mouth, like Scream back in '96. I don't think it'll make as much as Scream did overall, because it's a completely different kind of horror film (not 100% mainstream-friendly) but I wouldn't be surprised at all to see it jump to the number 2 spot next weekend or hold steady at 3.

[The Dream Master]

This actually reminded me a bit of Vacancy for some reason, but I prefer this by quite a bit. And Helloweeny, yep, that's one reason why the last scene isn't needed. However, it does create the possibility that she lived but chose to never talk about it (which is why no one knows exactly what happened)...who knows? That's why you end it two minutes earlier.

Also, I found out that this was filmed about two hours from where I live, which is neat.

And Wes's review for The Strangers is great, but stay tuned for another one from him soon that rules quite a bit as well. All I can say is that the man in my avatar would be pleased.

[WesReviews]

Vacancy started out great, but by the end, it was pretty much a conventional Hollywood thriller. It played a few things too safe and it was riddled with contrivances. If there is one thing that The Strangers isn't, it's safe. Though, I did somewhat suspect James shooting his friend mistakenly, having seen Inside fairly recently.

But overall, The Strangers is dangerous and scary. I can't imagine why a horror fan wouldn't dig this one.

And I love The Mist just as much as anyone (it was my favorite movie of last year) but the awful CGI holds it back from true greatness, in my opinion. If Darabont had just had a few million more to work with. Whereas, The Strangers had no bad CGI (or any that I even recall). I really liked how grainy and home-movie-ish the shots of the exterior of the house and neighborhood were at the end. It gave the film a 70s/80s feel.

[Utellme]

I seen it at the movies and it was stupid IMO.


This was posted by lil Utell he went and seen it last night and say hes was not scared or impressed.

[Cody]

I saw it with my nephew, he said it was good but he was nitpicking like crazy.

Richard Roeper would call me "a sick man" (as he did this week's co-host for giving The Strangers a positive review), because I thought the movie was great.

7U6nxw4AYOo

Them... both movies are based on the same "true events".

Are these "true events" not just the existance of home invasions in general?

It's a simple, creepy set-up. I have home invasion nightmares, and I've been especially scared and disturbed by the idea since reading a detailed account of the Sharon Tate case.

Speaking of which, there were things in The Strangers that reminded me of the Tate invasion.

[Ron]

I saw this today and was actually pleasnatly surprised. I liked the tone of the film and the fact that there wasn't any cheese ball humor tossed in. I also thought it was a breath of fresh air having the film have little gore and more suspense.

[The Dream Master]

Are these "true events" not just the existance of home invasions in general?

It's a simple, creepy set-up. I have home invasion nightmares, and I've been especially scared and disturbed by the idea since reading a detailed account of the Sharon Tate case.

Speaking of which, there were things in The Strangers that reminded me of the Tate invasion.

The director says it's based upon an event that happened to him as a kid. Someone came and knocked on his door to ask if someone was home. The next day, it was discovered that bunch of the nearby houses were robbed.

And I think the Tate invasion might have been an inspiration too.

The bottom line is that the "inspired by true events" is a loose term for sure because the exact events depicted here didn't really happen.

[Deathscythe]

Richard Roeper would call me "a sick man" (as he did this week's co-host for giving The Strangers a positive review), because I thought the movie was great.


Heh, I always liked Gene Siskel better anyway.

[Sean [The Wildcard]]

It's also been noted that 'The Keddie Murders' are what inspired the film.

http://www.cabin28.com/

[Cody]

?:Did she know the killers? Whenever the first girl removed her mask, I could have sworn I heard Liv Tyler say "Amy?!" My friends kept telling me no.

It did sound like that, but I think that she was talking to James, referring to him as "Baby" again.

[Deathscythe]

I strongly recommend seeing this in theaters. It's just not the same watching it at home, as it is when you have a hundred or so other theater patrons around you who are just as jumpy as you are! You could feel the tension in this one... nobody in the audience said a word. Which, if you've been to movies in the last few years, is pretty rare.

Alright I might consider watchin it in the theaters, but I have a lot of shit to do and I probably won't see it until next week when the crowd dies down. Hell, I haven't even see Indy 4 yet.

But than again, why am I wasting so much time on the internet?:mad:

[Geddy Peart]

Damn it now I'm really excited to see this film after reading everyone's thoughts.

I was gonnna see it tonight but instead I stayed home to write a paper.

Monday wonb't come soon enough.

[Apocalypto]

Richard Roeper would call me "a sick man" (as he did this week's co-host for giving The Strangers a positive review).

Another to add to the on-going plethora examples of that mans idiocy.

[Violent VictiM]

Here's how I like to think of the last two minutes:

She obviously didn't live. The narrarator makes it pretty clear in the beginning. However, as a final jump scare it fits in perfect. She more than likely bled out and died soon after that. The kid's hadn't even placed the phone call yet so it's possible she just faded shortly after.

[Apocalypto]

Slightly over $20 mill for the weekend, #3 ahead of Iron Man and Narnia.

[i am SAW]

Are these "true events" not just the existance of home invasions in general?
have you seen "Them"? either they're both based on the same event, or The Strangers is a rip-off of "Them". in The Strangers there's the "because you were home" line, and in "Them" since the kids are younger they say "we just wanted to play with you"

[Cody]

have you seen "Them"? either they're both based on the same event, or The Strangers is a rip-off of "Them". in The Strangers there's the "because you were home" line, and in "Them" since the kids are younger they say "we just wanted to play with you"

I don't think those are all that similar. You could throw a motivation I wrote in '98, "We were bored", into the mix and it'd be just as close.

After searching I see that Rogue Pictures bought The Strangers script in 2004, Them hit festivals in April '06.

[i am SAW]

one might not be a rip-off of the other, but they're both movies about the same thing, both similar, and both based on the same "true events".

[WesReviews]

have you seen "Them"? either they're both based on the same event, or The Strangers is a rip-off of "Them". in The Strangers there's the "because you were home" line, and in "Them" since the kids are younger they say "we just wanted to play with you"

The Strangers was written two years before Them went into production.

Neither film was based on any one particular case, but they draw inspiration from several. Including: The Tate/Manson Murders, the Keddie/Cabin 28 Murders, etc.

[Special Killa B]

I seen this movie Friday afternoon at the first showing and I thought it was pretty good! Definitely pick it up on DVD when it comes out!

[Deathscythe]

Another to add to the on-going plethora examples of that mans idiocy.

I like the other guy more than Roeper, I would have liked it if he stayed and not Roeper when Ebert comes back.

[killingvector]

I enjoyed the film for its simplicity. Streamlined and focused, a good genre film. Love the masks and the coldness of the heavies as well as the mildly uncomfortable feeling of dread throughout. However, there is definitely a 'been there' feel to it all and there is not enough novelty here to make this even the best horror of the past couple of years. Despite this, Strangers is effective enough to warrant a look.

[Freddy-Fan]

This movie gets big props from me for trying to be suspenseful rather than relying on the cheap gross-out gore gags of recent horror films (Saw, Hostel, et al.).

I have been waiting to see a movie to return to the 70s-style horror I grew up on, and The Strangers came close (a hell of a lot closer than anything Rob Zombie has done). In fact, it reminded me of the original Texas Chain Saw Massacre due to its lack of gore and abundance of suspense (not to mention the over-long chase sequence). However, I was strangely disappointed for this very reason: The Strangers really did not break any new ground or include anything that I haven’t seen before.

As far as “home invasion” films go, I liked the recent remake of Funny Games better (Note: I have not seen the original Funny Games, but I understand that it is very similar to the American remake) as well as Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986). While these later films do maintain the spectacle of violence, at least they try to intelligently comment on such violence in both film and real life.

I gave The Strangers a 6/10, which I consider to be “slightly above average” (C+), whereas I gave both Henry and Funny Games 7/10, which I consider to be “above average” (B-).

[Monkey]

Best horror film of the last 20 years, for sure. GO SEE IT!
ADDED:


I strongly recommend seeing this in theaters. It's just not the same watching it at home, as it is when you have a hundred or so other theater patrons around you who are just as jumpy as you are! You could feel the tension in this one... nobody in the audience said a word. Which, if you've been to movies in the last few years, is pretty rare.
Based on that alone... I'm going to plop $10 down to watch this movie.

[Geddy Peart]

Just came back from a showing. And while it is indeed a good horror flick, I was also a little disappointed.

First off, the stuff I liked:

-The opening narrative was reminiscent of TCM
-excellent acting all around
-genuine suspense and little gore
-nice atmosphere


However, this was really nothing to write home about IMO. Everything in this film, while executed well was something I'd seen before. I knew when all of the "scares" were coming, I saw James killing his friend coming a mile away. Nothing in this film made me really jumpy or scared.

It's decent, but I'd say wait for the DVD.

Also about the ending/opening narrative Perhaps Kristen lived and she blocked the entire/most of that night from her memory. Could it be that's why the narrator says what happened that night is still mostly unknown? Also one of the female killers tells the others "It'll be easier next time." I think I smell a DTV sequel.

[Freddy-Fan]

That's another thing I didn't like, the "It'll be easier next time" line. It really wasn't that hard this time. There were plenty of times that the couple could have been dispatched quite easily; I just figured the killers were "playing" with the couple, but that conflicts with the "next time" line.

[Apocalypto]

They weren't saying that this time was hard, they were just saying that the next time would be even easier.

I liked that line because of how stoic and casual her voice was, made them even creepier.

[The Dream Master]

I don't think they were talking about how hard or easy it was to actually do the deed in terms of the couple's resistence; I think that was pointing to the girl's inner conflict (hence the "sometimes" response to the boy's question), and the other one was telling her it would be easier on her conscience the next time.

[Freddy-Fan]

I don't think they were talking about how hard or easy it was to actually do the deed in terms of the couple's resistence; I think that was pointing to the girl's inner conflict (hence the "sometimes" response to the boy's question), and the other one was telling her it would be easier on her conscience the next time.

Well, that makes more sense, but if that was what was intended it was certainly hard to decipher. I didn’t even think about her inner conflict because we didn’t have access to her emotions due to her face being covered by the mask. Her actions and the things she said certainly didn’t imply any inner conflict. . .except for that last scene, which now seems to me to just be awkward and silly.

[The Dream Master]

Well, that's what that scene might be intended for: to show some sort of inner conflict that hadn't been expressed at that point. I personally thought that scene was very powerful and very much necessary. If only the film had ended at that point...

[nickmeece]

I seen this yesterday at a matinee...liked it, didn't love it. A few things could have been tweaked to make this EXCELLENT.

And they are...
1. Remove the narrative
2. Kill off one of the strangers
3. Make it more clear that Liv Tyler lives
4. No need for that last "scare"

Loved the look of the strangers, too, BTW...

"Is Tamra home?"

[The 5th Golden Girl]

Well, I loved it. It scared me during the viewing, and it scares me thinking back on it. I'm really creeped out now, and I'm thankful for my one room apartment.

[Cody]

An article (http://jam.canoe.ca/Movies/Artists/T/Tyler_Liv/2008/05/31/5732211-sun.html)

In her tense new movie The Strangers, Liv Tyler plays one half of a troubled couple terrorized by psychotic home invaders who target them at random.

It doesn't seem far-fetched to her.

"Things like this happen a lot. Sometimes it's completely random," Tyler says.

"My stepfather (singer-songwriter) Todd Rundgren used to live in Woodstock, N.Y., in the '70s and two people broke into his house and tied him and his girlfriend, Karen, who was pregnant with my brother Rex, to a chair. One of them pistol-whipped Todd, which was horrible. There was nothing really stolen and no reason for what they did."

Years later, in her teens, young Liv made a decision to stop watching horror films. The catalyst was The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

"They had all those sequels, but part one was really disturbing. When I was a kid, I was obsessed with horror movies and I remember seeing Texas Chainsaw Massacre for the first time and I was just like, 'Okay, I'm done with the horror movie genre.' "

Famous last words.

For his minimalist feature debut -- working with his own script which inspired a Hollywood bidding war -- The Strangers director Bryan Bertino gave Tyler and her onscreen boyfriend Scott Speedman a list of movies to watch to get in "the mood."

"I watched Rosemary's Baby, and we watched Halloween with Jamie Lee Curtis, which was wonderful, and Last House On The Left, a weird, dodgy movie."

Bertino was inspired partly by the idea of the Manson murders as experienced by the victims, and partly by an incident from his Texas childhood, when he was alone at home with his sister when would-be burglars knocked on their door looking for an empty abode.

"(Bertino) showed us things in an environment that was really specific to what he wanted, music and photographs," Tyler says. "That house was the house he dreamt of in his mind and he let us go into it and stood back and watched. He would see us so upset and disturbed, and he made it very clear to us that it was not to be campy or humourous. It was real and bleak and terrifying.

"It was just Scott and Bryan and I and our small little crew, an intimate experience for all of us, really emotional for everybody. There was never a light day. I'd come outside from my scene and my poor hair and makeup people would be standing there with tears in their eyes."

and this (http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/12542) was predictable as soon as the opening weekend numbers were reported - no details yet, but Rogue Pictures is talking sequel.

[i am SAW]

i watched this again thinking i'd like it more a second time, but i liked it even less. this movie has no replay value. all the tense build up (which is 75% of the movie) is only good the first time when you don't know what's going to happen. watching it a second time it was borderline boring. i have one more complaint too, they should NOT have taken their masks off at the end, that basically ruins the scary effect they had in the first place.

[Geddy Peart]

An article (http://jam.canoe.ca/Movies/Artists/T/Tyler_Liv/2008/05/31/5732211-sun.html)



and this (http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/12542) was predictable as soon as the opening weekend numbers were reported - no details yet, but Rogue Pictures is talking sequel.

I thought a sequel was hinted at wth the It'll be easier next time.

[skuppy]

Considering the budget was $9M and this film has made, what about $40 million so far, a sequel is a no brainer. I'm all for a sequel as long as it goes a different route. A replay of part 1 would be pointless.

[i am SAW]

just read some interesting comments on IMDB, if you have an account there, here's the link, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0482606/board/nest/108520579

if you don't...

I tried to look through posts to see if anyone posted aout the fact that shes wearing jeans and a flannel after she changes from that dress, and then at the end when shes tied up and getting stabbed, she has that dress on again. at least this isn't true. this scared me, and was so sad and disturbing. i cried but that damn dress bugged. and so did the last scene.
Yes, they change their clothes, they're very careful about where and how many times they stab them, and they also move Liv Tyler's body after stabbing her. This, of course, is to make the whole thing look like a jealousy-driven murder suicide involving the couple and James's good buddy Mike. We are supposed to understand that this is their genius M.O. that allows them to get away with their crimes. SO LAME
i never noticed these points before, it kind of makes sense. what do you think?

[The 5th Golden Girl]

I never thought that the strangers were trying to pin their crime on the dead best friend, but I guess it could be a possibility. I don't think they were trying to, though, because they started their attack long before the best friend showed up, and they had no idea he would show up. Plus, the opening of the movie says the events of that night (actually it was morning... 4AM to sunrise) are still unclear, so it's not like the cops took one look at the scene and said it was an open-and-shut case of double-murder/suicide.

The state of the house when the bodies were found also makes me think the strangers weren't trying to pin their murders on one of the victims. The car in the driveway was smashed up, the murder weapon was lying on the floor, and I doubt the strangers took the time to wipe off all their words from the windows ("KILLER" and "HELLO"). I'm pretty sure the cops ended up knowing all three bodies were murder victims (Liv Tyler's character had to have died in the end because the events of the night are still unclear); they just don't know who murdered them, when it happened, and what happened around the murders.

As for Tyler's character ending up back in her dress, I just chalk that up to another thing the strangers did for no reason or no reason known by us.

[nickmeece]

Creepy, nonetheless.

[Joshg]

And now, after a few hours of thought, here is my official review of The Strangers (2008) (http://www.oh-the-horror.com/page.php?id=254).

Sorry Wes, but after viewing The Strangers, I strongly disagree with your recommendation, especially of suh highness.

I thought the film started off strong. Liv Tyler was definitely likable, as was her husband. Their problematic relationship made turmoil ever so much more painful for them. Though, really, if they were madly in love with each other, I'm pretty sure they' feel the same pain. :D The great thing about The Strangers is that it was a breath of fresh air. I felt like I was seeing something new in the genre from Hollywood that tried to be creepy, fun, and stand out. I can easily see this becoming a seeked out cult classic in 15-20 years time.

That being said, I thought the film was utterly predictable. Fresh and predictable are weird to mash together, but that's really how I felt. The killers were creepy, but not nearly as much as they could have been. Best part is the girl shadowed on the doorstep for the first 'visit'. The masks lost their effect by their second showing, I'm sorry to say. I major positive I can give is the setting. Beautiful atmosphere, especially in day, though very excellent at night too. Not that gory, but high in suspense. Great!

I think the ending was too predictable as well, yet the end 'scare' was well executed. Another conflicting view: predictable and well executed. Odd, huh? I loved the beginning TCM-like opening, and tree years ago felt longer aways than 2005. Nice house and, off-topic, but amazing poster art. I think this was overhyped because I felt dissapointed. I want to see this again, actually. I'm hoping a second view will sway my vote nicely. The drive-in I was at wasn't the greatest experience I've had. My car window kept fogging up. :( Whyyyyy? Tense, but not terrific. I really like it, just because I can, as I've said, see it so clearly obtaining cult status. I just wish things went smoother and had more events. Fun, but felt like the 80 minutes (without credits) that it was. I just wanted more. Personally, I'd buy it if it were $10 and under, but my rating is a 6/10. Rent it!

[i am SAW]

if you're wondering if Liv Tyler survived at the end, the answer is YES!

http://www.f13-community.co.uk/board/showthread.php?p=220844#post220844

[101ant101]

Wow, this one really impressed me.

Them isn't even in the same league, and I thought Them was a damn fine film.

Such a well-told, creepy story. I absolutely loved it.





Them was better. but The Strangers was ok.


Best horror film of the last 20 years, for sure. GO SEE IT!
ADDED:


no. that goes to either Prom Night remake, or Black Christmas remake.

[i am SAW]

dvd comes out Oct. 21

here's the cover.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Gt91XwUGL._SL500_AA240_.jpg

[The Dream Master]

Good lord, that cover sucks.

[Ron]

This was such a "chick-horror flick". I 'll probably buy it for my girlfriend when it comes out.

[girlychaos]

That cover looks so lame I can't even begin to describe it.

I really want to check that movie, but if I hadn't heard anything about it and just saw it somewhere, I wouldn't feel like watching it based on that cover.

[Sean [The Wildcard]]

I don't mind the cover, but I was hoping they would have gone with the original Poster Art.

http://correctopinion.files.wordpress.com/2008/06/strangers1.jpg

[girlychaos]

I'm not crazy about that poster but it's way better than the cover, IMO.

[Jigsaw]

The DVD cover S-U-C-K-S. I'll check the movie out when I can though, it looked really good from the previews.

[Sean [The Wildcard]]

I'm not crazy about that poster but it's way better than the cover, IMO.

I liked it because it gave it that old 80's VHS Cover Art kind of feel to it, which I loved.:D

And of course ultimately loved the film as well.

[girlychaos]

I liked it because it gave it that old 80's VHS Cover Art kind of feel to it, which I loved.:D

And of course ultimately loved the film as well.

Well, I can't wait to watch it, that's for sure.

I've been avoiding all the spoilers here and it's been tough. lol

[Ron]

I liked it because it gave it that old 80's VHS Cover Art kind of feel to it, which I loved.:D


I love the old VHS horror box art from the 80's.

[El Rooto]

dvd comes out Oct. 21

here's the cover.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Gt91XwUGL._SL500_AA240_.jpg

That reminds me a little bit of that weird, crappy-ass Pieces cover.

Still, gonna have a look at this.

[MaDMaNMaRz]

dvd comes out Oct. 21

here's the cover.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Gt91XwUGL._SL500_AA240_.jpg

What.....the.....FUCK! That cover might even be worse than the Day of the Dead remakes cover. :X

[Ron]

To me, there is nothing really menacing about that cover. The trailer intrigued me and was creepy, but this dvd box art is almost....lazy? The dude looks like he catching a breath as if all of this is "putting him out".

[MaDMaNMaRz]

I can say that is easily the worst cover i've ever seen. :lol:

[TheShowstoppa]

Okay, so for a little revival - I saw this movie tonight with a friend and I have to say that it was probably one of the most tense movies I've seen in forever. I got a little freaked out by it and I have to say that I thought it was honestly one of the best horror-esque movies I've seen in years. I got sick of the same ole stuff every time I would watch a horror, but this movie made me remember why I loved them so much. And it was perfect. I honestly thought this movie did everything right, for once because you never see that anymore. GREAT movie. I highly recommend it to anyone who asks because I thought it was superb.

[MaDMaNMaRz]

My brother and his girlfriend rented this yesterday. I didnt' like it. I found it to be a bit predictable, so I never saw it as being suspenseful. The only part that got me was at the end, when the kids go in the house, and Liv Tyler wakes up in shock. I actually jumped at that scene

[Ron]

Aren't they making a sequel to this?

[MaDMaNMaRz]

I've heard of a planned sequel. But seeing that I didn't really like the original at all, I more than likely wouldn't bother with the 2nd one.

[Sean [The Wildcard]]

Yes, a sequel may be made to this. The only thing that has been documented has been an expressed interest in a sequel, but no work has been done (script wise) yet.

As for the DVD...it's thoroughly lacking in extras. Really. I wanted more extras like a commentary or something. The Making of piece was alright, but I expected more.

As for the "Unrated" version. Yeah, okay....unrated in a sense of just tacking on a cut scene near the end?. Also, it's noticeable in the making of doc that there was more cut out than just that. Especially with the dollface Strangers shown tying up Liv Tylers character to the chair.

I still thoroughly enjoy this flick, of course. :D

[Ron]

No commentary??! What? That is inexcusable this day in age.

[Utellme]

I've heard of a planned sequel. But seeing that I didn't really like the original at all, I more than likely wouldn't bother with the 2nd one.

Same here my son and his mom and other people i talked to said this movie was weak. But i had to see for myself so i rented it and me and my son watched it. Very boring to me and my son said to me see i told you it was weak. And they can't even show them unmasked at the end yeah yeah yeah i know it adds mystery but i can watch unsolved mysterys for that. Very very over rated film imo.

[mirage2130]

I hit up the local Redbox last night and rented this movie. I thought it was decent. Not the best movie I've seen but certainly not the worst. I found a few of the scenes to be pretty tense and honestly liked the fact that they didn't show their faces in the end. Because the 'strangers' did what they did simply because the victims were home and not because they knew them, taking the masks off would have made no difference. They killed just to kill, which is evident by the girl saying something like "it'll be better next time..." I don't remember exactly what she said.

[AQuietMaskedMan]

I thought this was pretty decent. I loved the idea of the using suspense over gore and thought the Strangers were pretty cool villains. I loved that they never took their masks off and left us with more mystery.

[Saturday the 14th]

I finally got around to seeing this. I thought it was a decent film that could've been so much better had they eliminated the blazing plot holes here and there. It definitely had a tense and creepy vibe that I haven't seen in a long time. But like I said, the plot holes completely took me out of that vibe and made me go "okay... why?" which is never a good thing.

It seems that the biggest thing people are complaining about on other sites is the dress issue, so here is my take on that...

I don't really get why people honestly believe Liv's outfit going from the flannel back to a nice dress was an oversight by the crew. That would be a rather major oversight. No way it was an accident. In the scene where Liv is hiding in the closet you see the male sit down and look at her engagement ring box. He leaves and the blonde pops up. Once she gets Liv out of the closet, she notices the box as well. Since they didn't know about Liv's denial of Speedman's proposal (especially since she wore the ring anyway) they assumed this night was something special for the couple. So since their night was "special" I assumed they wanted their death to be "special" too, so they put Liv back in her nice dress. Speedman was already wearing a dress shirt so I guess his appearance was fine by their standards. Anyways, that's my take on it.

[Fowlees]

Here's the dvd cover of the UK release of this film ....not bad.


http://www.iwatchstuff.com/2008/05/14/strangers-poster-because.jpg

[Ron]

Thats a hell of a lot better than what we got here in the states.

[Sean [The Wildcard]]

I really would have liked that as the DVD cover here, as well.

BUT...since my buddy works at the local Video Store, he snagged me the DVD poster. And...as much as the cover art looks a little crappy...as a poster it looks pretty sick.

[Patrick]

This movie is just weird. I didn't like it.

[Ron]

You know, I had high hopes for this movie and was disappointed on many levels, but I don't think that the movie itself was all to blame. I think this movie became a victim of its own hype.

[Jason_Legend]

I got the DVD recently.

Not a great movie, but I will say this is the creepiest horror movie I've seen, in I don't know when.

[Voorheeszilla]

I really, really enjoyed this film, and think it's among the best of the decade. It has suspense, and doesn't rely on bodycount to tell it's story.

I'm also a huge fan of both Scott Speedman and Liv Tyler, so for me it was a real treat to see these two working together.

I honestly can't wait for an eventual sequel, and I hope the sequel has as much suspense, if not more so than this one.

[Psychoticninja]

Just watched this and..... it was a good movie yes. The first 45 minutes had me gripping the bed a little. It was VERY tense and it had me jumpy. I was like.. WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT!!! A real nail biter. but then coming down to the end it just fizzled out. I don't know what happened. And some people think its great how the movie ended with a big mystery, but I don't. When a movie leaves us with SO many questions I have to wonder WHY? and WHAT WAS THE POINT!

It makes me draw reference to something as absurd as Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation ... That's how i felt after watching the Strangers, I was like.. WHY!! WHY DID ALL OF THIS HAPPEN!!!! Much like how i felt when i watched TCM:TNG

[Sean [The Wildcard]]

I think the whole thing of leaving it very open ended with the inevitable question of "why" is was makes it work.

It's approach of "These people just show up to this house, and do these things, just because" is perfect to me. I have seen many other movies where they execute this terribly, but this film did it right. Think of how many shows there are documenting the most well known serial killers. We inevitably get answers or reasonings as to why they're doing it. But, during the time of the crimes, no one knew why. Such mystery and fear was struck into the hearts of many, because they were all seamless.

If the movie went out of the way to explain "why," then It would have felt tacked on to me, just to appease those who NEED everything answered for them. I think not answering that question is great, because it leaves a lot up to the viewers imagination, ultimately making the whole experience all the more unsettling.

[Autobotsdie]

I really like this movie. Like the people in this movie I live out in the middle of boondocks and there is hardly anything around me and try watching this alone will make you wonder if someone is watching you. To me its that creepy feeling you get when you don't know whats going to happen next and any little noise you hear will set you off.

[Violent VictiM]

I love the fact that they did it for no reason. So many movies you come to expect a grand explanation, Scream coming to mind, and it's usually half assed or obvious. This one it's just like, "Oh word, these honkeys just like killin' people" and to me that's where the dopeness comes from.

[The Dream Master]

To me, it's no different than the original conception of Halloween (before the sequels obviously changed things). Why does Myers stalk Laurie? Because she happened to show up on his front porch.

[Psychoticninja]

Interesting point of views everyone put in there. I guess it's just my crazy inquiring to KNOW. lol. But, it was still a great movie and really creepy for most of the time.