The Strangers (2008)

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Back when this movie first came out, I can remember being pretty disinterested in the idea. It just seemed all so basic - a movie about a group of home invaders out to kill. And while this sort of helped spark the whole "home-invasion horror" trend as of late, it's not like this is any sort of new idea. Look at classics like 'Black Christmas,' or 'When a Stranger Calls,' or even that first scene in the original 'Scream.' Upon finally viewing it, I can honestly say I wasn't far off with my thoughts on it.

We have an extremely basic plot here involving James Hoyt (Scott Speedman) and Kristen McKay (Liv Tyler), who head to a summer home after a wedding to celebrate Kristen saying "I do" to him after popping the question. She does not say yes, however, and the whole opening of the film is the awkward situation between them. The dude full decorated for their arrival, put champagne on ice, scattered rose pedals, etc. I couldn't help but feel for him. But God knows why the heartache aspect was even really a part of things, because literally nothing happens with it.

As the would-be couple settles in for a night of what could be awkwardness, they are interrupted by a random knock at the door that no human being should ever even try to answer at that time of night, unless its expected for whatever reason. Anyway, some girl asks for Tamara - Tamara isn't home, and the girl is sent on her merry way. From there, things get weirder and creepier as the couple find themselves getting stalked by a trio of masked serial killers, doing it all for the simple reason that the couple is "home."

From there, it's pretty standard stuff. I can't really fathom why this movie got such a sequel treatment when there's nothing happening here I haven't seen done elsewhere and better. I'd say if anything was driving this movie at all, it would be its star power with Tyler and Speedman. It even briefly features Glenn Howerton of 'It's Always Sunny' fame. Otherwise, as mentioned, it's just a home invasion movie with creepy masked people, and an ending that's meant to match something like 'Carrie,' but honestly kinda fails because you see the jump scare coming from a mile away.

I suppose my main criticism of the film is just how basic it seems. Maybe it was better for its time, but upon watching it now, I'm at such a loss about what to say about it. This is the kind of movie I might recommend to someone who might be new to the horror scene because its so basic. Otherwise, there are not only better horror films out there, but better home invasion films as well. But in saying a lot about it being nothing special, its not without a few little tidbits that I actually kind of liked... take that with a grain of salt though, because this is like saying the burnt popcorn still has a hint of butter flavour to it.

The thing I can take from this movie, surprisingly enough, are the villains, themselves, credited as "Man in Mask" (Kip Weeks), "Dollface" (Gemma Ward) and "Pin-Up Girl" (Laura Margolis). They play the classic silent, masked slashers, and their masks are pretty creepy and effective. But what's chilling about them is that when they do speak, its always something that gives you the shivers. Their nonchalant attitude towards what they're doing is ruthless. The thing is, these villains could have really become something special if they had something better to work with.

I'm not going to say that the film is necessarily bad, it's just nothing special. It is loosely based on real events, as it suggests, but only in that some strangers who were breaking into empty houses in the area once visited director Bryan Bertino's house, and luckily they were home and no harm was done. He just changed it up to the invaders breaking into occupied houses. Otherwise you could just base this on an endless amount of breaking-and-entering true crime stories. Passable for a pair of new-to-horror eyes, but a little too typical for my tastes.

2/5

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