The Strangers

Rogue Pictures | Release Date: May 30, 2008

8.0	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 531 Ratings

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TheQuietGamerOct 18, 2018

A good example of how to do a slasher/home invasion thriller. It's not exactly original, which means some things can be quite predictable, but there are enough unique stylistic flourishes that allow it to have it's own identity. Like theA good example of how to do a slasher/home invasion thriller. It's not exactly original, which means some things can be quite predictable, but there are enough unique stylistic flourishes that allow it to have it's own identity. Like the mellow country music soundtrack which is unexpectedly great at creating atmosphere. The bit with the record player skipping was brilliant. The Purge franchise wishes it had masked menaces this creepy.

I love the way the killers have a habit of lurking narrowly outside of the protagonist's peripheral vision. Slowly slipping in and stalking from behind or just off to the side. These uncomfortable moments are reinforced by great camera work. A shame the antagonists start making you less uneasy the more you see of them. At least their motives (or lack thereof) are still disturbing. The Strangers is all about senseless human cruelty and is a very sadistic watch despite not relying on graphic depictions of torture. Instead there's a lot of psychological harassment. The faceless intruders use sound, cryptic messages, and other freak out tactics to slowly unnerve their prey rather than just relying on brute violence to do the trick. There's something much more horrifying about a foe who can outthink it's victims. Mind games > simple murder.

There are a few black marks on this otherwise taut thriller. A overreliance on fake scares is one of them. Characters will occasionally separate only to turn a corner and get freaked out by... Each other. These act as the film's few attempts at jump scares and are mostly just irritating. Same for the rather weak one in the ending. The old afformentioned "let's split up" trope is also overused and has never come off as a sensible thing for the people to do in any horror movie. Those who take frustration from survivor's constant investigation into every little sound or eerie sight may get fed up here as it's something the protagonists constantly do. Personally, I think it makes a little more sense in the context of these events than it typically does in other films as the killers are constantly egging them on to do it.

Inspired by real-life brutality, there's a sense of believability to the things occurring onscreen that makes them all the more unsettling. The titular "strangers" are meaner than any ghost, zombie, or bloodthirsty creature as they embody and act upon the simple potential for savagery that exists inside us all for no reason other than they enjoy doing so. Such disregard for human life from another person is chilling and the film capitalizes on that well. Flaws aside, this is an incredibly tense experience that will have you double checking all the locks after watching it.

7.5/10… Expand

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survivorfan989Jul 8, 2013

A solid Thriller that is quite intense to watch as we witness a young couple terrorized by three 'strangers' who make their night a living hell. It's a slow-paced film but it picks up in all the right spots and is carried out well by theA solid Thriller that is quite intense to watch as we witness a young couple terrorized by three 'strangers' who make their night a living hell. It's a slow-paced film but it picks up in all the right spots and is carried out well by the actors (although I'm not a big Liv Tyler fan). The final few scenes is where it all happens and is the highlight of the film, but the build up is necessary for the film. Overall it's not the best in its genre, but well worth a look regardless.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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khutchNov 12, 2013

It's hard to find a good point in a thriller that even stress can't create.
You can't wait for everything finish, and then you see the point where the film hits, is short.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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bfoore90Nov 2, 2019

Liv Tyler brings the goods here. This is an extremely grim film, chock full of jump-scares but they feel earned with the atmosphere and tension displayed here.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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Voodoo123Jan 17, 2018

I really enjoyed the cinematography in this movie. The intro and home invasion setup a solid premise unfortunately .... 2008's The Strangers clearly tries to take a leaf out of texas chainsaw massacre's book, yet fails to maintain decentI really enjoyed the cinematography in this movie. The intro and home invasion setup a solid premise unfortunately .... 2008's The Strangers clearly tries to take a leaf out of texas chainsaw massacre's book, yet fails to maintain decent pacing to build and release the tension becoming more thriller like in execution. Also, the very-hard-to-follow logic of the lead characters as they crawl around when faced a trio of ever threatening ninja bogeymen was awkward to watch. Overall an enjoyable-ish film that had the potential to be something truly special.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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Meth-dudeMay 20, 2015

The acting is great and the atmosphere is intense.The scenario is not really original and people keep accusing it to be the same as the one from Funny Games US.The movie is entertaining and well made,but I was expecting better than this.

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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CineAutoctonoSep 18, 2018

"The Strangers" has been a decent movie, despite being slow and not very agile, in addition to the mediocre performances, it has a very good premise and the fear factor it generates is very good, it also has a very good photography.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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drone41Feb 15, 2018

Total waste of time. Pointless and poor. Don't even try to understand it. There's no way.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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FilipeNetoJun 28, 2018

This movie tells the story of a couple who are alone in a very quiet and isolated house when three individuals with malicious intentions begin to harass them. What might just be an annoyment, however, quickly becomes a life-and-deathThis movie tells the story of a couple who are alone in a very quiet and isolated house when three individuals with malicious intentions begin to harass them. What might just be an annoyment, however, quickly becomes a life-and-death situation as the three strangers prove themselves willing to all atrocities. Well... this film is allegedly inspired (lightly) in a real crime case but the idea is not entirely original, so the film is no more than a remastering of existing material mixed with tons of horror clichés, then ruminated in other films such as "The Last House on The Left" or "You're Next". So, we already know the story and we even know how it will probably end. Worse: the film basically consists of pure harassment, there is no story. Its a couple running in a house, fearing for their life, period. This would work on a short film but not on a one-and-a-half hour movie. It simply tires us through too much tension and suspense with nothing to which it can support itself. Bryan Bertino signs the film, being his first work as director. Of course, a newbie, a freshman wanting to show himself and show talent that he does not have yet. The film makes abundant use of sound effects to suspense, but some of them are so cliché that they end up making the film even more predictable. Liv Tyler is the only actress I've ever seen in other works ("Armageddon", "Lord of the Rings"), and although I see her talent, I do not think this movie would be the right fit for her to shine. It was a mistake for her to accept the role because she never adapted herself to the character or the film. The rest of the cast virtually does not stand out. Despite all this, its a film that can be watchable one time or another, when we have forgotten enough of it.… Expand

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cameronhalmansOct 3, 2018

The Strangers is a peculiar film in the sense that it succeeds in tone, setting, and tense direction, but completely fails to write characters with any conviction. Watching this film was like watching stalker porn.

40/100

0 of 13 users found this helpful013

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Palindrome704Jul 4, 2021

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0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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Acquit77Jul 18, 2021

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tellmikeyyOct 16, 2021

Felt like one whole scene shot as an entire movie. Wasn't what I thought it was going to be. Not a bad movie, not a slasher that I was hoping for. Also wished I would of got to learn more about why they had troubles in the beginning of theFelt like one whole scene shot as an entire movie. Wasn't what I thought it was going to be. Not a bad movie, not a slasher that I was hoping for. Also wished I would of got to learn more about why they had troubles in the beginning of the movie, felt like they brushed it under the rug.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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Embalmer98Jun 9, 2021

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+,+,,÷,÷,÷,÷,÷,÷,=,=,=,=,=,=,=,=.=.=.=.=.=,=,=,..=.....

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