Considered by many as a modern era classic, filmmaker Bryan Bertino’s 2008 debut “The Strangers” is a simple horror story that escapes the common theme of the supernatural and the oft-employed crutch of mindless gore.
“The Strangers” relies on gripping tension, and delivers a chilling terror in a fast-paced format. The scares are carried out in a plausible and real life sort of way.
Bertino tells a story of isolation. The theme runs throughout the movie, beginning with the subtleties of a car sitting at a red light and no other traffic around. The vehicle is carrying Kristen and James who are heading to a remote cabin in the woods. We know the couple is fighting over something, and the emotional charge between the pair offers stronger tension than any demonic possession.
Liv Tyler is a great character in the role of Kristen. She’s a modern day scream queen, and thanks to her genetics, can give Jamie Lee’s bloodcurdling roar a run for her money. Beside her is Scott Speedman as loving boyfriend James. Speedman is solid; being a regular guy tossed into a life and death situation and doing whatever it takes to protect the woman he loves.
“The Strangers” paints a tale of a futile situation, as Kristen and James deal with the external forces that propel the film. Weak parts for me aren’t absent. An opening placard depicting that the movie is based on real events was completely unnecessary since the viewer knows this can’t be true. Liv Tyler is great as a damsel in distress, but at times is a bit over the top when it comes to making helpless or foolish decisions. I know it’s a horror movie but sometimes you want to scream at the way Kristen and James are behaving.
What I loved is the terror bestowed upon the house, beginning at 4 am with a loud knocking at the door, and the introduction of a group of complete strangers who proceed to taunt, tease, and terrorize Kristen and James for seemingly no reason at all. Dressed in simple but eerie masks, the three strangers aren’t anything otherworldly. Just malicious.
At 1:25, its virtually a real-time format and the succinct run time makes the scares consistent and believable. Bertino includes brilliant chilling additions like the cadence of an old record player or the piercing shrill of a smoke alarm to add to the ambiance. Footsteps patter about from unknown directions, and the pantry scene is one of the most chilling you will find in any horror movie.
The score in “The Strangers” does what many scary movies fail to do; let the horror speak for itself without the addition of sound effects or sharp music at key times. One of the most iconic images depicts Kristen all alone in the house, and one of the strangers peering out at her from behind a dark wall. There is no sound added. Just a chilling image that easily stands on its own.
I watched “Halloween” right before I watched this, and could easily spot the influences of the John Carpenter classic. The masked face in the shadows, slaking in silence, was very similar to Michael Myers actions, including the head-cocking of wonder after a gruesome murder.
“The Strangers” is a good horror film. I can think of no better way to spend Halloween night. It’s a film best served when watched with the lights out – only if you’re brave.
by – Matt DeCristo
