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Could this happen to you? IsThe Strangers: Chapter 1based on a true story? The opening title cards certainly lead us to believe so. And why not? “Strangers” knocking on your door and terrorizing you isn’t too far-fetched of a notion, as it seems. True crime docuseries are everywhere these days, perpetually growing in popularity across the streaming giants amid the world’s fascinationwith serial killers, stalkers, and more.
It’s no real surprise, then, that a throwback scary movie likeThe Strangers(2008), written and directed by Bryan Bertino, has been revisited and expanded upon in an all-new four and a half hour film – that’s beendivided into three partsafter a 278-page script was written by Alan R. Cohen and Alan Freedland. Veteran filmmaker Renny Harlin is at the helm, andChapter 1is now in theaters, serving to “redo” the original premise in a way, with familiar story tropes that might leave those familiar with the original Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman film going, “Oh yeah, I know what’s about to happen here…” It’s not always a bad effect, but by the end,you will be left scratching your head and itching for more.
From Bertino to Harlin: A Strangers Saga
The Strangers: Chapter 1
It’s an interesting effect, watching a movie and knowing what will happen because you’ve seen it before – except you haven’t, technically. Fans ofThe Strangers(2008) will probably forgive that they canpredict every twistand turn in Harlin’s first installment here, especially because they probably won’t see the genuinely frightening, pop-out jump scares coming that will leave you spilling your popcorn, disturbing the other audience members in your theater. The loud thuds alone on the cabin’s door are terrifying enough,but there’s plenty more terror to offer here…
The movie starts with a dialogue-free sequence, as a well-dressed lad (Ryan Young) runs terrified through the woods. You can probably guess how it ends, as the infamous masked murderers so memorable from Bertino’s original film emerge. It’s interesting that his 2008 O.G. work is so poorly reviewed on Rotten Tomatoes, speaking of. Millennials and budding adults might recall Bertino’s film as the type of movie that would play again and again on good ol' fashioned HBO back in the day. It was perfect to either start from the beginning in your living room late at night or even right in the middle of the movie if you’re just tuning in.
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In place of Tyler and Speedman inChapter 1(2024) are rising stars Madelaine Petsch (Riverdale) and Froy Gutierrez as Maya and Ryan, respectively, a young couple who’ve dated for five years but have not yet become engaged. They do engage with a remote town out in the boonies, however, once their fancy SUV conveniently breaks down, and they stay in a sort of makeshift Airbnb in the woods, as strongly encouraged by basically every townie they meet in the local diner. The sheriff (reliably menacingcharacter actor Richard Brake) watches on with ominous eyes, and we expect to see more from him in the two follow-up chapters…
The Strangers Live On, but Does Anyone Else?
“Hope he didn’t have the turkey melt,” Ryan jokingly says to the diner’s waitress after noticing a “missing” photo of the well-dressed lad we saw at the beginning. “He did,” says the waitress coldly, and Ryan freezes up – since he just devoured the same menu item. Talk about “bad omen,” people. Otherblack humor momentsare sprinkled throughout this otherwise expectedly unnerving feature,but the horror overpowers all else.
The big problem is that we’re left wondering why skilled director Harlin – who shot on location in the Slovakian woods to thrilling effect – didn’t skip toChapter 2,which we now eagerly await. Chopping up the film into a trilogy might be good for the finances, but it truncates the flow and creates a frustrating ending. If they did some serious editing, how daring and impressive it would’ve been to see a three and half hour epic in the horror genre, something rarely attempted? No worries though; you’ll still be scared silly, and frightfest fanatics will have a ball comparing Bertino’s work with that of Harlin’s, the man behindDie Hard 2, Cliffhanger, and plenty of other genre flicks.
What Made The Strangers Such a Terrifying Film?
One of the most terrifying films ever made, we take a look back at the 2008 horror flick!
Petsch’s heartfelt performance is quite powerfulby the end, especially fora slasher flick, and she shows promise as a future Hollywood leading lady. Gutierrez is no match for her, sadly, but we’re not really here for Oscar-contending turns. Director Harlin, meanwhile, shot all three chapters as one big movie, so we can’t wait to see what’s in store for the soon-to-be-released follow-ups.From Lionsgate,The Strangers: Chapter 1is now available in theaters nationwide.
