The Strangers (2008)

Director - Bryan Bertino



In my last review, I reviewed a certain little foreign gem titled Ils (Them). The Strangers is an American flick that follows a similar formula, but not so similar it should be considered a rip off. The Strangers is about a couple who hit a pothole on the bumpy road of love, and shack up in a beautiful cabin in a nearly desolate location. They are interupted mid-fuck at a tap on the door, a "wrong house." But, alas, as in every horror flick, it's never really the wrong house, and things become quite terrifying quickly. And I don't use terrifying lightly...

For all the bitching I do about American horror lacking substance and chills, I ate shit watching this movie. I was not expecting such a powerhouse of fright. The movie is built around old-fashioned "boo" scares, as I like to call them, mixed with the eerie "silent stalking", or "still stalking" that Michael Myers so proudly brought to the mainstream in 1978. The way the intruders just stood in the dark silently and observed reminded me of the fear I felt when I saw the first few glimpses of good ol Mikey the first time I saw Halloween. As for "boo" scares, the film didn't take the low road and just throw a few in here and there, it actually left me cringing, waiting for the next masked madman (or woman) to pop up.

What I also liked about The Strangers is the oddball casting. Liv Tyler as the lead was a GREAT choice. Liv has a very natural look to herself, no "sex symbol" appeal, and it helped all the more to create a more believable character. Scott Speedman has come a long way since Felicity. Initially, I thought I'd look toward him as a "hunky male lead", as he is the kind of person who would seem to fit that mold, but his performance proved differently. Granted, it wasn't a super deep role, he succeeded in helping me to believe he genuinely cared about the issues at hand. Glenn Howerton's criminally short scene was a great one, with a line or two of comic relief. I praise the casting diretor for the off-kilter casting, because it worked very well in this movie.
Original music was helmed by tomandandy who have done scores for other recent horror films such as P2, The Covenant, and The Hills Have Eyes. Don't let their resume reflect their skills, though. The music set the moods pretty well, and I approve. The senimentality music towards the beginning pushes one foot over the cliff of corniness, however. The use of independent country/folk music was a brillaint move! The fear of impending doom set against such calm, lo-fi music felt mean-spirited. After all, it's quite a mean-spirited flick.

First time director Bryan Bertino was originally just the writer, but took the helm as director before filming began. The man proves his horror credibility, mixing a wonderfully frightening 70's slasher influence with a dramatic storyline without shooting himself in the foot. I'm excited to see what the man has in his sleeve next, and will definitely be on the lookout.

The Strangers is frightening, depressing, and quick-paced. Flaws peak up every now and then. I'm tired of the outcome being given away in the first scene, and a few unrealistic and unexplained occurances were hard to ignore. But I'd have to recommend The Strangers for the horror fan who is not yet hardened to American horror. Those of you who still have faith...

-Ben South