The Strangers is a pretty cool film. Made in 2008, and most notably for the inclusion of one of my main flames, Liv Tyler. As a movie it was a pretty cool film, a pretty cool plot and quite well produced.
The plot revolves around couple Kristen (Liv Tyler) and her partner James who go out for a weekend wedding / getaway. Their relationship is clearly on the rocks and the getaway is a chance to repair things between the two of them. They attend the wedding and retire to their own accomadation for the night where they try and get a little romance happening. They receive a knock on the door late at night which seems odd. It was a young woman asking for someone. James goes out for a drink and while he’s out the girl returns, incessantly knocking on the door, which of course creeps Kristen out.
THE PLOT OF THE STRANGERS
It’s not long before the situation descends into psychological warfare. The knocking persists and Kristen knows someone is messing with her. Kristen looks out the window and sees an attacker and realises she’s basically in a world of shit as masked invaders surround the house and try to force their way in. I’m not sure how but James makes his way back into the house without seeing the home invaders. At first James doesn’t beleive there’s anyone out side the house or trying to gain entry but checks out the surrounds to make sure but soon realises something is very wrong. I guess if nothing else it now means Kristen has some help in the house. Can the pair survive what’s about to happen next? Well, that’s for you to find out by watching the movie!
One thing that does give this a psychological edge over other films is the fact that it supposedly is based on a true story. Director Bertino was noted as saying their was a similar killing in his childhood neighbourhood. Another thing that sets this apart from other films is the cinematography. The filming and camera techniques lend itself to create an air of tension with the way its filmed. The initial camera work seems to be very shaky, it kind of builds the tension and the feeling something is very wrong. It also kind of gives the viewer the couple are being watched.
THE VERDICT
Overall I liked the Strangers. I’m not going to go so far as to say it’s an all-time classic or even what I’d call essential viewing but it’s fairly decent and of course having Liv Tyler in it didn’t hurt. Bertino really won in the way he manages to keep the feeling of tension going through out the entire film. It definitely keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire duration of the film!
I should say this movie probably isn’t for the gore-hounds. But if you’re in the mood for a movie leaning more to the thriller side of horror, rather than the flat out gore, this is definitely a cool watch and well worth your while. Anyway, I wasn’t the only one who liked it, as the film did quite well at the box office grossing $80+ million!
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