The Strangers

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The Strangers

R

Released May 30, 2008

1h 25m

Horror

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

49%

Tomatometer

164 Reviews

48%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Kristen (Liv Tyler) and James (Scott Speedman) are expecting a relaxing weekend at a family vacation home, but their stay turns out to be anything but peaceful. First, a mysterious and dangerous woman arrives at the door while James is out on an errand. When he returns, he accidentally kills his friend Mike (Glenn Howerton), mistaking him for an intruder. And then real danger does show up -- in the form of three masked torturers, leaving Kristen and James struggling for survival.

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Critics Consensus

The Strangers has a handful of genuinely scary moments, but they're not enough to elevate the end results above standard slasher fare.

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Sara Vilkomerson

Observer

The movie is best before the mayhem actually starts: First-time writer-director Bryan Bertino gets right some priceless details as the couple try to deal with the evening's earlier fallout, and elevates his movie above other horror films.

Mar 31, 2019

Full Review

Nigel Andrews

Financial Times

The formula of calm followed by shock is repeated until one tires of the technical polish of Bryan Bertino's directorial debut (with nods towards Funny Games and the French Them?) in the absence of coherent plot or character development.

Mar 31, 2019

Full Review

Adam Nayman

The Ringer

Bertino's directorial smarts are on display from the first slow-cut montage of rural homes glimpsed from the window of a moving car. It's a passage suggesting free-floating, arbitrary menace.

Mar 9, 2018

Full Review

Preston Barta

Denton Record-Chronicle

A taut and incredibly gripping horror story that distills its subgenre to its core elements.

Oct 25, 2024

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Not even Bertino’s impressive formal control as a first-time director can make up for how empty the material is and how absurdly familiar the whole thing proves to be

Rated: 1/4

May 19, 2024

Full Review

Toussaint Egan

Polygon

A lean and profoundly gripping horror movie that strips the home invasion subgenre down to its bare essential parts to drive home the intimate, primal terror of its premise.

Oct 20, 2021

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Movie W

Creepy slow burn film that is masterfully shot, acted, and edited

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/26/25

Full Review

Lauren O

The sounds, the music, so creepy. One of my favorite movies. I was scared of the front door for awhile after watching. I don’t know why the reviews aren’t great. Watch it! You will love it.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/23/25

Full Review

SkyRo P

"The Strangers," released in 2008 and starring Liv Tyler, presents a chilling scenario where a group of masked intruders terrorizes a couple in a remote home. The premise is intriguing and offers a fresh take on the horror genre, creating a sense of dread that resonates throughout the film. While I appreciated the originality of the concept, the characters themselves felt somewhat underdeveloped and didn't quite reach the level of iconic horror figures. The main antagonist had the potential to become a memorable horror icon, but instead, he fell short, perhaps due to the lack of depth in the character's backstory and motivations. The dynamic with the female characters also contributed to this feeling, making it seem less like a solo killer narrative and more like a generic horror scenario. I found the film enjoyable, though perhaps not groundbreaking. It delivers enough tension and scares to keep viewers engaged, but I wouldn’t classify it as a classic. Unlike horror legends like Freddy Krueger, who combines terror with dark humor, or Michael Myers, whose chilling presence feels all too real, "The Strangers" doesn’t quite create a lasting impression. The characters lack the unique traits that make horror icons memorable, which ultimately limits its impact. In summary, "The Strangers" is worth a watch for horror fans, offering some effective suspense and thrills. However, it may fade from memory over time, with its characters not quite standing the test of time in the horror genre. Still, I recommend giving it a try for an engaging evening of terror.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/18/25

Full Review

Jelisije J

Not necessarily a bad film, but their is nothing new, imaginative, or engaging with the story or its characters.......the ending however made this film at least memorable.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

03/16/25

Full Review

Tim N

Re watched last night and I still love it!! The sheer hunting and the music even the darkness of it is amazing!! A million times better than the new version!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/20/25

Full Review

Audience Member

this movie needs more love. From the way it was shot to the intense performances, it is a movie I can't watch alone

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/24/25

Full Review

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Synopsis

Kristen (Liv Tyler) and James (Scott Speedman) are expecting a relaxing weekend at a family vacation home, but their stay turns out to be anything but peaceful. First, a mysterious and dangerous woman arrives at the door while James is out on an errand. When he returns, he accidentally kills his friend Mike (Glenn Howerton), mistaking him for an intruder. And then real danger does show up -- in the form of three masked torturers, leaving Kristen and James struggling for survival.

Director: Bryan Bertino
Producer: Doug Davison, Roy Lee, Nathan Kahane
Screenwriter: Bryan Bertino
Distributor: Rogue Pictures
Production Co: Intrepid Pictures, Rogue Pictures, Mandate Pictures, Vertigo, E1 Entertainment
Rating: R (Violence/Terror|Language)
Genre: Horror, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 30, 2008, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 15, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $52.5M
Runtime: 1h 25m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby SRD, DTS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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