If atmosphere alone can make a movie, "The Strangers" is that movie. That is not to say the film is devoid of content, it is just that the atmosphere is executed so perfectly that it makes this movie completely work. Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman play a couple who return home from a friend's wedding who find their night going real bad. The tension builds slowly but effectively as pretty much nothing happens for the first 25 minutes, yet you find yourself being drawn in. When a stranger knocks on the door looking for someone who does not live there, the tension moves up another level as "things that go bump in the night" becomes a device for ratcheting up the terror. "The Strangers" torment the couple until they are afraid of their own shadows with just the hint of possible harm. At the one hour mark of the movie, you see, these strangers really haven't hurt anyone, but you are right there with the characters wondering what these people are up to and how far they will take it. Liv Tyler carries much of the screen time and does an excellent job conveying the horror she is feeling. "The Strangers" definitely makes for an increasingly creepy night of movie watching. One disclaimer: The film opens with a blurb about how it is "Inspired by True Events". The term "inspired" basically means that the events as depicted in the movie are completely made up. The movie did not need this "sell". It completely stands up on its own.Grade: B
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1 comment:
Another solid movie. It was one of those put yourself in the characthers shoes and it will freak you out.
Steve
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