The Strangers (2008) Standard Edition Review

4 star horror, a masterclass in tension building.

The Strangers is written and directed by Bryan Bertino (The Monster), who made his very impressive feature directorial debut with this film and was originally released in 2008. A terrifying home-invasion story, it is presented here on Standard Edition Blu-ray courtesy of Second Sight Films and is available from 19th August 2024.

“Since we’ve been here, I haven’t heard a dog bark, or a car pass. Nothing. Just us and them.”

Kirsten McKay (Liv Tyler – Armageddon, The Lord of the Rings) and her boyfriend James Hoyt (Scott Speedman – Underworld, The Vow) have just left a friends wedding reception. Following a botched proposal attempt, the atmosphere between them is more than a little frosty as they return to James’s family holiday home.

Even more awkward, Kirsten discovers that James had decorated the house with rose petals and even bought champagne ready to celebrate. They do attempt to make up, they still love each other, but James decides it would be better for him to spend the night elsewhere.

He lights a fire for her and leaves, but things soon begin to turn strange when there is a knock at the door at four in the morning. It’s just a young girl it seems, but when she refuses to open the door the knocking persists.

Terrified, she calls James to return home but this very long night is only just beginning as three masked strangers are stalking the remote house and terrorising them. Who are Dollface (Gemma Ward – The Black Balloon), Pin-Up Girl (Laura Margolis – Dirty Sexy Money) and Man-In-Mask (Kip Weeks – Seeds) and what do they want with this young couple?

“Why are you doing this to us?”
“Because you were home.”

The Strangers is a very well written film, which builds tension extraordinarily well. It is a long time before we get to any gore, but you will be thoroughly on edge by the time you get there and the jump scares are well worth the wait.

It is expertly directed, finding fear in dark corners and things that go bump in the night, as well as the fear of your home being violated. Liv Tyler is brilliant as the paranoid angst-filled lead and delivers a very believable performance.

A really good example of its genre and well worth adding to your collection.

“I’m going to open the door, and I just want you to run. Okay?”