Customer Ratings & Reviews

It's a ok movie doesn't have much scares but it's a good watch.

I liked The Strangers, because even though I knew what to generally expect from it, it was well-made enough that it still scared me. The story begins when James Hoyt (Scott Speedsman) and Kristen McKay (Liv Tyler) arrive at James's parents' cabin in the woods in the early hours of the morning. They are uncomfortable with each other, because although they love each other, James has just proposed to Kristen, who said no, claiming that it was too soon. Shortly after they arrive, a knock comes at the door, which instantly puts the couple on edge, since it is just past four in the morning. Upon answering the door, they find a young girl (whose face is hidden in darkness due to a light being out) who asks for Tamera. The couple tell her that she has the wrong house, and she responds "see you later" and leaves. James leaves for a little while to get some things, and this is when things get frightening. Strange noises and occurences start to fill the house when Kristen isn't looking, and three mysterious masked figures begins to scare Kristen, initially from oustide the house, and soon from all over the place. James's return does nothing to stop these events, and the strnagers' terrifying games becomes increasingly bold and dangerous. A lot of the fear in the film is caused by the idea that much of what the strangers do to scare the couple is done right under their noses simply when they are not paying attention. It is easy for the viewer to imagine the same thing happening to them, because after all, how much of our time do we spend focusing so much on specific things and ignoring what's going on around us? The acting was good in the film, although it must be said that much of Liv Tyler's role involves screaming and being scared, and that toward the end of the film it becomes somewhat annoying that she really doesn't seem to grasp what's happening to her. Speedsman on the other hand takes most of what is happening to him with great restraint, which made him easier for me to sympathize with. Others may disagreee. The one thing that truly annoyed me with the film was the choices that the protagonists make, which at time seem either totally illogical or just downright ignorant. For example, for a while they gett James's dad's gun and hold out in a closet, which offers them the opportunity to stake out until the invaders come in to get them and just pick them off easily enough. However, another shock comes for the characters, and they inexplicably leave their spot and once more go on the move. It seemed like a bad move. Nonetheless, this movie definitely scared me, and was generally well-made. The look of the film was expecially just dark enough without being hard to see. Also, direcctor Bryan Bertino wisely kept the strangers as silent boogeymen rather than brutal aggressors for most of the film, which just added to the tnesion. I recommend you see it. Just be wary of its failings.

Everyone that says this movie is the same as Vacancy don't really know their facts, and the ones that compare it to other horror films really don't understand it. Yes, it is kind of a slow moving movie. Its not an action pack thriller like other horror movies that force the jump out of you...as said in special features it is better categorized as a terror film. Induces terror of the viewer, fear. Its not a grotesque film like Saw, My Bloody Valentine or Friday the 13th. Both the actors, Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman, do a fine job of acting. The plot is actually more complex then you may think, if you know some things. It is loosely based on actually murders where not much is known of what actually happened. So making a movie based on an event where not a lot of information is available, is quite challenging. I believe it was a well done movie, slightly based on true events, with good acting.

Far from the current crop of loud noise, teenage slasher films, this film delivers the scares the old fashioned way. Dread and menace is built until both the lead characters and the audience are stuck right in the middle of a realistic, modern day horror situation. The creepily masked assailants stalk their prey with sadism and without emotion and no easy answers are given as to their motivations. This is what empowers "The Strangers" with such a degree of power. People are killed everyday in real life for little or no motive so why not in the movies? Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman are both great and for the most part avoid common horror movie cliches in their onscreen behaviours. Tomandandy provide an eerie and chilling minimalistic soundtrack which really adds to the suspense of the film. The Strangers isn't up there with films like The Shining or The Exorcist however it is a very noble and welcome addition to the horror genre and achieves far more scares then 100 Prom Nights could ever hope to achieve.

This movie is a great horror movie in the tradition of older, more suspense based horror movies. The strength of it is is simplicity. . .just a couple "trapped" in their country home setting. . . The Strangers gives horror fans the best of both worlds. It feels like a slasher, without being silly or over the top. At the same time it is not "over the top" with gore or blood. This is a thriller/suspense that feels like a slasher. The only con is perhaps the suspense builds SO STRONGLY through the movie, I can see where some people thought the ending was anti-climactic.

If you're looking for gore, blood, and nothing but torture, this isn't the film that you should be watching. This movie is a horror film and a classic in its generation not because of how much blood we can see splattered across the screen, but because the suspense and realistic aspect of it all is what's scariest. You're dealing with a real situation of home invasion and murder. It happens everyday and it happens to anyone, thus the basis of this movie's appeal. This isn't a fairytale horror genre movie where you see the good guy survive by killing off the bad guy. I loved this movie for the simple fact that despite the masks on the killers, it truly shows the realism of what could truly happen to two completely innocent individuals who get caught up in a horrific situation.

Great DVD Quality, nice extras though I would have liked more. Don't you just love the phrase "inspired by true events?" That can mean just about anything these days and I've heard it all when it comes to this film. This film seems clearly inspired by the Manson murders of the 60's but is not a true story as presented. Given that, the film does an excellent job of building tension in the first 30 mins. I saw this at a Midnite Movie pre-screen and the audience jumped and screamed a little bit here and there. **Spoilers **After the first 30 though, the characters start acting typically dumb but at one point they manage to get a gun while The Strangers have only knives and an axe. In my book, that's game over for The Strangers. But not in this case as the characters we're supposed to connect with manage to screw that up as well. How do you screw that up? Eh, watch and see, it's pretty silly. Anyway, the end really holds back and pulls all punches and falls completely flat. Another reviewer mentioned Vacancy. This film bears a lot of similarities to Vacancy, but Vacancy is a superior film. So give this one a shot and see for yourself. I understand that The Strangers 2 is already under consideration as well.

This was one of the scariest movies I've ever seen. I LOVE horror movies, and I'm usually disappointed when a new ones comes out in theater, as it usually doesn't live up to my exceptionally high standards. However, this movie surpassed it. I had my pillow gripped tightly, and my palms were sweaty for most the movie, as I was just terrified. I couldn't imagine really experiencing something like that. Several points I actually screamed out. My boyfriend was even creeped out. I had a hard time sleeping for a couple of days so for this I give it 5 stars. I was scared out of my wits!

Watched last night with my family. If you want a good movie to make your wife shut her eyes and plug her ears this is it. It is a suspenseful movie, you do not know where the strangers are going to be next..in the house or outside. Anyways overall not a bad movie.

This was a great slasher film, my wife and I loved it! What makes it that much better is that it's based on true events. That always makes a horror film more intriguing, in my opinion. This film had good intensity and kept you on the edge of your seat. I highly recommend it! Also, if you like horror films based on true events, you might want to check out Monster, Wolf Creek, Broken, Slaughter (from the Afterdark Horrorfest III), and Jack Ketchum's The Girl Next Door (not the comedy).

This is one of those movies that you don't want to watch, but because it's scary. It's based on a true story and from the opening scene, you know how it's going to end and it's not going to be a pretty. I would recommend this movie for those who are in for more of a mental scare than the jump out at you kind.

My girlfriend and thought this movie was great! She actually saw it in theater and got it as soon as it came out on Dvd! She loves it, even though she's seen it more than once and knows what's gonna happen she still jumps at parts. I thought it was a good movie too! Suspenseful, good plot, based on a true story. i like it

I watched this movie, and was disappointed in it. One of my coworkers saw it and said he was sitting on the edge of his seat the whole time. He said it was an extremely scary movie. When I saw it I was getting annoyed with some of the typical stupid moves made by the people. Ex without ruining it. Theres one scene where something happens and your just sitting there saying SAY SOMETHING!!!!!, but of course he doesn't Very Aggrivating. Granted if I was put in the situation and it was happening to me, I would be scared to death. It was a good movie, but wasn't horrible, but I've seen better. Would I recommend this to a friend? I would say Watch this at your own risk and $$$.

The Strangers, is a very good movie. The plot is okay but the movie overall is very suspenseful and scary. Makes you jump in you seat sometimes and is not as predictable as most other scary movies. Great movie for most people.

For those of us who are fans of the old school horror films from the 70's, this movie is for you. Very suspense-driven, psychological horror film which is not afraid to draw out the tension and the terror.

The Strangers boast a creepy premise for a short but satisfying suspenseful movie. The scares are of the more disturbing variety than a bunch of gore.

This was a really good movie. I was so scared that i was actually sick to my stomach because of all the psychological stuff...which was awesome. Im not in to all the blood and guts so it was great!

The Strangers starring Scot Speedman and Liv Tyler was a total borefest. This was quite a dull experience, the first half where absolutely nothing happens almost had me pressing the fast forward button but somehow I didn't and just wanted to see if the rest of the film was going to get better but of course it didn't. The director spends too much time getting us to like the couple in the movie, but honestly does a terrible job. The opening sets the stage for what might look like a terrific movie. A 911 call saying "there is blood everywhere". Really? After seeing the movie I expect to only see blood in two places, not exactly everywhere. The movie has no plot and is completely hard to get involved with any of the characters since most of the time they just end up staring into space, or just wondering off late at night leaving the other person alone and defenseless. The story begins by developing the relationship between it's two stars, then separating them and introducing the terror. This worked at first in it's ability to set up and keep the viewers in suspense. Unfortunately, after we have established what is taking place, the story seems to slow down and eventually fizzles out. The second half of the film is filled with horror movie cliché's and cheap scare tactics that fall flat on it's face, almost to the point of boredom. Don't bother with this film, if you want better suspense/horror flicks then check out Vacancy, Silence of The Lambs, Eden Lake or Funny Games (the original not the remake) instead. Any of those other enjoyable and creepy films would be a heck of alot better then wasting your time with this.

I saw this movie at a screener and it was great. I will recommend this movie to people who are having a halloween get together.

It was so great, i loved how it kept you on the edge of your seat and the three masked killers were always poping up and it had amazing scary music that made it even more scary and its kinda long but u barley even notice