Review of The Strangers (2008) by Nixy — 26 Sep 2012

I found this film mindless. I didn't like the acting, their decisions were lost on me and therefore my sympathy lessened as the film progressed and I just found the whole concept of the film upsetting.

I kept hoping that there was going to be a point behind everything that was done and yet nothing was ever offered. I appreciate that being in a state of blind panic, you're not going to make the most rational of choices but I felt that there got to a point where the film was just outright stupid.

It did make me jump, but so do most unexpected loud noises, so that in itself is fairly meaningless. However, in the interest of fairness, it seems only right to point out what I think the film did do well.

I think they were successful in making the 'strangers' genuinely unsettling and disturbing characters, it was suspenseful at times it being so close to home, quite literally, is an aspect of the film that will probably stay with a number of its viewers.

Also, certain scenes that weren't reliant on making its audience jump were quite well thought out and as such, made for some fairly chilling moments. On the whole, as you can tell, I wasn't too impressed and I think a lot of people, particularly horror fans, will want a lot more from a film than this one was able to provide.