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The Strangers
- Review Date: May 28, 2008
- R
- Genre: Horror
- 2008
Common Sense Media says
Spooky horror film has both tension and gore.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that plenty of blood is spilled in this grisly, tense, very scary horror movie. Characters are stabbed, beaten, and shot, often very graphically. That said, unlike many others in the horror genre, the film doesn't sexualize its terror, and the characters in peril aren't just sacrificial lambs -- the filmmakers make you care about them. Some teens who aren't necessarily gung-ho horror fans may be drawn in by stars Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman -- but even though the film is well-made and, by the standards of the genre, "tasteful," there's still plenty of shocking violence and high-strung tension (not to mention some swearing, drinking, and smoking), making it better suited for older viewers with strong nerves.
What's the story?
After a wedding reception, James (Scott Speedman) and Kristen (Liv Tyler) make their way to his family's home in the country. They're clearly upset, and viewers see in flashback how, earlier that night, they had a mild falling out that they're now trying to work through. But then a stranger repeatedly comes to the door in the wee hours of the morning asking for someone who isn't there. And as their isolated home comes under siege from three masked strangers with evil intentions, James and Kristen realize that they've got bigger problems.
Is it any good?
Watching THE STRANGERS, it's clear that writer-director Bryan Bertino has studied the classic horror directors: There are hints of everyone from Alfred Hitchcock to Wes Craven in his camera work, composition, and editing. He also takes the time to establish his lead characters as people we're interested in, not just disposable victims; Speedman and Tyler both make their roles (no pun intended) come alive. And when the scary stuff starts, it's very scary stuff -- plenty of jumps and jolts and moments when you'll be shouting at the screen.
Much like the recent Funny Games, much of The Strangers revolves around the threat of random terror coming to (and through) your front door; James and Kristen haven't done anything to deserve their torment at the hands of the three intruders aside from being home -- which is fairly terrifying to contemplate. The Strangers is violent, visceral stuff, to be sure, but it's also well-made and more thoughtful than it could have been; weighed against the gory, boring Hostel and Saw films, The Strangers feels like a chilling breath of fresh air. Sure, the film includes an all-too-standard set-up for a sequel, but at the same time, while it's happening, The Strangers works as a well-made example of a film that delivers the squirmy, spooky, artificially-induced anxiety we hope to feel when we go to a horror film.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about what makes a "good" horror film and what makes a "bad" one? Why do we seek out the artificially induced sense of apprehension and stress that horror films offer us? Why is it so much fun to be scared at the movies? Also, many horror films depict random grisly crimes -- do you think these movies reflect the reality of violent crime, or do they create (and possibly perpetuate) myths and misperceptions?
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AGE
The Strangers
Probably one of the most entertaining horrors I have seen in years. Very heart-pounding, eerie, and intense moments.
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AGE
Great! not too much violence
I thought this movie was amazing! I am quite the baby when it comes to horror movies, but i thoroughly enjoyed this one. The violence (coming from a weak stomach) was honestly not bad at all. *SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER* The only mildly bloody scenes, or any blood at all for that matter, is when James accidentally shoots Mike in the head with a shotgun and James and Kristen are stabbed repeatedly. The shotgun scene is just a quick flash and a loud shot, and you see Mike on the floor with what looks like just a little dried blood and some normal blood on his face. The stabbing scene isnt even as bad as that, you see near no blood during the stabbing, but after you do see some blood on the characters. *Spoiler over* And as for the sexual parts, there are few. The couple gets fairly close, and he removes her underwear while rubbing her leg. I believe there are 2 uses of "f--k" and one use of "s--t." Kids have seen this and heard this before, its really not a big deal. This movie is great and kids 12+ can handle it, or younger if theyre not a baby like me (:
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AGE
5 STARS!
I love horror movies and this is one of my favorite because of the suspense!! It's amazing and scary!!
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AGE
i hated it it was one of the worst movies i have ever seen it started out kind of creepy but towards the middle and end it was just a bunch of gore and violince i wish i hadnt seen it
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AGE
Good, not great~
It wasn't boring and it had some scary moments, but it definitely was NOT the scariest movie I've ever seen. I was 14 when I saw this, so it's one of my more recent horror movies, and I don't remember being constantly scared, or even being frightened more then once. It's been about a year, so I could just not be remembering the scary parts. It wouldn't kill me to watch it again; I probably will. :3
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AGE
this movie was pretty good, although it was also pretty scary. the gory scenes didn't affect me as much as i thought they would (they looked pretty fake to me) but there is A LOT of tension leading up to each act of violence. If someone like me can handle it though then i must not be the only one who can. Good for ages 15 and up.
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AGE
Awesome movie with little extreme violence
This movie has only 1 scene of gore and the only reason i say 12+ is because its wicked jumpy. one of the best horror films ever made.
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AGE
It has some graphic violence, but anyone over 12 would be fine. THough they would probably be bored with it.
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AGE
Creepy horror movie is much more painstakingly intense than most
The Strangers is a gritty, very intense and very effective home invasion film, and is one that will likely be too much for some audiences, with almost the entire movie shot in a dimly lit veil of light, so that it makes things even more frightening. The movie is about a couple who, after driving back from a friends wedding, they go to the home of the mans parents summer home, while a group of three masked and deranged serial killers stalk, terrorize and kill the couple during the course of one brutal evening, and morning. Still, like I said, this is not a movie for everyone: Even though the violence is actually surprisingly lower than the usual slasher film, when it happens, it's still very bloody, graphic and disturbing. Also, there are a few sensual moments at the beginning of the movie, but the steamiest one is interrupted. Also, there is some mildly casual smoking and drinking, and, finally, there is some profanity including f--k, sh-t, b-tch and more. Well, like I said, this is a very effective horror movie, and one that true horror fans should probably be able to admire it's profound creepiness.
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| Studio: | Rogue Pictures |
| Director: | Bryan Bertino |
| Cast: | Glenn Howerton, Liv Tyler, Scott Speedman |
| Genre: | Horror |
| Run time: | 90 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | May 28, 2008 |
| DVD release date: | October 20, 2008 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | violence/terror and some language. |
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