The Strangers (R, 2008)

common sense media says

Spooky horror film has both tension and gore.


parents & educators say

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.

Positive messages: Villains terrorize their victims randomly, just because they're there.
Violence: Beatings, stabbings, and shootings, with plenty of suspense building up to each violent act. Each act is shown in full, along with the grim aftermath. Extensive physical peril, copious amounts of blood, brief-yet-graphic shots of grievously wounded and dead bodies. People are beaten senseless then dragged; characters are shown with wounds and injuries; characters are repeatedly stabbed onscreen while tied and helpless.
Sex: Characters kiss, with the suggestion that they're about to have sex (underthings are removed, pants unbuckled) ... before other events intrude on the mood.
Language: Language includes a few non-sexual uses of "f--k," plus "bitch" and "sucks."
Consumerism: No prominent brands/products.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Characters drink champagne and beer; Tyler's character smokes cigarettes.

More on The Strangers

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
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?

What's the story?

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?

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.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Rogue Pictures
Director: Bryan Bertino
Cast: Glenn Howerton, Liv Tyler, Scott Speedman
Genre: Horror
Run time: 90 minutes
Theatrical release: May 28, 2008
DVD release: October 20, 2008
MPAA Rating: R
MPAA explanation: violence/terror and some language.
Watch our review

This review was written by James Rocchi
 
 

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What parents & educators say

15

Most useful reviews by all members

Plague
parent
 
The Strangers
Probably one of the most entertaining horrors I have seen in years. Very heart-pounding, eerie, and intense moments.

ljmx24
teen, 14 years old
 
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 (:

wbarzo
kid, 13 years old
 
5 STARS!
I love horror movies and this is one of my favorite because of the suspense!! It's amazing and scary!!

king hulk
parent of 11 year old
 
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

Vivian_L
teen, 17 years old
 
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

EmilyB123
teen, 15 years old
 
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.

dragonjoe
teen, 15 years old
 
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.

 
It has some graphic violence, but anyone over 12 would be fine. THough they would probably be bored with it.

 
a Reveiw With a Story
It is an intense horror movie. Lots of pop out sences and it gets your heart pumping. I was watching it and my six year old son was sitting there while i was watching and i thought he was sleeping, but it turns out he was not and he was freaked out. I should have just put him to bed before i watched it.

movie man 5
teen, 13 years old
 
Suspense couldn't be more suspensefull.
It was fine. Just like my star rating, 3 out of 5 was all it deserves. However, even though it is only fine, it does deliver a perfect suspense and horror theme, relying on suspense souly, rather than gore and splatter-shock. The rating Common-Sense-Media gave was not very accurate (sorry to say) as the violence is mostly off screen, and we see the body (only 2 in the whole film) laying on the floor. However, the ax-in-back would hand out a violence rating of 3 out of 5. The film is most definetly scary, and really shines in its closet scene, in which the terrified wife hides, looking through the planks in the closet door at the wandering killer and to see him suddenly notice her, his head turning towards her slowly. Also, the fact that he is wearing a burlap sack with holes in the eyes makes it even scarier to watch. Overall, it is a good horror film, and like Paranormal Activity, relies on the buildup and suspence, not the gore.

Ldude407
teen, 16 years old
 
Pretty good movie!
This is a pretty good movie. It does have a lot of violence, blood, beatings, stabbings. They're about to have sex in the beginning but they're interrupted by a knock. So nothings really shown. I think if your a very mature 14+ this should be fine, and if you like horror movies!

 
Older, but actually depends on how easily scared they get
I thought this movie would be a good 15 + Because: it's not as violent as I thought :language isn't too much for a rated R film But....... it's really scary and terrifying too many

mewally
parent of 14 year old
 

shanno15
teen, 16 years old
 
Horror flick> Gore
This movie was creepy, and horrifying because it keeps you on the edge of your seat. The violance is gorey,pursuasive,and not always done by the masked killers.

swatty
adult
 
Was supposed to be frightening, I found the random "scenes" hilarious...
Well, don't let the cover scare you. Not that scary unless you are afriad of clowns,porcelien dolls, etc. If you watch CSI type stuff, the gore won't get to you. Personally, I thought when they were trying to scare you, found it hilarious because some scenerios were pointless. I'd watch it again, to make fun of it, but if you like getting thrilled the dumb knockings on the door and stuff should give you a rush.

JohnDoe2
kid, 12 years old
 
Consider it
Stalkers playing happy music and wearing disturbing masks made me stay up at night. Very good and intense, but if you are under 12 I would consider another option. Violence, sure, but the most intense movie I've ever seen. That beats out Halloween

davyborn
teen, 17 years old
 
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.

Mr. Critic
teen, 16 years old
 
More scares then violence in creepy horror film.
The Strangers successfully delivers some scares, and some flaws as well. As the movie starts viewers will grow interested, feared, and entertained. Things start to get better once the "strangers" attack the young couple's house. Sadly, this film starts to get bad once it moves to the ending. And the ending is definitively very disappointing. Violence: Some violence includes stabbing, shooting, and psychotic behavior. Language: A few F words and more mild language. Sex: A young couple prepares to have sex by kissing passionately. They are interrupted before any R rated sexual behavior can happen. Drinking/Drugs: It seems that both characters are depressed and so they drink alcohol, and smoke cigarettes. Messages and Role Models: There are no role models, nor messages in this film. The only message in this film is that there are vicious people out there who kill for no reason.

iluvpie555
teen, 15 years old
 
very young kids will be delighted
iluvpie

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