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Bookmark this pageThe Strangers (2008)
Director: Bryan Bertino
Movie review
From Time Out London
An unacknowledged Hollywood remake of the French horror movie ‘Them’ – in which a couple in a remote holiday home are terrorised by a trio of nocturnal attackers – this suspense film by first-time writer-director Bryan Bertino initially squeezes some surprisingly effective scares out of familiar elements. Sadly, the scenario quickly becomes attenuated and unbelievable.Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman, having fallen out over a refused marriage proposal, spy barely glimpsed figures in Kewpie doll, Scarecrow and Betty Boop masks looming out of shadows – and the banging, frightening and chasing starts.
Tyler looks suitably vulnerable throughout; Speedman is hamstrung by his character’s penchant for dumb, self-endangering behaviour. It all goes utterly pear-shaped when Speedman’s pal turns up before dawn, while the ‘Funny Games’-derived coda vainly strives for an intellectual weight that the film has not earned.
Author: Nigel Floyd
Time Out London Issue 1984, Aug 28-Sept 3 2008
User reviews of this film
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- godfrey hamilton said...
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Posted on Mar 22 2010 09:37
Nigel Floyd asserts this is "an unacknowledged Hollywood remake of the French horror movie ‘Them’ "
No it isn't. 'Them' (called 'Ils' in French; a better translation might be 'They', if for no other reason than ensuring film buffs don't get it muddled with the classic giant ants movie from the nineteen-fifties) was written two years after 'The Strangers' was penned. - Report as inappropriate
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- mrs. moneypenny said...
- Posted on May 13 2009 01:48 umm since WHEN do lowlifes need a 'reason' to be violent,brutal,killing lowlifes?!! That's WHY they are lowlifes because they 'kill for the thrill' lots of folks kill for no other reason than they were bored sick as that is so it's not fair to criticize the movie for that.
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- J sULLY said...
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Posted on Mar 22 2009 17:37
I was very much looking forward to this movie after seeing the previews.
What a let down, quite possibly the worst film ive seen all year!
Do not watch!! - Report as inappropriate
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- rach said...
- Posted on Mar 06 2009 21:39 I feel hard grudged even giving this a review! but i feel that i should warn people not to watch this! I must admit the first 15=-20 minutes were a bit suspenseful but thats it! You guys are talking about this being gruesome - how sheltered are you! there was like 3 drops of blood! sorry but not my cup of tea!
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- Andy said...
- Posted on Jan 24 2009 23:55 My god what rubbish,Firstly the film should be called the knockers because all anyone does is knock on windoows or doors" if you think thats scary your in for a treat" I sat there 30 mins 40 mins thinking ok somethings going to happen but no i could have fast fowarded the film 50 mins and i wouldnt have missed a thing.All that fuss and in the end they get stabbed twice and thats it ,film finished.If you think the films scary dont watch the tweenies because youl poop yourself.
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- Ash said...
- Posted on Jan 02 2009 00:19 This film was ok although half of it didn't make sense. Plus we watched it at home so the suspense and noise part didn't really get us. Some of the comments on here are so thick though come on! A- The phone call at the beginning is from one of the little kids named JORDAN, NOT the woman. And the three masked people, was TWO women and ONE man, not TWO guys and one woman.....duh!!!!!!!!!!!
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- Tobias said...
- Posted on Dec 01 2008 05:59 What a piece of crap movie. Hopefully the writers and directors don't quit their day jobs at McDonalds. And hopefully they won't make another movie, ever.
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- GameGirl said...
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Posted on Nov 15 2008 21:56
Everybody is saying this movie by true real events - actually if you want to know the real truth - Research.
Go to Wikipedia. Also This movie was "inspired" by true events as opposed to being "based" on true events. Inspired by allows the directors imagaination to run rampant. Based on true events are actually based on facts. - Report as inappropriate
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- Radic said...
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Posted on Nov 08 2008 04:06
I got a couple of knives and some masks lying around. Whom of you should i pay a visit?
react quick and you might get a bonus.. - Report as inappropriate
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- countrygirl said...
- Posted on Nov 03 2008 16:56 i LOVED this movie. it scared the sh*t out of me. it's the best scary movie every. there was a plot to it. the only reason they were killed is because they were home. its based on a true event. all those things really did happen. the woman was the only one that survived. if you didnt like it then ur stupid as h*ll. the houses that were down the road (of course we never saw them) were broke into. the three people really did torture that couple that way. you dont even know what ur talking about when you say there was no story line
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- Laura (Age 14) said...
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Posted on Oct 26 2008 15:30
I thought the film was amazing...My favourite yet. I understood the ending.
'It will be easier next time' Come on there probably are going to go on a killing spree..Maybe 'The Strangers 2'
Was easy to work out. Best film yet.
5 star rating. - Report as inappropriate
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- fearn said...
- Posted on Sep 30 2008 13:51 well im thinkin of goin to see this later.. n im a sucker for horrors/thillers. all these dif opinons..i gues bein a film buff i'l have to be my own critic.hope all u guys that liked it r rite!
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- priya said...
- Posted on Sep 26 2008 17:13 Its very slow at the beginning. Takes ages to build up to the bit where it makes u jump. I was the only one who screamed so loud i didnt even realise. It is scary and weird in sum parts but there is no fcking story line. The ending doesnt make sense. And the reason for dese STRANGERS well der is no reason. Im so scared of masks now and any sounds in da house make me jump now. Its gud if u jus wana be frightened dnt even bother finking bout the story line
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- gavin said...
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Posted on Sep 24 2008 14:20
Shanice i think you are the one who needs a brain check babesss!!
the film is bloody fantastic! It was the scariest film EVERRRR.. and i could barely sit in the seat as i was up in the air from jumping.
i even let out a few yelps along the way!! har har har.
i'm seeing it for the 5th time tonight with my boyfriend and we both absolutely LOVE it!
scarier than any other horror film.
'The Grinch'.. eat your heart out!! - Report as inappropriate
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- shanice said...
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Posted on Sep 24 2008 14:16
i thought it was absolute balls!!!
it was not scary in the slightest and anyone who thinks it is needs a swift blow to the head!! LOL.
i didn't jump once. some diluded people might have enjoyed it but definitely not me.
DO NOT WATCH!!!! - Report as inappropriate
Cast & crew
Director: Bryan Bertino
Cast: Liv Tyler, Scott Speedman, Gemma Ward, Kip Weeks, Laura Margolis, Glenn Howerton full cast
Rated: 15
Duration: 85 mins
UK Release: Aug 29 2008
US Release: May 30 2008
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