The Strangers (2008)
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A couple's stay at a vacation home is interrupted by three masked intruders in the middle of the night.
The story
In February 2005, James Hoyt and Kristen McKay arrive at James' isolated childhood summer home following a friend's wedding. James is reeling after an emotional Kristen rejected his marriage proposal at the reception. The couple's attempt to relax is interrupted by a knock at the door. They encounter a young woman asking for someone named Tamara, whom they dismiss. However, the presence of intruders soon becomes a terrifying reality as they realize they are being watched. When the front door is forced open and the intruders begin to infiltrate the property, the couple must find a way to survive the night against three masked assailants who have entered their home.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In February 2005, James Hoyt and Kristen McKay arrive at James' isolated childhood summer home. After a tense evening, they are interrupted by a woman seeking someone named Tamara. As the night progresses, they realize they are being stalked by masked intruders. When the intruders breach the house, the couple attempts to flee but is intercepted by a vehicle. They retreat to a bedroom with a shotgun. During the chaos, James mistakenly shoots his friend Mike, who arrived to help. The couple is eventually separated and hunted; Kristen hides in a pantry while James is incapacitated by the Man in the Mask. At dawn, they are tied to chairs in the living room. When asked why the intruders are there, Dollface simply replies, 'Because you were home.' The intruders unmask themselves before stabbing the couple. They leave the house and encounter two young boys distributing religious tracts. As the intruders drive away, Pin-Up Girl remarks, 'It will be easier next time.' The boys enter the house and find the bodies of the couple and Mike. In the final moments, Kristen briefly regains consciousness and screams as one of the boys approaches her.
- First release year
- 2008
- Runtime (minutes)
- 86
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Bryan Bertino
- Writers
- Bryan Bertino · writer
- Cast and characters
- Liv Tyler · Kristen McKay; Scott Speedman · James Hoyt; Gemma Ward · Dollface; Kip Weeks · Man in the Mask; Laura Margolis · Pin-Up Girl; Glenn Howerton · Mike
- Genres
- psychological horror; horror; thriller
- Themes
- random crime; pastoral paranoia; menace of the unknown; social divide
- Tone and mood
- tense; suspenseful; grim; claustrophobic
- Premise and plot tags
- home invasion; masked killers; survival; rural horror
- Source material / true-story basis
- Original screenplay by Bryan Bertino
- Reception
- The film received mixed reviews from critics, with some critiquing it for its sadism and sparse character development, while others praised its atmosphere, suspense, and psychological elements. It has since gained a cult following and been praised for its tension and stylistic minimalism.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 47 · scale: 100 · review count: 28
- Awards and nominations
- Best Horror Film · Saturn Awards · Nomination; Best Actress · Scream Awards · Win
- Production trivia
- The screenplay was inspired by the Manson family Tate murders and local break-ins.; The house was constructed to look like a 1970s ranch house.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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