User reviews

I don't want to waste too much energy on this review but I was quite disappointed. I was looking forward to this one and it just ended up being a lame reboot of the original.

It started out with a silly tone, cheesy script and even some tacky product placement. We get into it with two relatively unlikeable main characters that barley have enough background/plot to keep the story rolling. There are countless direct parallels (I'm talking exactly the same) to the original movie and even some from the second one. To the point where it didn't feel like an homage and I caught myself thinking... why am I sitting here watching the same movie I did in 2008, but like, worse...?

It was marketed as though it was a prequel, but there was not even an ounce of origin story and there were things such as smart phones and push to start cars that placed it in the future from the original. So if this wasn't a prequel, what are we doing here?? There were multiple plot points that were seemingly important that went nowhere... including an inhaler, dietary restrictions, a friends vacation and some strung up poultry.

I'm just confused and disappointed as to why they simply remade this movie with even less of a storyline, not as good actors and a lame ending... all without infusing anything new, interesting or original into it. All in all it was relatively entertaining as a stand alone I suppose... If you haven't seen the original and are super into jump scares, then go for it. Otherwise just rewatch Liv Tyler lol 3.5 rounding up to a 4, probably wouldn't recommend.

I was super excited to see this movie as I loved the original and the trailers looked like it kept the creepy vibes of the original. Unfortunately that wasn't the case. I found the movie to be full of the cliche tacky things that a lot of scary movies have nowadays. For example, making a ton of unnecessary noise when you are hiding and trying to be quiet, using lights and lighters in dark spaces when you are trying to hide, yelling each others names as you run through the forest, just unnecessary and unrealistic things that nobody would do in real life and make you not care what happens to the protagonists. I felt like a number of things that happened in the movie just weren't nearly as effective as the original for that reason. Also, one of the reasons I loved the original was because you know absolutely nothing about the killers, where they come from, or what they are about. In this film, the entire town is full of creeps and it just really took away from the eeriness.

In my opinion, this was some pretty sloppy work. The kills and the cinematography were both just eh. The movie was so dragged out that I could cut the parts that weren't important, and the movie wouldn't even be an hour long. So many stupid mistakes too. Yeah, let's get high so your boyfriend thinks you're hallucinating. Let's play the piano, while a record is on, while you're on FaceTime at full volume for the dead silence outside the house, so everyone in the whole state of Oregon hears you. I think I'll wait till Chapter 2, and Chapter 3 comes out to rent on my TV, because that was a waste of my afternoon....

This movie is basically what happens when you read the handbook of "How to remake a movie with little to no effort". It's like the writers were trying to copy someone's homework but had dyslexia and still got the answers wrong. The movie was so unbearable that my wife and I had to watch it over two days bc we needed a break in between. Every horror trope you can think of happens in it. This film is what movies like Scary Movies make fun of. The original Strangers was incredible, the second was a great follow up. This one is hot garbage. I pray the writers read this review and quit their jobs. Please hire an entirely new crew for the other two films if they even get released at this point.

Terrible movie. I have no idea how these other reviews are giving it anything higher than a 3. It looked like that commercial where everyone is running from that masked killer and instead of getting into the running car, they go to the barn filled with killing weapons to hide. This movie stunk so bad. I will admit I didn't see the first two so maybe that's why I didn't get it and I didn't like it at all but as far as believability and storyline, plot, sensibility, it failed all the way around. Give me that hour and half of my life back. If they can make money off this crap I should make a movie as well.

I have to repost my review because it was deleted for being negative?? Oh well . The movie was very bland and not as scary as the original strangers. This film needed to be straight to streaming and not a theatricaI reIease. I didn't have fun at aII. And wanted it to just end...the opening was basic, the ending was a basic cliff hanger...overall, it was the most tame, basic R rated home invasion film ever. The purge was better than this and the Original strangers was way better and scarier. Not sure where this is headed! My best guest is, a revenge chapter 2 or another rehash of chapter 1! Save your time.

My expectations went from high to low after seeing floods of negative reviews. But after seeing it? Honestly not that bad. It lays the groundwork with enough intrigue and terror to keep you invested. While not without its imperfections, it's a well made suspense flick that sets the stage for what could be a satisfying narrative journey.

While the plot doesn't stray far from familiar territory, the film's pacing and atmosphere help to compensate for its predictability. The performances are strong, with Petsch and Gutierrez delivering emotional depth to their roles.

In conclusion, "The Strangers: Chapter 1" is a decent start. It may not be groundbreaking, but it provides a solid entry point for a trilogy with potential. I may be in the minority but I'm definitely going to give the following chapters a chance.

"The Strangers: Chapter 1" follows a young couple who get stranded in an off-the-beaten-path town in Oregon and end up spending the night at an Airbnb lodge in the woods. Unfortunately for them, three masked strangers are about to make their night a living hell.

To be clear, some may consider this review biased as I count myself as a major fan of Bryan Bertino's original 2008 film "The Strangers". To date, it is possibly the most nerve-shredding experience I've had seeing a film on the big screen. Sixteen years have passed since I first saw it, but I've never forgotten it. And while its 2018 sequel, "The Strangers: Prey at Night" took a notably different tone, it at least managed to function as a stylish and energetic slasher film in the same vein.

This reboot (or prequel, according to some sources--having seen the film now, I am unsure of how this could possibly function as such) does no such thing. Rather, it follows the framework of the 2008 original nearly beat by beat, save a protracted first quarter in which we are served the "city kids in redneck town full of leery locals who are sinister for no apparent reason" trope (by the way, I am a native Oregonian, and I can vouch that people there do not speak with southern accents, even in the backwoods).

The things that "The Strangers: Chapter 1" gets wrong are numerous, but the subtlety, stillness, and down-home feel of its source material is one of the glaring things that is most sorely missed. This film is loaded with dramatic musical cues, predictable scares, fog machine-shrouded forests, and trite dialogue. There is little to no gravity to be found here in the characters or the setting, and without that, a film with a barebones story like this swiftly goes off the rails into the land of cliche after cliche after cliche. The lead actors here do what they can with the material, but the stilted dialogue often renders them at the mercy of a lifeless and clunky script.

In the end, "The Strangers: Chapter 1" simply feels like a soulless paint-by-numbers imitation of the 2008 film, using the template as a vessel only to fill it with bland, uninspired recreations of that film's most tense and frightening moments. There are no scares to be had here, and even worse, there are few thrills either. "The Strangers: Chapter 1" is frankly boring, which does not bode well for a further two installments. "To be continued"? No, thank you. 2/10.

I really don't understand why everyone is digging so deep and being actually quite mean even down to the actress and her looks ? It's a movie... A MOVIE. Yes there are cliches and a few silly moves but newsflash ... HALLOWEEN 1978 ( excellent movie ) Scream, I know what you did last summer ... They all have cliches and silly moves .. screaming at the girl running up the stairs instead of running out the front door ! Or have you all forgotten that.... That's what a horror movie is, if they grabbed a shotgun in the first 5 mins and killed the bad guys there wouldn't be a movie lol. It's supposed to be entertaining, a distraction from everyday life, shouting at the screen and telling your husband sitting with you what we would be doing instead and how we would get away lol. It's fun. I think everyone needs to chill out a bit and just watch the movie, if you don't like it because you are nitpicking over every single scene then maybe you should be watching a documentary!

This really is as bad as the reviews are making it out to be. A lazy, generic copy and paste without the tension, scares, or any meaningful dialogue.

No tension, poor characters, and even the strangers seemed lifeless and strung together with a generic soundtrack.

Also the lame attempt at making some kind of Texas chainsaw/deliverance vibe with the townsfolk was embarrassing. I love the first 2 movies and this was bad beyond belief! I don't see how the trilogy could work out now, and frankly the characters are so boring I don't care how it ends. It was a struggle just to make it through chapter 1.

The Strangers: Chapter 1' embarks on a journey to rekindle the chilling essence of its predecessor, yet it stumbles into the abyss of the overexploited home-invasion genre. Directed by Renny Harlin, the film attempts to lay the groundwork for a new prequel trilogy but does so with a palpable lack of originality and an overreliance on worn-out tropes. The narrative follows Maya and Ryan, portrayed by Madelaine Petsch and Froy Gutierrez, whose road trip takes a detour into terror. Stranded in a remote Airbnb, they become the prey of the franchise's notorious masked antagonists. While the setting is ripe for tension and fear, the execution falls short, with the film succumbing to predictable jump scares and a script that lacks the subtlety required for a truly harrowing experience. The performances, while earnest, are hindered by characters that are crafted more as archetypes than as fleshed-out individuals, leading to decisions that serve plot convenience over logical storytelling. The antagonists, once symbols of random and unfathomable violence, are now reduced to mere shadows of their former selves, lacking the enigmatic terror that once haunted viewers. In its endeavor to pay homage to the original, 'The Strangers: Chapter 1' instead echoes its scenes and dialogues without capturing the same suspenseful atmosphere. It's a cinematic paradox; a film that is both a retread and a step backward, leaving audiences with a sense of déjà vu rather than dread. In conclusion, 'The Strangers: Chapter 1 is a reminder that many efforts of success is to revive a franchise that perhaps should have been left undisturbed. It serves as a reminder that not all chapters are worth revisiting, but especially when the story has nothing new to say. Chapter 2 here it comes...

Please do not spend your money watching this in theaters, it should be straight to DVD. Any horror/slasher movie cliche you could think of... is in this movie but worse than you have ever seen it before. This movie is meant for a very young adolescent audiences. If I seen this at 13 maybe I would have rated it higher. But from the dialogue and stupidity of characters, the plot.. even the cinematography, this movie is very very below average and even below-below average. I've watched a lot of movies and am pretty well versed. So when I say this is the worst of the worse, take that opinion pretty serious. I've literally made this account today and watched this in theaters yesterday. My first ever film rating is for this horrible movie and it gets a 1/10 and if the denominator were 100, then it would get a 1/100. To this film and everybody that helped put it together, I know people need to get paid but I'm sure EVERYBODY that worked on this knew it was a bad product. DONT WASTE YOUR TIME. I wouldn't even recommend this as a movie to stream or even bootleg, it's just that bad. Worst part is, it's not even fun-bad, just horrible bad. Thanks for reading.

If I could give this movie negative stars I would. Please don't waste your time. There's no common sense in the movie and it is full of clichés. Both the main characters are unlikable and don't know how to act at all. We walked out of the movie and if you can make it through this movie there's something wrong with you. The jump scares are so predictable. The story has no direction and is an exact copy of the first movie only addition is the smart phones and smart cars. I have never written a review in my life but this made me do it because if I can save even one person from wasting their time I have achieved my goal.

Essentially a remake of the first movie but lacked any type of creativity or interesting twists. My mind wandered often as this awful waste of time chewed up 90 minutes of my life I'll never get back. Horrible acting, very little character development, people I couldn't begin to care about. No doubt the next installment will be more of the same; cruel, boring, garbage. Moreover, absurd reactions to various situations robbed the movie of any credibility. Dealing with nut jobs harassing your Airbnb and you don't think to lock all the doors and windows? An available vehicle to escape and you don't lock the doors and take off as soon as humanly possible. Ridiculous.

The heavy trailing of this and the fact that it's part one does little to help any sense of menace as we follow the young "Maya" (Madelaine Petsch) and boyfriend "Ryan" (Froy Gutierrez) on their road trip to Portland. She's heading to start a new job as an architect, and it looks like she might have been responsible for manscaping her boyfriend's perfect visage as this annoyingly loved up and clingy couple arrive at a remote rural diner. They're not married, which seems to rile the locals and when they go to leave, their brand new car won't start. Ha! Luckily, there's an air b'n'b nearby. A remote cabin fully equipped with all the home comforts - even some Dolly to play on vinyl. They're famished so he borrows a motor bike to go fetch some burgers, she's left behind and that's where the paranoia sets in. Is she being watched? Is she alone? Will "Ryan" get back before she has finished smoking a dodgy joint, listening to an entire LP and having a long shower? Was the burger joint in California? Anyway, it's soon clear that they are in some danger and together they must use all their skill and guile to stay alive! The scenario works a bit like "Cabin in the Woods". The moonlit forest serving as a backdrop for some ridiculous choices and some woefully bad acting/writing. It does manage to engender a slight degree of peril near the conclusion, but there's really nothing at all new here and from fairly early on it is clear just what part two will be all about. Not terrible, but really predicable and disappointingly flat.

I just watched the most underwhelming film of my life. The movie's pacing was glacial, and I found myself checking my watch multiple times during the runtime. The dialogue was stilted and lacked any real emotional depth, making it feel like I was watching a series of awkward conversations between people who didn't really care about each other.

The acting was subpar, with most of the actors especially madelame, delivering performances that were wooden and unengaging. The characters themselves were poorly developed and lacked any real relatability or motivation, making it hard to care about what was happening on screen.

Just saw the chapter 1 and it's actually pretty good. A must watch in a theatre. There were some obvious Holes in the plot and some cliches. But overall it felt pretty real. Felt like it Could actually happen to any of us.

The casting was good. Acting was decent. Sound was excellent. Story was ok.

I'm really looking forward to the chapter 2 and 3 to see how the director handles the motives of the characters.

The sound is the real attraction. It really built up the suspense and amplified the emotions in each scene. The location was also perfect for the plot and it felt like we were running for our lives in the woods.

LIKES:

Great Cinematography

Two Protagonists Who Aren't Complete Idiots

Some Suspenseful Moments

Loved The Use Of The Record Player

Good Pacing

Some Creepy

Summary: Strangers is a simpler film than other slashers, but that's not always bad. This movie thrives in great cinematography to keep the movie dynamic, choosing engaging shots and angles to give you the best immersion experience. I found the shadows, the shading, and the order of the shots building on most moments, and helping add to the suspenseful moments that surprised me in this movie. Even more compelling were the protagonists, two people who aren't clear airheads or idiots who are fighting for survival. I always enjoy having better characters than the typical fodder with acting to convey the true pain and terror in their fight against the silent antagonists. Director Harlin has used fantastic cinema techniques to help add some creepy atmosphere at times without going too out of the way, alongside some haunting use of music that works on multiple layers to elicit the emotions and terror of these crazed killers.

DISLIKES:

Not Scary

Not As Engaging As The Last Movie For Me

Limited Action/Antagonistic Development

World Building is Limited

Maybe Needs Some Closer Calls

The Ending is A Tad Bloated

SUMMARY: The movie may have a lot of entertainment value, but it still hasn't stuck out as one of the most unique or haunting films. Our band of Strangers has moments, but the movie's first chapter is rather tame, mediocre, and lacking a lot of world-building or engaging design that many might be hoping for. It's not scary for much of the film if you have experience with this genre, nor does the silent walking and bobbing in the woods make for the most engaging threat. While there are some close calls, the toying drops this suspense quickly and there aren't as many engaging tactics to try and outwit these experienced murderers. And even the world-building is mundane in terms of any meaningful lore or explanations. I get this series is not known for that, but for a reboot, this was the time to start instilling more to the masked culprits to add something. And after all the limited close calls and combats, a bloated ending extends the film by an extra twenty-five minutes with only the last five holding meaning for a set up for the next installment.

The VERDICT: The Strangers' first chapter in the reboot is okay. It's not the worst movie to come out for me, but it needs to take some chances and some storytelling to help add more to this series. , Balancing out the suspense and adding some lore could do wonders to take the strong cinematography work to the fullest effects and give our already strong antagonists some extra fight. This movie could be a fun night out, but I think it's a better night in for a time killer as the suspense is not enough for seasoned viewers of the horror/thriller/slasher cavalcade.

My Scores: Horror: 6.5 Movie Overall: 6.0.

The film's acting was wooden at best, which significantly detracted from the story, turning what could have been a captivating narrative into a lackluster experience. The performances by the cast were not just underwhelming; they were almost painful to watch, as they lacked the emotional depth and nuance necessary to engage the audience. One star.

The lead actor seemed particularly out of place, delivering lines with a flat, monotonous tone that made it difficult to connect with the character on any meaningful level. This lack of expressiveness created a barrier between the story and the audience, preventing viewers from becoming invested in the character's journey. It's crucial for the lead role to be compelling, as they often serve as the anchor for the entire narrative. Unfortunately, this actor's performance felt more like a disinterested recitation than a portrayal of a complex, living individual.

Supporting actors fared no better. Their performances were equally stilted, each one seemingly vying for the title of most lifeless delivery. The chemistry between characters, which is essential for creating believable relationships and driving the story forward, was non-existent. Interactions felt forced and unnatural, further pulling the audience out of the story and reminding them that they were watching a poorly acted film. It's almost as if the cast was performing in a vacuum, completely disconnected from one another, which is a fatal flaw in any film that aims to tell a cohesive story.

The lack of chemistry was especially evident in scenes meant to be emotionally charged. Moments that should have been poignant or heart-wrenching instead fell flat, eliciting no emotional response from the audience. In one pivotal scene, where a character reveals a deeply personal and traumatic experience, the delivery was so devoid of emotion that it bordered on comical. Instead of feeling sympathy or empathy for the character, I found myself cringing at the awkwardness of the performance. This not only undermines the scene but also diminishes the overall impact of the story.

Dialogue delivery was another significant issue. The script, while not groundbreaking, had the potential to be engaging if delivered with the right inflection and timing. However, the actors' robotic line readings stripped the dialogue of its intended weight and meaning. Conversations felt like a series of disjointed statements rather than natural exchanges between individuals. This issue was particularly noticeable in scenes that required quick wit or sharp banter; instead of lively exchanges, we were subjected to awkward pauses and stilted responses.

Moreover, the actors' inability to convey genuine emotion extended to their physical performances. Body language and facial expressions, which are crucial components of effective acting, were sorely lacking. Characters moved through scenes with the grace of mannequins, their faces often blank or mismatched with the emotions they were supposed to be conveying. This disconnect was jarring and constantly reminded the audience of the artifice of the film, making it impossible to lose oneself in the story.

The director must bear some responsibility for this failure. It is the director's job to guide actors and help them bring their characters to life. In this case, it seems there was a fundamental lack of direction, as the actors appeared lost and unsure of how to inhabit their roles. Whether this was due to poor casting decisions, insufficient rehearsals, or a lack of vision, the result was the same: a film populated by wooden performances that sapped the story of its vitality.

In conclusion, the acting in this film was so poor that it overshadowed any positive elements the story might have had. What could have been an engaging narrative was rendered dull and lifeless by performances that were wooden and devoid of emotion. The lack of chemistry between actors, robotic dialogue delivery, and unconvincing physical performances all contributed to an experience that was more frustrating than entertaining. For these reasons, I can only give this film one star. It serves as a stark reminder that even the most compelling stories can be utterly ruined by bad acting.

The cinematography alone is just so good. They really find the creep factor with lighting, angles and smoke/fog. The forest scenes look hauntingly beautiful. Obviously style and overall script of the movie is similar with music, nods and flow of the original movie but it's also done so well and I think for the new generation, it's going to be a scary movie unlike anything out there recently. It's good. The jumps and scares are just perfect. Not all of the writing was exceptional but the actors perform well even in those couple scenes of unnatural responses/lines. But trust me it's not even that bad with those couple lines, I'm just being picky. I feel like the sequels are going to go in a different direction with the next two and with Madelaine's acting, it leaves you excited for what's to come! Those complaining of "why did they make another or it's similar to the first" can't take themselves out of the "remake" of it all, and enjoy the movie. Why did they do this?? Because they were home.