Before watching THE STRANGERS CHAPTER 1 I had heard nothing but negative feedback and bad reviews. I think one issue with the release of this film is that it’s billed as a remake and a hard reboot consisting of three movies. The Original (2008) movie is held and high regard and has a fanbase. This remake should have been billed as a sequel (the fourth entry) into the franchise. As it has a different home invasion story to the OG. I found this remake slightly tedious although having some great thrilling moments. In my opinion it’s not that bad.
5 Reasons to watch
1. The Strangers
The three strangers are all here in their known masks and attire. They are quite nasty in this one and bring the ruthless rawness needed for some tense scenes.
2. The Location
If you’re watching a thriller, slasher or home invasion film. Wheres the best place for it to be set? In the woods, in the middle of nowhere. Of course! That is exactly the isolated creepy location we have in this movie.
3. The Action is good
Granted the thrills take a while to kick in as there’s a fair bit of build to the plot. When the action starts it’s fairly relentless. Knives, axes going through wall and a tense crawlspace scene.
4. It sticks to the downbeat tone of the original.
Besides a couple of rubbish jokes and fluffy dialogue from our main couple. The majority of the film is relatively dark and even has an accidental death. The ending is especially bleak.
5. There’s a bigger story to be told
This instalment is part of a trilogy therefor we may get new character arcs in the next films. Like or not? We may even get an origin story for the strangers. However this could be good or bad. Yes the mystery surrounding these killers leaves more to the imagination. Them having no motive does support their famous words when asked why? As the respond “Because you are here” However it would interesting to see and learn why these three became ruthless killers and how they met up.
5 reasons To Skip
1. It’s practically the same thing
Besides main characters and a location switch. The movie doesn’t feel very original as we go through the same cat and mouse routine. The strangers come, The victims are scared then they fight back to ultimately fail.
2. It’s only a certificate 15
With a higher age rating we could of gotten more brutal violence and insanity. Although having some nasty scenes overall the film feels to safe to an extent. This is a problem I had with the original movies as well.
3. The scenes before the action starts
The main couple were okay choices as antagonists but damn! Does the first half an hour drag as they interact with each other and drive to the location in the woods were they’ll be staying as they are having car trouble.
4. Watching Ryan eat a sloppy burger revoltingly
It’s exactly what I wrote for number four’s header. We have to endure this man devouring a burger in the messiest faction. Ketchup is everywhere and all around his mouth. Yuck! It does lead to a good scene though.
5. Announcing a trilogy before the new film is well received
This was the problem with the Halloween reboot and The Exorcist one. The studios commit to a trio of movies although the first in the trilogy didn’t overly wow fans. I do like Halloween (2018) and kills personally. Still the point is why commit to a trilogy that is subsequently going to be badly received by the fanbase?