by Cache Ecrivain

Created on: June 30, 2008   Last Updated: January 17, 2009

"This story is based on actual events."

This may be the most terrifying line in the entire movie, which the screen spits out at you during the beginning credits, because it is absolutely true. Everyday people are killed by friends and family for sometimes clear motives, and that is a sad fact. But what is really terrifying is when there is no reasoning behind a killers murders, even in their own minds. The most frightening crimes we can succumb to are random murders with no agendas. And that is the fear that The Strangers uses to grab at our hearts and stomachs. Because the fear of falling victim to a violent act is something every person in the world can relate to.

The story revolves around a young couple who are staying at a cabin after a friends wedding. You find out fast that the man had proposed to his girlfriend, who did not accept the beautiful ring. Despite her rejection, you know there are still feelings between the couple, even though the man is obviously broken. He plans to leave in the morning, to have some time away from her and her rejection. But the couple are soon visited by a mysterious young girl, who seems to have the wrong house. But she is soon joined by two more, terrifying strangers, and they reek havoc on the couple.

Unlike a lot of home invasion movies, the perpetrators in this movie are not really trying to toy with their victims. They are simply trying to catch them throughout the whole movie, because all they want to do is kill them, not play unnecessary games. This is only a cat and mouse game because the killer's victim's refuse to go out without a fight. But from the very beginning of the movie you know that there is no happy ending, so there is really no surprise in that area.

The Strangers had so many good qualities, the one possible mistake in the movie is drowned out. This movie features great old time songs, that help make this movie more suspenseful and creepy. The acting by Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman is superb and the actors are really able to portray the fear surrounding their characters. And the very creepy, mostly silent acting of the "masked strangers" will haunt you for a long time! The male Stranger has taken to breathing very deeply, almost with a sickly tone to it. But trust me it is something that will send shivers up your spine. The directing for this movie is done absolutely beautifully. The fast paced action in this thriller will keep you at the edge of your seat the entire time, your body will never be able to relax while it's in the presence of The Strangers.

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