The Strangers (2008)
Horror, Thriller |
The Strangers is a American psychological horror film written and directed by Bryan Bertino. The plot follows Kristen and James whose stay at a vacation home is disrupted by three masked criminals who infiltrate the home. The screenplay was inspired by two real-life events: the Manson family Tate murders, a multiple homicide, as well as a series of break-ins that occurred in Bertino’s neighborhood as a child. Some journalists noted similarities between the film and the Keddie cabin murders that occurred in Keddie, California in 1981, though Bertino did not cite this as a reference.
Made on a budget of $9 million, the film was shot on location in rural South Carolina in the fall of 2006. Originally slated for a theatrical release in November 2007, it was postponed before a theatrical release on May 30, 2008.
In a secluded area, away from civilization, James Hoyt and Kristen McKay arrive at night to James’ childhood summer home, returning from a friend’s wedding. Tension abounds between the couple, as Kristen rejected James’s marriage proposal to her after the reception. James calls his friend Mike and asks him to pick him up in the morning. Shortly after 4:00 a.m., there is a loud knock at the door.
A young blonde woman, whose face is obstructed by poor lighting, asks the couple “Is Tamara home?”, but is turned away by James. James goes for a drive to purchase a pack of cigarettes for Kristen; before he departs, he starts a fire in the hearth. Kristen realizes the chimney flue is closed, and attempts to open it; smoke emanating from the fire triggers a smoke alarm. Kristen attempts to disarm the smoke alarm when she is startled by another knock at the door; she drops the alarm on the floor, unnerved.
Director: Bryan Bertino
Writer: Bryan Bertino
Stars: Scott Speedman, Liv Tyler, Gemma Ward
►Cast:
| Alex Fisher | … | Mormon Boy #1 |
| Peter Clayton-Luce | … | Mormon Boy #2 |
| Scott Speedman | … | James Hoyt |
| Liv Tyler | … | Kristen McKay |
| Gemma Ward | … | Dollface |
| Kip Weeks | … | Man in Mask |
| Laura Margolis | … | Pin-Up Girl |
| Glenn Howerton | … | Mike |
| Jordan Del Spina | … | Jordan – 911 caller (voice) |
Sources: imdb & wikipedia