The Strangers may not have won over critics when it debuted in 2008, but it has gained a dedicated fanbase as one of the standout modern slasher films.
Following the 2018 sequel, The Strangers: Prey at Night, which received a more lukewarm reception, the franchise is revisiting its roots with a reboot. This new installment, The Strangers: Chapter 1, kicks off a pre-filmed trilogy, featuring a fresh couple facing a nightmare Airbnb experience when they’re forced to spend the night in a secluded cabin, only to be visited by three masked intruders.
The plot might sound familiar—and that’s because it closely mirrors the original. While this film essentially reboots the classic story, it paves the way for the series to explore new directions in its subsequent sequels. As horror reboots go, The Strangers: Chapter 1 delivers a grimly satisfying experience.
The film claims to be inspired by a notorious home invasion case, but the story of Maya (Madelaine Petsch) and Ryan (Froy Gutierrez) is entirely fictional. The couple embarks on a road trip to celebrate their anniversary but ends up in a small town where strange occurrences and Maya’s veganism add to the tension. After a meal at a diner, their car breaks down, leading them to a remote cabin recommended by a local mechanic.
You don’t need to be a horror aficionado to know that staying in a secluded cabin is a bad idea.
Despite some updated elements, The Strangers: Chapter 1 unfolds in a manner similar to its predecessor. While this may not offer many surprises for fans of the original, it remains a well-crafted thriller.
Madelaine Petsch and Froy Gutierrez make a compelling pair, their chemistry adding a layer of authenticity to their roles. Although the outcome is predictable, their performances keep you invested, even as you shake your head at some of Ryan’s poor decisions.
Familiar Frights with a Modern Spin: The Strangers: Chapter 1
The chilling anonymity of the strangers remains effective, with the film wisely avoiding any explanation for their motives. This lack of rationale contributes to the horror, complemented by the return of those eerie mask designs. Future films in the trilogy may explore these motives further, but for now, the ambiguity remains unsettling.
Director Renny Harlin brings a fresh perspective to the genre, with standout scenes like a basement escape featuring a cringe-worthy nail-in-the-hand moment. Harlin opts for atmospheric tension over cheap jump scares, enhancing the film’s unsettling atmosphere.
The trilogy’s future direction promises to delve deeper into both the victims and perpetrators of random violence, as noted by Petsch and Harlin. If The Strangers: Chapter 1 is any indication, the team behind the reboot knows how to create an effective horror experience. Here’s hoping the upcoming installments will blend this skill with a compelling and unique narrative that justifies this new take on a classic tale.