The Strangers — The Strangers(Blu Ray boxset)
The Strangers appeared in 2008- it was the first film from Texas-born writer/ director Bryan Bertino. And it’s fair to say it’s one of the finest debut films you're likely to see, as well as one of the great horror films of the 2000s. The film is perfectly and expertly scoped for both building dread and tension. With a small yet-highly-effective cast, and sparse 'n' tight script- that largely remains believable & possible.
The film focuses in on late 20's couple James Hoyt( Scott Speedman) & Kristen Mckay( Liv Tyler)- who have just arrived at James family vacation home late night. The pair haven’t had a great night, and there is clearly tension & upset from the off in both characters- James popped the big question while they were out- and Kristen turns him down. The vacation house is set on its own at the end of a road and is surrounded by woodland. In the early hours of the morning, someone starts knocking on the house's door in a sudden and loud manner- it turns out to be a woman who remains in shadow asking ‘ if Tamara is home?’- the pair say no, and from here on the tension & dread get slowly-but surely turned–up, as the couple get taunted & stalked by a trio of silent masked figures- a big bulking & wheezing man in a dress suit wearing a sackcloth hood, and two women in 1920’s like face masks.
The film is a perfect terror machine, as it seesaws between unease & dread, moments of very tangible creepiness, and sudden jarring shock/ fear. There are very fleeting moments of blood/ gore- but really The Strangers is all about atmosphere, growing tension, and primal fear. Both Speedman & Tyler- feel both very real & believable in their portrayal of a troubled couple, and you really do feel for them. The three invaders are really unsettling in their silent stalking around the house, within particular the hood headed man giving the most uneasy & downright creepy moments. The film- in either version- slides in under the hour & a half mark, so everything is kept tight & focused in both it’s storyline, flow, and execution.
Moving onto this Blu Ray of the film- and we get two versions of the film- theatrical & extended cut- the latter runs around a few minutes longer, so not vastly different from the theatrical cut- with just a few adjustments/ additions. On the new extras front we get around two & a bit hours of new on-screen interviews- first is a fifty-six minute one with writer/director Bryan Bertino, here he goes from talking about how he got into the film industry- doing any job he could. Moving onto how his script for The Strangers got his foot in Hollywood door, before going to discuss how he was off, then on the film- and finally got offered to direct the film. He goes onto discuss the films production, the locations, and the rather underwhelming sequel to the film. It’s a very down to earth, honest & interesting interview. Next, we get a forty-three-minute interview with the film's editor Kevin Greutert, a sixteen-minute interview with Liv Tyler, and nineteen-minute interview actress Laura Margolis- who played one of The Strangers. Next, we get a few bits over from the original DVD release- taking into two around nine-minute featurette with cast & crew, deleted scenes, and trailer. The finished release comes with a softcover book- featuring news essays from Anton Bitel & Mary Beth McAndrews, as well as stills & behind the scenes pictures- I can’t comment on this,as I’m reviewing a screener.
It’s great to see The Strangers get the classy Second Sight treatment- as it really is a classic modern horror film, that is mangers to be as chilling & unsettling as it was when it came out twelve years ago- and I think it will remain a timeless classic.