Creative quotient
Flashback a couple of months and you get to Vacancy, a horror film that featured Kate Beckinsale and Luke Wilson and played to the idea of a young couple assaulted and stalked by some blood-hungry maniacs. The Strangers has a similar premise.
James Hoyt (Scott Speedman) and Kristen McKay (Liv Tyler) land up at an isolated vacation home and there is a lot of tension between the two. A few flashbacks reveal that James and Kristen were involved in a fight, after which they made it to the home.
Very soon, a masked girl knocks on their door and what follows is a stalking game where three masked killers hunt the young couple.
Technical expertise
The Strangers in every sense of the word is a classic case of implementing horror techniques. Fast-moving camera shots, dark corners, whispering and some chilling music have all been implemented in this 90 odd-minute thrill ride.
The film has no special plot, storyline or creative expertise. The filmmaker Bryan Bertino has one aim - and that is to make his audience jump. The film succeeds at doing just that and like most thriller / horror films do, it compromises on storytelling and establishing characters.
The entire film has a handful of dialogues so the actors’ performances are judged on the basis of their screen presence. In that respect, both Speedman and Tyler do satisfactory jobs.
The screenplay is full of predictable happenings like running across a lawn to the car, a chilly scene in the dark barn and several such clichés. But to those who fancy a pulse- pounding film sans common sense The Strangers does a fantastic trick.
Ratings
If the viewer questions the film, he will feel disappointed. If he plays along and lets the setting create scares then Tyler’s and Speedman’s performances, the music and the endless jump scenes will be worth three stars.
