The Strangers

A couple goes to one of their parent's cabins out in the middle of no where for a retreat. There is a mysterious knock on the door at 4 am. They check it out and then are haunted by three masked psychopaths. For what reason? "You were home."

Let me say this again, but I have an odd taste in films. Especially when it comes to my horror films. House of 1000 Corpses and Devil's Rejects are my favorite of all times. Just letting you know that before you take what I have to say about this film 100% to heart. That out of the way, I'll try to keep spoilers to a minimum.

First, the lead characters of the film were not totally your typical horror film characters/victims. They were actually people you could either feel for or hate. They had more issues than just having psychopaths after them. The short and dirty, they actually didn't want to even be there together. Well at least from the male's point of view.

He popped the big question trying to make it the best night, and she turned him down hard.

This to me made it a little more, i don't know, real and down to earth. I hate when they place people that they force you to like or hate to be victimized. Builds more suspense or anticipation when you get to decide if you like these people. Also brings it a bit closer home when you can make the connection to the character. Outside of the general stupidity that occurs in horror films, I actually was able to relate to the lead male.

That aside, some of the tactics that the psychopaths used in the film were phenomenal and one I can't remember seeing in a film.

James, the male lead, is searching his car for his cell phone and you see a hand creep up behind him to touch his neck. You would think it was going to be that shock to find out it was just his woman. But no, it is one of the killers just there to scare him a bit more and then vanish. Phenomenal!

Then you have the killers themselves. They used the answer I love giving for the question "Why are you doing this?" That is, "Cause I can." Now granted, their phase was "You were home," but it is the same gist. To me it is creepier when there is no real motive other than, because they can do it. That is the mind of a true psychopath. Much more scarier than cause you killed me when I was a kid or your parents burnt me alive. Just my thoughts.

To top that off, they keep the killers, characters and actors, on the down low the entire time. For instance, the actors of the killers were relative no names. About 7 movies between the three of them. Unless you are a crazy movie buff, you would recognize the names or faces. On top of that,

Even when the killers take off their masks at the end, they never show their faces. Even when the "Baby Doll" masked girl shows up, they keep her face shadowed out. Makes for a true faceless killer.

I had a few issues with the film, from a forensics stand point, but I won't go into that, cause it will give up a few things about the film. And I think three spoilers up there is more than enough for this. But lets just say that it isn't anything major that detracted from my great time.

Oh, and before you go crazy looking up what actual crime it was based on, I'll give you what the crew and writers said here. It closely was inspired by the Manson Murders, but if it was to be based on anything solid, it is any crime of Home Invasion. So there ya go.

One more thing before I hear it again from someone. The disclaimer that states that all characters are fictitious and locations are...blah blah blah, it is at the end of every fucking movie. I had many people tell me that pretty much points out that the "True Events" statement at the beginning is a complete lie. Those people just haven't stayed to the end of movie credits and seen this on any fucking movie before. I had a huge debate on it with a friend of mine. They refuse to believe that disclaimer is at the bottom of every credit roll. It's even there on films that are based completely off historical facts. So there ya go.

In the end, if you like a good shock and scare, check this film out. I loved it!

Pwned a lot

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