The Strangers (2008) (Collector's Edition)

[Member-222782]

I never saw this in theaters. Kind of wanted to but I'm burned out on crappy modern horror films that are either derivative (ideas stolen from other, better movies) or use gimmicks to tell a story; In this case, shaky cam. So I took advantage of a price drop and blind bought this a couple of months ago and just now finished watching it. My instincts were spot on: this is derivative junk. I'm guessing this was shot digitally. Let me tell ya - shaky cam and digital photography DO NOT MIX. That's problem numero uno. Number 2: this premise was fresh and was better handled (much better handled) by the French flick this film is derivative of, which is "ils" ("Them"). Anyone on the fence with The Strangers, I recommend seeking out ils instead. My other issues with this film have to do with boring characters and stupid things those characters do, apathy for their plight, lack of real suspense, etc. I'll just write this off as a reasonably cheap mistake in judgment.

[Worship.my.wreck]

Originally Posted by Cinema84

I never saw this in theaters. Kind of wanted to but I'm burned out on crappy modern horror films that are either derivative (ideas stolen from other, better movies) or use gimmicks to tell a story; In this case, shaky cam. So I took advantage of a price drop and blind bought this a couple of months ago and just now finished watching it. My instincts were spot on: this is derivative junk. I'm guessing this was shot digitally. Let me tell ya - shaky cam and digital photography DO NOT MIX. That's problem numero uno. Number 2: this premise was fresh and was better handled (much better handled) by the French flick this film is derivative of, which is "ils" ("Them"). Anyone on the fence with The Strangers, I recommend seeking out ils instead. My other issues with this film have to do with boring characters and stupid things those characters do, apathy for their plight, lack of real suspense, etc. I'll just write this off as a reasonably cheap mistake in judgment.

Uhhh.....

I'm not sure what movie you were watching, but the Strangers is not a found footage film, and there is no "shaky cam" effects....

[Member-222782]

Originally Posted by Worship.my.wreck

Uhhh.....

I'm not sure what movie you were watching, but the Strangers is not a found footage film, and there is no "shaky cam" effects....

The filmmakers were going for a documentary style so the camera is always moving. It doesn't suit this film at all.

[Worship.my.wreck]

Originally Posted by Cinema84

The filmmakers were going for a documentary style so the camera is always moving. It doesn't suit this film at all.

What in the world are you talking about?

[Member-222782]

Originally Posted by Worship.my.wreck

What in the world are you talking about?

Never mind lol

[OneWayFilms]

Originally Posted by Cinema84

I never saw this in theaters. Kind of wanted to but I'm burned out on crappy modern horror films that are either derivative (ideas stolen from other, better movies) or use gimmicks to tell a story; In this case, shaky cam. So I took advantage of a price drop and blind bought this a couple of months ago and just now finished watching it. My instincts were spot on: this is derivative junk. I'm guessing this was shot digitally. Let me tell ya - shaky cam and digital photography DO NOT MIX. That's problem numero uno. Number 2: this premise was fresh and was better handled (much better handled) by the French flick this film is derivative of, which is "ils" ("Them"). Anyone on the fence with The Strangers, I recommend seeking out ils instead. My other issues with this film have to do with boring characters and stupid things those characters do, apathy for their plight, lack of real suspense, etc. I'll just write this off as a reasonably cheap mistake in judgment.

I respect your views and opinion. You wrote out why you didn't like it and no one can tell you that your personal opinion is wrong.....only that they disagree with it.

I never saw THEM, I just looked it up on YouTube and watched the trailer, your right, it seems to be another version of the same set up and story. Many movies do that. Just like when Ju-on was released, so they made an American version and called it The Grudge. I'm suprised we didn't get an American version of The Babadook, perhaps it stands good enough on it's own.

I personally LOVED 'The Strangers' and to this day consider it ONE of my personal all-time favorite scariest movies. I love how they took a slow-paced approach and allowed the suspense build slowly, instead of many modern horror movies that just go for jump scare after jump scare.

The suspense in The Strangers built tension that was so intense, I was holding my breath and clutching my seat throughout much of the film. It left me drained and exhausted from the tension.

While I can respect your opinion and review on this film, I also respectfully DISAGREE with it. All I can say is 'To each his own'. One man's trash is another man's treasure. Sorry it failed you, but it HAS succeeded in building a very large fan base and it was considered a box office success.

[Jay Mammoth]

The Strangers is awesome, definitely one of the best blind buys I ever made.