For every unique and creative idea implemented in The Strangers, there is an equal amount of missteps and rehashed concepts scattered throughout. The very premise borrows heavily from Michael Haneke’s 1997 thriller Funny Games, however the approach offers several new methods. Horror fans may be pleasantly surprised to find The Strangers relying on inventive scare tactics and a sadistic sense of purpose, though gorehounds will be dismayed at the lack of free-flowing red stuff and the relatively little amounts of actual onscreen bloodshed.

Recently estranged couple Kristen (Liv Tyler) and James (Scott Speedman) arrive at their friend’s remote country home in gloomy spirits after an unexpected turn of events at a wedding reception. Things get even worse when a seemingly lost young girl continues to antagonize them and three masked strangers arrive to terrorize the stranded couple.

Perhaps with the horror genre more than any other, it seems that everything has been done before. The trick then might be to reintroduce the audience to a style of horror they’re familiar with, but under a new light or with a glossy coat of unexpectedness. The Strangers begins, as many do, with a written epilogue sprawling out murder statistics and the foreboding message that what we’re about to witness is based on true events. From there the two main characters’ plight plays out as expected for the most part, as one quickly realizes there are only so many possibilities and outcomes for the fate of so few primary victims. What sets The Strangers apart from much of the horror genre released of late is its method of building suspense. Rather than relying on copious amounts of blood and gore or the tiresome “jump scares” that permeate every scene in lesser fare, here the camera focuses on our victims and allows the terror to creep into frame or lie dormant in the background awaiting an opportune time to strike. Seeing the antagonists patiently drive our unfortunate couple insane blankets the film in pervading suspense and a moody dementia.

Similar to the problems 2007’s Vacancy faced, The Strangers only utilizes two main protagonists. Not every horror film requires a high body count, but the possibilities certainly diminish and the conclusion becomes far too predictable. Director Bryan Bertino has given our heroes plenty of opportunity to break free from the expected, yet their advantages quickly disappear as they fall into the genre rut of making too many impossibly bad decisions. Being alone (or injured and alone) certainly adds a chilling predicament when the hunt is on and you’re the prey, but both Kristen and James make such blatantly stereotypical horror movie “don’ts” that the audience is more likely to scream at their stupidity than the terror caused by their pursuers.

Unfortunately the initially clever scares and ominous villains only last so long, and the film lessens its grip on the suspense and supports itself on the protagonists’ idiotic choices during their panic. At first Bertino’s debut effort feels refreshingly original, but once the good ideas run out and reveal the generic thrills underneath, The Strangers feels all too familiar.

- Joel Massie

Click HERE to read the exlusive interview with director Bryan Bertino!