The Strangers: Chapter 1 (2024) spoiler free review
They don’t need a reason. The Strangers: Chapter 1 is a 2024 American horror film directed by Renny Harlin, written by Alan R. Cohen and Alan Freedland, from a story by Bryan Bertino. Being the third film in The Strangers film series it’s the first installment of a prequel trilogy to The Strangers (2008). The film had its world premiere on May 8, 2024 at Regal L.A. Live and was released on May 17, 2024, by Lionsgate Films, in theaters. Chapter 2 is expected to be released in the fall of 2024, and Chapter 3 on an unspecified date.
After their car breaks down in an eerie small town, a young couple is forced to spend the night in a remote cabin. Panic ensues as they are terrorized by three masked strangers who strike with no mercy and seemingly no motive.
Film synopsis
The cast includes Madelaine Petsch as Maya, Froy Gutierrez as Ryan, Rachel Shenton, Gabriel Basso, Ema Horvath, and Ella Bruccoleri.
My opinion
On their way to Portland Maya and Ryan end stranded on a small town somewhere in Oregon. Forced to spend a night on a cabin in the woods, isolated and with no one known nearby The Strangers have found their next victims. Following the game of cat and mouse, Maya and Ryan must find a way to get out of the house before it’s too late.
Serving as a prequel to The Strangers (2008), the first installment of this future trilogy has arrived, leaving more questions than answers in its wake. Lacking that charm that made the 2008 version so renowned, The Strangers – Chapter 1 feels like a failed attempt to replicate it. The story lacks coherence by being called a prequel but taking place in modern times with the latest in technology. This takes away from what a prequel should be like. A franchise that did know how to handle this detail is Final Destination with Final Destination 5 (2011). At the beginning is not established on what year it happens and it is not until the end that we know that we are in the year 2000. With this it is revealed that this is the prequel to Final Destination (2000) working both effectively and coherently.
Having some scary and tense moments, Madeline Petsch’s performance saves the film from being average. On a positive side the tension build up was palpable and effective throughout the majority of the film. But in the end it deflates like a ballon as the story takes the predictable route. Expectations were high and unfortunately these were not exceeded. Now we just have to wait for the continuation of this story that should arrive in the fall of this year.