The Strangers - 7 stars out of 10

The Strangers - 7 stars out of 10

I respect "The Strangers" because I never experienced a moment of "Awe, they ruined the story" or "This is stupid."  Is it the greatest scary movie of all time?  No.  But it does provide 80 minutes of adrenaline that never lets up.  Even though I rarely enjoy Liv Tyler in any role, her terror and screams were perfect in this film.  The joy of this film is the unknown - who are behind the masks?  Why are the masks so childlike but terrifying?  Why did they choose this couple?  What do they want?  This is where most movies would ruin the story by having it be some long-lost step-uncle who buried Aztec gold in the basement.  Instead, we are left with a logical, believable explanation that satisfies our curiosity but keeps up with the theme of the film.  I do not recommend watching this film with the lights out when you are home alone.  You will see faces in every window and figures in every doorway, to the point that you are fighting yourself not to double check for intruders.  The film doesn't need blood to magnify it's terror.  It just has to put us all in uncomfortable situations that we have experienced, especially hiding in the closet from something scary and dreams where you're trying to run but can't.  I do have to say that Tyler looked pretty ridiculous crawling around and think that it could've been portrayed in a less goofy manner, but overall it was a solid scare with some decent twists.(one in particular that you will see coming a mile away but pray that it doesn't end with inevitability).  It isn't my favorite scary film, but I'd recommend it.