The Strangers

2008

The Strangers

Critics Consensus

The Strangers has a handful of genuinely scary moments, but they're not enough to elevate the end results above standard slasher fare.

48%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 164

48%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 311,240
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Movie Info

Explore your worst fears imaginable in this Unrated version, now with never-before-viewed scenes too shocking and intense for theaters! After a 4 a.m. knock at the door and a haunting voice, Kristen McKay (Liv Tyler) and James Hoyt's (Scott Speedman) remote getaway becomes a psychological night of terror as three masked strangers invade. Now they must go far beyond what they thought themselves capable of if they hope to survive.
  • Rating:
    R (for violence/terror and language)
  • Genre:
    Horror, Mystery & Suspense
  • Directed By:
    Bryan Bertino
  • Written By:
    Bryan Bertino
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Box Office:
    $52,500,000
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Universal Pictures

Cast

Liv Tyler
as Kristen McKay
Scott Speedman
as James Hoyt
Glenn Howerton
as Mike
Gemma Ward
as Dollface
Kip Weeks
as Man in the Mask
Laura Margolis
as Pin-Up Girl
Alex Fisher
as Mormon Boy #1
Peter Clayton-Luce
as Mormon Boy #2
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Critic Reviews for The Strangers

All Critics (164) | Top Critics (39) | Fresh (78) | Rotten (86)

  • The movie is best before the mayhem actually starts: First-time writer-director Bryan Bertino gets right some priceless details as the couple try to deal with the evening's earlier fallout, and elevates his movie above other horror films.

    Mar 30, 2019 | Full Review…

    Sara Voorhees

    Observer
    Top Critic

  • Given the two dominant trends in recent American horror -- meat-grinder gore and remakes of Asian films involving creepy pale children -- this nasty but rather tightly made film almost counts as a return to classical virtues. Almost.

    Nov 17, 2011 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

    Hank Sartin

    Time Out
    Top Critic

  • The Strangers has a couple of scares, but it's not anywhere near as frightening as advertised. The creepy folks of the title are more fumbling than fiendish.

    Oct 18, 2008 | Rating: 1.5/4

    Claudia Puig

    USA Today
    Top Critic

  • A good-looking, sophisticated, if somewhat pointless addition to the slasher-horror genre.

    Aug 29, 2008 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

    Charlotte O'Sullivan

    London Evening Standard
    Top Critic

  • Messy, intermittently effective ordeal horror.

    Aug 29, 2008 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…

    Peter Bradshaw

    Guardian
    Top Critic

  • The usual stupidness ensues. "Stay here darling with the axe-wielding psychos while I go and get help," says Speedman. Ugh.

    Aug 29, 2008 | Rating: 1/5 | Full Review…

    James Christopher

    Times (UK)
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (164)

Audience Reviews for The Strangers

  • Sep 26, 2015
    The Strangers may not be the most intelligent or original horror film, but it's nonetheless a terrifying film that will leave you scared to stay home alone.
    Bradley W Super Reviewer
  • May 10, 2013
    A good, suspenseful, horror film. In the RT consensus you may have read the following: "The Strangers provides a few scares, but offers little else to distinguish itself from other slasher films." and while I have a few critiques of this film myself which keep it from being better, I do not agree with this consensus. This slasher distinguishes itself with it's premise. We've probably all feared experiencing a break in while in the house, some crazed serial killer coming in to kill us right where we are supposed to feel the safest. This film exploits this. It goes from a stranger knocking on the door late at night disturbing a not-so-happy couple, to three strangers (inevitably) hunting this couple down. These villains have Micheal Myer's power, which as I mentioned in my review of The Hitcher, is the antagonist's ridiculous ability to appear /disappear at will, and to generally know just exactly where their victim is... The failed catchings / life spares are simply there to fill in the 90 minutes. With all that said, it's a minor annoyance, and this is a pretty good film otherwise. Not the most unique horror film you'll ever see, but rightfully it's own piece. Enjoy it for what it is, it's well done.
    Horrific R Super Reviewer
  • Jun 30, 2012
    Horror elements work and it effectively relies on a super slim story. Other then that, this film becomes frustrating
    Albert K Super Reviewer
  • May 25, 2012
    the scares come from the beginning when the lead character has no idea of the impending danger. once the villains reveal themselves it becomes a tiredsome race to a forgettable conclusion. the final third really lets the wheels for off
    Brendan N Super Reviewer
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