The Strangers

If one movie were to instill the common fear of being home alone, it would be The Strangers, written and directed by Bryan Bertino starring Liv Tyler as Kristen McKay and Scott Speedman as James Hoyt.

The film starts off with two Mormon boys who stumble upon a destroyed truck, and a house that appears rather empty, but covered with blood splatters, a bloody kitchen knife, broken glass, a velvet ring box, and a record, eerily spinning in its player. To make the mood even more frightening, the scene is dubbed over with a phone call to the police from a distressed women, describing the hideous scene before the audience. Then the film flashes back, to unfold the previous events (which, Bertino claims, are based on true events, although I presume rather loosely.)

James Hoyt and girlfriend Kristen McKay are returning from what appears to be a friends wedding, although the couple is obviously upset. However, not directly revealed in the film, it is pretty obvious that Kristen has rejected James' proposal for marriage, making their upcoming road trip, and romantic stay at James' father's cabin rather dismal, depressing and awkward.

On top of this tension, a unnecessarily loud and daunting knock pummels on the front door, where a voice of a girl asks if Tamara is home, which obviously, she is not.

The story continues when James leaves the house briefly, the madness begins and the audience is scared and tries to anticipate (although it is still always shocking) the Strangers' appearances.

As a horror fan, and knowledgeable on how disappointing and horrible these films can often turn out, I thoroughly enjoyed The Strangers. I felt the film could have been slightly shorter, since, not much happens in the duration of the film, and although the mysteries of the plot are never quite fully resolved, it makes the film that much more intense and nerve-racking.

Surprisingly, I found Speedman and Tyler very good, which is also rare in horror films, so that's always a plus. And I felt terrified the entire film, which I love in a thriller.

In attempt to not ruin any more of the film, I will not share any of the better or worse moments, but I do strongly recommend that all horror fans see this movie, I mean, even The Onion gave this film an A-. I'd give it about a B+.