If nothing else, this movie will definitely make you want to keep a gun in your house. Probably something automatic, since the shotgun didn't help these folks much.
There are a lot of criticisms of this movie pertaining to how realistic it is, how the characters react, and the pacing. For me, it worked, one hundred percent. The fear I felt in this movie was partially about imagining I was one of the victims and being afraid for my own safety. However, I think more than that, it is about being afraid that someone you care about will get hurt, and wanting to protect them.
The story focuses on a couple who come home late one night to a remote vacation cottage after a wedding reception. During the night, they are disturbed by several people with masks whose motivations are clearly malicious. It is a simple set-up, but how it builds from there just worked really, really well for me. I see so many horror movies that have no effect on me that it is pretty special when something gets to me the way this did. I think it's about escapism--I was totally able to place myself in the story, whereas many horror movies, or even movies in general, are so removed from reality that it's hard to care.
I know there will be those who disagree and find this movie as cartoonish as the next low-budget slasher. Well, I'm glad for the experience The Strangers gave me. I felt about as on edge as I would just before a car crash, except the emotions were sustained over a period of time. The tension was absolutely unbearable. I didn't try to analyze or nitpick, I just went with it, and it affected me strongly.
This is not a movie I will own and watch over and over again, because once you know what is coming, it destroys much of the technique that builds the suspense. But I don't think I'll ever forget the first time.
There are a lot of criticisms of this movie pertaining to how realistic it is, how the characters react, and the pacing. For me, it worked, one hundred percent. The fear I felt in this movie was partially about imagining I was one of the victims and being afraid for my own safety. However, I think more than that, it is about being afraid that someone you care about will get hurt, and wanting to protect them.
The story focuses on a couple who come home late one night to a remote vacation cottage after a wedding reception. During the night, they are disturbed by several people with masks whose motivations are clearly malicious. It is a simple set-up, but how it builds from there just worked really, really well for me. I see so many horror movies that have no effect on me that it is pretty special when something gets to me the way this did. I think it's about escapism--I was totally able to place myself in the story, whereas many horror movies, or even movies in general, are so removed from reality that it's hard to care.
I know there will be those who disagree and find this movie as cartoonish as the next low-budget slasher. Well, I'm glad for the experience The Strangers gave me. I felt about as on edge as I would just before a car crash, except the emotions were sustained over a period of time. The tension was absolutely unbearable. I didn't try to analyze or nitpick, I just went with it, and it affected me strongly.
This is not a movie I will own and watch over and over again, because once you know what is coming, it destroys much of the technique that builds the suspense. But I don't think I'll ever forget the first time.