“The Strangers: Chapter 1” REVIEW

“Why are you doing this to us?”

“Because you’re here!”

The two most chilling lines of The Strangers when Maya finally sees her killers before they are about to killer her. The question is will they really?

The latest Lionsgate film featuring Scarecrow, Pin up and Dollface seeming following the same eerie story time. A couple stranded in an abandoned cabin meet their fears and fate when encountering three strangers. Done as a reboot from the 2008 film, this new generation does an equally good job of making you weary of your neighbors especially in an unknown area.

Starring Riverdale‘s Madelaine Petsch as Maya and Ryan Bown as Jeff, the couple that find themselves trapped and running for their lives. Both step into the horror role, as relative newcomers, in such a way that cause use to be truly invested in what happens next. With this film being both actor’s first endeavor into the horror genre, it will certainly be interesting to see them in more of the same roles. They both did exceptionally well for that. Similarly the town that they stumble in equally add suspense as everyone that the couple encounter makes it as though they definitely are not welcomed.

Looking into the cinematography of the film being set in a secluded forest type setting, it does raise suspension as to what will happen next. What is even more chilling is when the audience sees The Strangers before the couple. It will leave audiences on the edge of their seats just waiting for the jump scares to happen. One thing the writers did is leaving a lot to our own imagination as we anticipate the final encounter.

All in all, The Strangers: Chapter 1 will send chills down your spine. While the rating is R for extreme violence, one might say the violence is tame compared to other films with the same rating. That being said, of course, it would not be recommended for sensitive audiences, however for true horror fans, The Strangers: Chapter 1 is for sure a must see.

The Strangers: Chapter 1 came out in theaters May 16 to an early Thursday night crowd. It is currently playing in one near you.