The Strangers: Chapter 1
Movie Trailer
Release Date
May 17, 2024 (United States)
May 8, 2024 (Regal L.A. Live Premiere)
Genre
Horror
Cast & Crew
- Madelaine Petsch as Maya Lucas
- Froy Gutierrez as Ryan
- Gabriel Basso as Gregory
- Ema Horvath as Shelly
- Rachel Shenton as Debbie Lucas
- Ella Bruccoleri as Jasmine
- Richard Brake as Sheriff Rotter
- Joplin Sibtain as Billy Bufford
Director
Renny Harlin
Other Movies Director is Known For:
- Deep Blue Sea (1999)
- Die Hard 2 (1990)
- Cliffhanger (1993)
Producer
- Courtney Solomon
- Mark Canton
- Christopher Milburn
- Gary Raskin
- Alastair Burlingham
- Charlie Dombek
Writer
- Alan R. Cohen
- Alan Freedland
Budget
$8.5 million
Production Company
- Lionsgate
- Fifth Element Productions
- Stream Media
- Sherborne Media
- LipSync
Running Time
91 minutes
Languages
English
Maturity Rating
R
Content Advisory
- Violence
- Intense sequences
- Strong language
- Psychological horror
Movie Story
The Strangers: Chapter 1 is the first installment of a planned trilogy that serves as a relaunch of The Strangers film series. The story follows Maya (Madelaine Petsch) and her boyfriend Ryan (Froy Gutierrez) as they embark on a road trip to celebrate their five-year anniversary. After getting lost, they find themselves in the eerie small town of Venus, Oregon, where the locals are unsettling, and their car breaks down. Forced to stay overnight at an Airbnb, the couple encounters three masked strangers—Scarecrow, Dollface, and Pin-Up Girl—who terrorize them in a relentless game of cat and mouse.
As the night progresses, the couple’s attempts to escape become increasingly desperate. After their motorcycle is destroyed, they hide in the house’s crawlspace and later in a shed, where Ryan finds a shotgun. However, their attempts to fight back lead to tragic consequences, including accidentally killing the Airbnb’s owner.
The terror culminates when the strangers capture Maya and Ryan, tying them up in the house for a final act of cruelty. In their last moments, Ryan proposes to Maya, but their brief moment of solace is shattered as Ryan is brutally killed. Maya, left for dead, miraculously survives the ordeal but awakens in a hospital to a chilling revelation: one of the masked strangers is lying next to her.
Special Effects
The special effects in The Strangers: Chapter 1 are used effectively to create an atmosphere of tension and dread. The film relies on practical effects and intense sound design to amplify the horror, with the masked strangers’ presence serving as a constant, unsettling threat.
Box Office Performance
The Strangers: Chapter 1 grossed $47.8 million worldwide, with $35.2 million coming from the United States and Canada. Despite negative reviews from critics, the film managed to draw audiences with its suspenseful premise and connection to the original Strangers series. It debuted at $12 million in its opening weekend, finishing third at the box office.
Filming Locations
- Bratislava, Slovakia
Notable Quotes
- “Because you’re here.” – The Strangers
- “There’s no escaping what’s coming.” – Maya
- “This night will never end.” – Ryan
Behind-the-Scenes
- The Strangers: Chapter 1 is the first of three films shot consecutively in Bratislava, Slovakia, over 52 days. Director Renny Harlin described the filming process as “the challenge of a lifetime,” often switching between the three chapters on the same day.
- The trilogy is a relaunch of the original Strangers series, with the intention of introducing new audiences to the terrifying world of the masked strangers.
- The film was produced by Lionsgate Films, Fifth Element Productions, and other collaborators, with the subsequent chapters expected to release later in 2024.
Final Verdict
The Strangers: Chapter 1 is a tense and terrifying entry into the horror genre, expanding on the unsettling atmosphere of its predecessors. While the film received mixed reviews, it delivers on the suspense and fear that fans of the series expect. The performances, particularly by Madelaine Petsch and Froy Gutierrez, add depth to the horror, making this film a chilling experience for horror fans.
IMDb Rating
4.6/10
Image Source: by John Armour/Lionsgate