THE STRANGERS (2008)

Title: The Strangers (2008)

Director: Bryan Bertino
Actors: Liv Tyler, Scott Speedman
Length: 85 mins.








The opening sequence to this film tells you that it is based on a true story. It also tells you that all the details to the story are still not known to this day. And basically tells you what to expect for the next hour and a half.
You will see a couple terrorized for an hour. You will not find out why, because there appears to be no reason. You will not find out who the attackers were, because no one knows.
The problem with the movie is not with the two lead actors. Scott Speedman and Liv Tyler may not have shown a lot of dexterity in their young careers, but they know how to fill their characters with real emotion. Liv Tyler knows how to look at a man like she loves him, and she knows how appear frightened.
No, the problem with this film is that the movie is based on a true mystery. Mysteries are appealing because of the unknown truth. This is not Citizen Kane with a small offhand snippet to keep you engaged while the credits role. This is a film without any resolution.
It suffers from the same problem as did the original Hostel. There was no plot. People were randomly tortured for no other reason than it entertained the torturers.
So long as you not expect it to have a memorable conclusion, you can telegraph every big scene to come in this film.
It's not new, it's not shocking or rewarding. It's certainly not recommended.