"The Strangers" is a chilling horror film that delves into the terrifying ordeal of a young couple, Kristen McKay (Liv Tyler) and James Hoyt (Scott Speedman), who find themselves under siege in a remote vacation home.
After returning from a wedding reception and expecting a quiet evening together, they are terrorized by three masked assailants whose motives remain eerily unclear. The film masterfully plays on the fear of the unknown, as the couple struggles to survive the night against seemingly random attackers.
Release Information
Release Date:
May 30, 2008
Duration:
85 minutes
Rating:
R (for violence/terror and language)
Country of Origin:
United States
Cast & Crew
Main Cast:
- Liv Tyler as Kristen McKay
- Scott Speedman as James Hoyt
Director:
Bryan Bertino
Writers:
Bryan Bertino
Where to Stream
United States (US)
There are currently no streaming offers in the US.
Buy/Rent: Choose from platforms like Apple TV, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Vudu, Microsoft Store, Redbox, DIRECTV, and AMC on Demand.
Australia (AU)
There are currently no streaming offers in the AU.
Buy/Rent: For those in Australia, you have options like Apple TV, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, Microsoft Store, YouTube, and Fetch TV.
United Kingdom (GB)
There are currently no streaming offers in the GB.
Buy/Rent: In the UK, you can buy or rent the movie on platforms such as Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Sky Store, Microsoft Store, YouTube, and Rakuten TV.
Germany (DE)
There are currently no streaming offers in the DE.
Streaming: For a thrilling experience, stream the movie on Home of Horror or the Home of Horror Amazon Channel.
Buy/Rent: In Germany, the movie is available on Apple TV, Amazon Video, Videobuster, MagentaTV, Google Play Movies, and YouTube.
Spain (ES)
There are currently no streaming offers in the ES.
Streaming: Dive into the movie on SkyShowtime.
Buy/Rent: For those in Spain, you can buy or rent the movie on Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Amazon Video.
France (FR)
There are currently no streaming offers in the FR.
Streaming: The French can enjoy the movie on Shadowz.
Buy/Rent: If you're in France, the movie is available on Apple TV and Bbox VOD.
Canada (CA)
There are currently no streaming offers in the CA.
Streaming: Canadians can stream the movie on the Shudder Amazon Channel and AMC+ Amazon Channel.
Buy/Rent: For purchase or rental options in Canada, you can choose from Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Cineplex, Microsoft Store, and YouTube.
Production Details
Production Company:
Vertigo Entertainment, Mandate Pictures
Distributor:
Rogue Pictures
Budget:
$9 million
Box Office Collection:
$82.4 million
Reception
Critical Reception:
"The Strangers" received mixed reviews upon its release. Critics praised the film's tense atmosphere, Liv Tyler's performance, and its effective use of suspense. The movie was often lauded for its realistic portrayal of home invasion, making it all the more terrifying. However, some critics felt that the film relied too heavily on genre clichés and lacked a deeper narrative.
Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times noted, "The movie works. It's frightening. Whether it's good is a different question." He went on to say that while the film was effective in its aim to scare, it lacked a moral or message.
Audience Reception:
Audiences, especially horror enthusiasts, were generally more receptive. Many viewers found the film's premise and execution genuinely unsettling, with particular praise for its minimalistic approach and the eerie performances of the masked antagonists. The film's tagline, "Because you were home," became particularly infamous, encapsulating the random and senseless nature of the terror depicted.
Awards & Nominations:
While "The Strangers" didn't sweep major award ceremonies, it did garner a few nominations in the horror film community. Notably, Liv Tyler was nominated for "Best Actress" at the Scream Awards, and the film itself was nominated for "Best Horror Movie" at the Teen Choice Awards.