The Strangers: Prey at Night

The Strangers: Prey at Night is the follow up to the 2008 film The Strangers. The premise is pretty much the same except it's at a mobile home park and it's a family of four.

Bryan Bertino did the original and wrote this follow up's screenplay. The dialogue and structure of the film is very 80s horror and throws in a lot of tropes that audiences have come to expect. It's formulaic and predictable if you're an adult. This film is rated R but for some reason, the kills that were used throughout the film were generally muted. Sure there's blood but I left the theater thinking that I saw a PG-13 film.

Johannes Roberts has improved since doing 47 meters down. Don't ask me why that film got a sequel. This man loves his horror films and it shows. There are some camera and editing problems but nothing too major. He used the zoom function of the camera so much in the film. There are parts where I could see intent on how he chose the shot and then others seem random. Randomness is a theme to the film so I suppose there's a connection there.

I wish there was more Christina Hendricks, not just because she was in one of my favorite movies of all time, Drive, but because she can act really well and I felt she was just briefly in the film even though she's credited first.

Daughter of Christina Hendricks was the wonderful Bailee Madison who you'll recognize from the television show Good Witch or The Fosters. I believe, maybe foolishly, but I believe that there was intent on how Kinsey emoted at the beginning of the film. I suppose I should say lack thereof. There is a bigger character arc if at the beginning there are little expressions on an actress's face so that when there's horror there's a drastic change in how the audience sees her. She nails the horror queen, Laurie Strode, scream, and whimpering.

The bigger problems with the acting come from the two males in the film. They were stereotypic with underdeveloped characters and poorly written excuses to separate the family from each other. The choices they make are a roller coaster of fickleness.

I disagree with some of the critics on just how bad of a film most believe it was. It's not that bad. Sure the final scenes are an eye roller and the first ten minutes aren't all that interesting, but I enjoyed the hunt and horror the rest of the film provided. I didn't like it as much as the first but I think Bailee Madison carried the film pretty well.

Result: C (The Ritual is a better choice and you don't have to leave home to watch that horror film.)

Comments

Wuthering Heights (2026)

Wuthering Heights is directed by Emerald Fennell , known for Promising Young Woman and Saltburn , and opens with a striking image that immediately signals this will not be a conventional adaptation of the classic novel. The film remains faithful to several of the book's narrative choices, particularly in how it lingers on the characters' early years before fully embracing the central tragedy. While this approach accurately reflects the source material, the pacing occasionally suffers, with several montages and extended childhood sequences lasting longer than necessary. One element that works especially well is the portrayal of Catherine and Heathcliff's adoptive father, whose volatile temper contrasts sharply with the affection he shows the two children, echoing one of the novel's stronger character dynamics. Margot Robbie , known for Barbie and I, Tonya , delivers one of the strongest performances of her career as Catherine. She captures the character's passio...

Citizen Vigilante (2026)

Citizen Vigilante is written and directed by Uwe Boll , a filmmaker whose work has always been divisive, and this film continues that trend. The movie tackles issues surrounding immigration, social tensions, and public frustration, themes that have been prominent throughout the decade. Surprisingly, the film often approaches these subjects from a perspective that many viewers may not expect from a major studio release. While the political themes are front and center, the larger issue is that the writing struggles to make the world and its characters feel believable. Conversations often lack the natural reactions people would have in real life, particularly younger characters who accept lectures and speeches with very little resistance or personality. Armie Hammer , known for The Social Network and The Man from U.N.C.L.E. , plays the vigilante and spends much of the film using a gravelly, Batman-inspired voice. He commits fully to the role, and his physical presence works well for th...

The Bride! (2026)

The Bride is written and directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal , whose previous directorial effort, The Lost Daughter , received significant critical praise. Here, however, the film immediately establishes a tone that may divide audiences. Its themes of female empowerment and identity are presented very directly, and the opening moments in particular feel more interested in making statements than introducing characters. The dialogue often aims for poetic or literary weight, but much of it comes across as overly self-conscious, making scenes difficult to follow and preventing emotional moments from landing naturally. Jessie Buckley , known for Hamnet and The Lost Daughter , gives a committed performance despite the material. She fully embraces the physicality and eccentricities of the character, including some of the more exaggerated mannerisms and vocal choices. While those creative decisions may not work for every viewer, Buckley clearly commits to them. Her talent is evident throughout, e...

Movies, Film, and Chili

Search This Blog