Skip to main content

The Strangers: Chapter 1

 


The Strangers: Chapter 1 is either a remake or a prequel to the 2008 Bryan Bertino film The Strangers.

While Bryan Bertino still wrote the film, this time alongside Alan R. Cohen and Alan Freedland. Both of them are not known for horror and because of this, there were zero scares in this horror film. It had some tension but tension doesn't equate to horror. In the theater I was at, there were four laughs where it was supposed to be scary. This also might be because of B-movie director Renny Harlin who will probably go back to making B-movies from here on out. Sure The Strangers was supposed to be a trilogy but after audiences said no I doubt they'll make it to theaters. Some might argue Harlin directed Die Hard 2, but that was the worst Die Hard film.

Madelaine Petsch does an okay job acting but her face has had too much work done and something was off about her eyes, maybe it was the cinematography but her eyes looked soulless throughout the film. I tried looking up pictures of her on say the red carpet, but all of them have this doll-like quality to them. I'm sure she's a lovely person. Side note, calm down on the lip filler.

Nolan from Teen Wolf tries to branch out from TV to film but doesn't quite have the acting chops that Petsch has. He is written weak, with needing an inhaler all the time, which isn't his fault. He also has a hard time selling that he's the boyfriend of Petsch's character. Teen Wolf was in 2017, you've had seven years to improve and you're still at this level of acting.

The film was a disappointment and had many flaws. Result: C-


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Nobody 2 (2025)

Nobody 2 comes with a change in creative leadership, as Timo Tjahjanto takes over directing duties from Ilya Naishuller . The difference is noticeable, with the sequel lacking the same energy and spark that made the first film stand out. The script, written by Aaron Rabin , suffers from uneven pacing and tonal issues. While he avoids some of the pitfalls that bogged down his work on Marvel’s Secret Invasion , his late-game writing choices undercut the story’s tension and credibility. Bob Odenkirk once again commits to his role, doing the best he can with a weaker script. His physicality and dry delivery still make him a compelling lead, but the film doesn’t give him much new ground to cover. You'll remember Bob from Better Call Saul and Breaking Bad . Connie Nielsen is underwritten, with her character lacking individuality or meaningful development. She feels more like a placeholder than a partner to Odenkirk’s character, which is disappointing given her talent. You'll r...

Americana (2025)

Americana (2025) is written and directed by Tony Tost , best known for his work on Longmire . His approach here focuses more on character work than plot, with the script itself being serviceable but not remarkable. Still, it provides a strong platform for the cast to showcase their abilities. Sydney Sweeney delivers an impressive performance as a waitress with a stutter, bringing nuance and empathy to a role that could have easily felt one-note. It’s one of her more grounded performances and a highlight of the film. You'll remember Syd from her American Eagle commercial. Halsey is nearly unrecognizable in her role, playing with a fierceness that stands out and proves her versatility outside of music. Her presence commands attention whenever she’s on screen. I was first introduced to her from MGK 's music video Forget Me Too. Eric Dane takes on a villain role and succeeds at being thoroughly hate-able, leaning into his darker side effectively. His work gives the film muc...

Barbarian (2022)

  Barbarian is about a woman staying at an AirBnB and discovers that there is more to the house she has rented than what was expected. Written and Directed by Zach Cregger, Barbarian is the third film behind Miss March and The Civil War on Drugs. Both were forgettable and both were before Cregger knew really how to direct. This change is night and day, almost like how Ben Affleck made the switch over from doing Gili in 2003 to The Town in 2010. The writing is just shy of great. A great horror film will keep you wondering just how things will end. There certainly were moments I was wondering just how Cregger would end this film. There are some predictable scenes and certain directorial choices make you believe for a second that something else is happening entirely. There is one scene of exposition I despised and didn't help the storyline at all except pander to audiences that aren't intelligent. Georgina Campbell plays Tess, the main character. She is expressive and carries the ...