BEETLE'S RETRO REVIEW OF THE STRANGERS

Hey there Beetle-heads and welcome to my first ever RETRO REVIEW.

Here's how it works: A retro review could be of a film that came out a year ago or even 40 years ago. Today the review at hand is the contemporary horror classic: THE STRANGERS. So, let's get this puppy rollin.

The Strangers stars Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman as Kristen Mckay and James Hoyt (a couple of lovebirds) that after a long day retire to James' family's summer home. However, it doesn't take long before a knock at the door sends the couple spiraling down deeper and deeper into a world of terror that there is seemingly no escape from.

The film is incredibly well-paced and takes it's time establishing itself and setting the mood before it delves into some serious territory. Every scare and startle in this film is real. It doesn't pull any punches and is one of the rare horror films that refuses to cheat or trick it's audience.

The main thing I LOVE about this film is that; unlike newer horror films; it doesn't rely on heavy violence or copious amounts of blood and gore to induce a scare, instead The Strangers uses extreme amounts of suspense and tension to get you to grasp your chair tighter and release a few yelps.

I've seen this film a total of 3 times and my reaction has always been the same. It seems to just get better with repeated viewings. The "Strangers" of the title are spooky, ghost-like people that wear masks and like to toy with their victims before they decide to finish them off (will Krisyen and James survive?), relishing in the terror they create and savoring the look on their victims faces as they kill them. Their sick puppies, to put it politely.

Overall The Strangers is a brilliantly executed masterpiece of pure terror. It's my personal favorite horror film to come out the last few years. If you're looking for genuine scares, terror, and a great simplistic plot then The Strangers is the film for you.

BETTER THAN SEX- 5 STARS