The Strangers: Chapter 1 Movie Review : Tired tropes and weak characters

Story: A quiet evening turns into a nightmare for a young couple when three masked assailants assault them in a remote cabin.

Review: The latest instalment in the franchise, “The Strangers: Chapter 1,” embarks on an ambitious journey as the first of a new trilogy. Directed by Renny Harlin, known for action hits like “Die Hard 2” and “Cliffhanger” this film intends to rekindle the eerie atmosphere of the 2008 original while setting the stage for its sequels. The setup is reminiscent of the original movie, emphasising isolation and the randomness of violence. It follows lovebirds Maya (Madelaine Petsch) and Ryan (Froy Gutierrez) on a cross-country road trip. Their journey turns sinister when their car breaks down in a small town, forcing them to spend the night at a secluded Airbnb. Here, they become the prey of three masked killers—Scarecrow, Dollface, and Pin-Up Girl—who terrorise them with increasing brutality.

While “Chapter 1” mirrors the original's premise, it fails to capture the same tension and suspense. Though competent in crafting individual moments of horror, Harlin's direction often feels disjointed. The initial buildup, involving encounters with creepy locals and the ominous cabin, is overly prolonged, diluting the sense of imminent danger that made the original so gripping. The film's pacing is a significant issue. Much of the runtime is spent on repetitive and predictable scares, with the masked antagonists engaging in tepid harassment tactics before escalating to more violent encounters. This repetition, combined with a lacklustre script, leads to a drawn-out narrative that struggles to maintain interest. Petsch and Gutierrez deliver adequate performances, but their characters lack depth and chemistry. Their relationship feels underdeveloped, which undermines the emotional stakes of their ordeal. This deficiency is due to the script, which opts for cliched character traits over genuine development. Ryan's hot-headedness and Maya's vegetarianism are played for stereotypical contrast rather than adding meaningful layers to their personalities. True to horror tropes – they make a series of questionable choices.

Occasionally, Harlin utilises the remote setting to create an unsettling atmosphere, such as a tense shower sequence and a claustrophobic crawlspace confrontation. However, these are sparse and often overshadowed by the film's reliance on familiar horror tropes and predictable jump scares. “The Strangers: Chapter 1” ultimately feels like an overstretched introduction, lacking the originality and intensity of its predecessor. The film dilutes the primal fear that made the original a cult classic by attempting to extend a simple story into a trilogy. While it holds some promise for future instalments, this first chapter leaves much to be desired, struggling to justify its place. For fans of the original, “Chapter 1” may offer some nostalgic value, but it largely comes across as a redundant exercise.