The Strangers: Chapter 1 is a 2024 American horror Movie, that marks the third installment in The Strangers film series and serves as the first part of a planned standalone trilogy. Directed by Renny Harlin and written by Alan R. Cohen and Alan Freedland, the film originates from a story by Bryan Bertino, who directed the first film.
The movie stars Madelaine Petsch and Froy Gutierrez as a couple who encounter three psychopathic masked strangers during a road trip. Gabriel Basso and Ema Horvath also play significant roles in the film.
“The Strangers: Chapter 1,” directed by Renny Harlin, tries to bring back the scary feel of the original movie but doesn’t quite succeed. Madelaine Petsch and Froy Gutierrez play Maya and Ryan, a couple who are frightened by masked strangers.
Their acting is good, but the story, although sometimes tense, is not as scary as the first film. Filming three movies at once was a big task, but it feels rushed and not well put together. There are some truly scary moments, but the movie is mostly predictable. Fans of the series might enjoy it, but it doesn’t match up to the older films.
The Strangers: Production Background
Announcement and Development
In August 2022, Roy Lee, the producer of the original film, announced plans for a new trilogy of Strangers films to be shot consecutively. Renny Harlin was confirmed as the director for all three films in the following month, with the main cast joining shortly after. Filming took place in Bratislava from September to November 2022, with the crew often alternating between shooting different chapters of the trilogy daily.
Filming Challenges
Harlin described the filming process as extremely challenging, with the need to maintain continuity in makeup, wardrobe, and cinematography while switching between different parts of the story. The goal was to create a visual narrative that grows more epic with each chapter, keeping the cast and crew constantly engaged and energized.
The Strangers: Plot Summary
Maya and her boyfriend Ryan are on a road trip to celebrate their five-year anniversary. They get lost and end up in a small town in Oregon called Venus. The locals are strange, and their car breaks down. Rudy, the town mechanic, agrees to fix their car the next morning, so they stay the night in an Airbnb.
A girl knocks on the door asking for someone named Tamara, but the couple says no. Ryan leaves to get his inhaler from the car, leaving Maya alone. While he’s gone, Maya is stalked by a masked figure named Scarecrow. The power goes out, and another masked stranger, Dollface, appears, scaring Maya.
Ryan returns, and they notice blood dripping from the ceiling. Scarecrow attacks them but leaves. They try to escape on a motorcycle, but Scarecrow blows it up. They hide in the house’s crawlspace and later find a shotgun in the shed.
Ryan accidentally shoots the Airbnb owner. They try to escape in his car but are hit by Scarecrow’s truck. Maya runs into the woods while Ryan gets stuck. Maya tries calling 911 but has no service. She finds a corpse and is knocked out by Dollface. Ryan is also knocked out by Scarecrow.
Both wake up tied to chairs. Ryan proposes to Maya, and she accepts. Ryan is then fatally stabbed, and Maya is also stabbed. The masked strangers leave as police sirens approach. Maya wakes up in a hospital, unaware that Scarecrow is lying next to her.
The Strangers: Cast
- Madelaine Petsch as Maya
- Froy Gutierrez as Ryan
- Rachel Shenton as Debbie
- Gabriel Basso as Gregory
- Ema Horvath as Shelly
- Ella Bruccoleri as Jasmine
- Richard Brake as Sheriff Rotter
- Joplin Sibtain as Billy Bufford
Production Details
The trilogy was produced by Lionsgate Films and others. The new films aim to tell a bigger story and expand the world of “The Strangers.” The films are set in the same universe as the original two movies.
Filming Challenges
Filming all three movies back-to-back in Bratislava was a challenge. The actors and crew had to keep track of continuity in makeup and wardrobe while switching between filming different chapters.
The Strangers: Release
“The Strangers: Chapter 1” premiered on May 8, 2024, and was released in theaters on May 17, 2024.
Box Office Performance
As of June 12, 2024, the film has made $39.2 million worldwide. It was expected to make $7-9 million in its opening weekend but exceeded expectations with a $12 million debut.
Critical Response
The film received negative reviews, with a 21% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a score of 43 on Metacritic. Audiences gave it a “C” grade on CinemaScore. Critics felt it lacked the suspense of the original film and was not as engaging.
The Strangers: Chapter 1 is a horror film that continues the story of masked strangers terrorizing a couple. Despite its box office success, it received mixed reviews for not capturing the same eerie tension as its predecessors.
