“The Strangers” (2008) and “Strangers: Prey at Night” (2018) are solid horror films that almost brought the old Jason potato-sack mask and the Drew Barrymore mask to iconic status. (They’re officially known as the Man in the Mask and Dollface, and their murderous trio is rounded out by Pin-Up Girl.)
The first film made a splash with its creepy idea that the killers target a couple merely because “they were home,” and the sequel provided catharsis after the dismal events of the original.
A third film in this chronology was maybe possible, maybe not, after “Prey at Night.” But the rights-holders decided to go with a reboot for “The Strangers: Chapter 1,” a project that veteran director Renny Harlin and his team have had a hard time explaining to fans. Even in this day and age, a reboot 16 years after the original and six years after the sequel is pretty fast.
“The Strangers: Chapter 1” (2024)
Director: Renny Harlin
Writers: Alan R. Cohen, Alan Freedland (screenplay); Bryan Bertino (story)
Stars: Madelaine Petsch, Froy Gutierrez, Ben Cartwright
But that decision has been made, so now we judge the film on its merits. Harlin got on the map with 1988’s “A Nightmare on Elm Street 4,” then was a major director in the 1990s (“Die Hard 2,” “Cliffhanger,” “The Long Kiss Goodnight,” “Deep Blue Sea”), then settled into TV.
Harlin returns to his roots
Now he’s back to his roots, and he hasn’t forgotten how to create generic scares. As a loving couple (Madelaine Petsch’s Maya and Froy Gutierrez’s Ryan) – a contrast to the estranged pair in the original — stay at a cabin in the woods, Harlin sometimes riffs on scenes from the 2008 movie.
The screenplay by Alan R. Cohen and Alan Freedland uses the same general plot as the original by Bryan Bertino, but it expands the canvas at times. “Chapter 1” is actually more logical, because this hunting cabin in the Oregon woods is five miles from the neighbors, whereas in the 2008 film, there are closer surrounding houses, which almost doesn’t jibe. (Granted, those events are in the middle of the night, these events are in the late evening.)
Everyone from “Riverdale” is at a point in their careers where they have to prove that, despite that show, they are good actors. Petsch proves it here, and along with Harlin and the writers, she’s all in for this new trilogy, serving as a producer. “Chapter 2” and “Chapter 3” are in post-production and scheduled to come out next year.
The most appropriate grade for “Chapter 1” is “incomplete,” but at least they didn’t do a “to be continued” without the continuation being guaranteed. The first two-thirds of the film are the best, as Maya and Ryan find themselves in “The Strangers” Meets “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.”
Folks in Venus, Ore., are odd at best, unwelcoming at worst. Ryan at least realizes he’s in a horror movie when, after a stop at the town’s only diner, their car won’t start. The mechanics happen to be next door. He accuses them of sabotaging his car, and while it’s not ideal to create enemies, it probably doesn’t matter when you’re in a horror movie.
When you’re in a ‘Strangers’ movie, it’s what you do
Although I could easily hear an exchange like in that Geico commercial – “Why can’t we get in the running car?” “Are you crazy? Let’s hide behind the chainsaws” – this couple isn’t beyond-the-pale stupid. The trio of killers simply has them at a disadvantage, and that might be scary for people who’ve never seen the original.
For those who have, it’s rather disappointing that the point of “Chapter 1” is again killers who have no motive except that this is their idea of fun. A final act where we learn more nuanced motivations of the Man in the Mask, Dollface and Pin-up Girl would’ve been satisfying, but instead “Chapter 1” feels more like a remake than ever by the end.
But in “Chapter 2” I expect we will learn more about the trio and perhaps other “Strangers” trappings such as the religious boys handing out fliers. Spreading this out over three films isn’t the worst financial plan. When even mildly successful, horror films make money, so making three at once could hit the jackpot. As a storytelling plan, it’s strange but not untenable, since the films are coming out in quick succession.
While far from the most necessary horror film of 2024, “The Strangers: Chapter 1” also isn’t the worst. I won’t trip over a rock and sprain my ankle to get to “Chapter 2,” but I’ll likely watch it.