‘The Strangers: Chapter 1’ (2024) Movie Review - A Predictable Spooky Ride

Maya and her boyfriend Ryan embark on an adventurous road trip across the country to celebrate their fifth anniversary. Their journey takes an unexpected turn when they lose their way and find themselves in the remote and eerie small town of Venus. As they navigate the unsettling atmosphere, they are further troubled when their car breaks down. Desperate for help, they find Rudy, the town’s only mechanic, who promises to fix their car but insists it will have to wait until the next morning. With no other options, Maya and Ryan are forced to stay the night in a nearby Airbnb.

That evening, as they try to settle into the strange and foreboding house, their peace is shattered by aggressive knocking at the door. A frantic girl stands outside, repeatedly asking for someone named Tamara. Confused and uneasy, Maya and Ryan tell her she has the wrong place. The girl leaves, but an unsettling feeling lingers.

Ryan realizes he left his inhaler in the car and decides to ride a borrowed motorcycle back into town to retrieve it. Alone in the house, Maya begins to feel a creeping sense of dread. Unbeknownst to her, a silent and menacing figure known as Scarecrow begins to stalk her from the shadows.

Suddenly, the power goes out, plunging the house into darkness. In the eerie silence, Maya is startled by the sudden appearance of Dollface, a sinister figure whose presence sends her into a panic. Maya hides, trying to remain silent and unseen. Who is this sinister figure?

Ryan returns to find Maya in a state of terror. He dismisses her fears as a product of the dark and creepy surroundings, considering it all a cruel prank. However, their dread intensifies when they notice blood dripping from the ceiling, discovering a gruesome sight: a dead chicken hanging from the chandelier, its lifeblood creating a macabre scene.

Before they can fully process the horror, Scarecrow launches a vicious attack. He chases them through the house but inexplicably halts his pursuit and disappears into the night. Seizing the moment, Maya and Ryan make a desperate run for the motorcycle, their only means of escape. Just as they think they might get away, Scarecrow reappears and blows up the motorcycle, leaving them stranded and at the mercy of the malevolent forces on Venus. Will this be the end of Maya and Ryan? Will Ryan be able to save Maya?

“The Strangers" aspires to deliver a spine-chilling experience but falls short in execution. While the plot is rich with potential, featuring a seemingly perfect setup for horror, its delivery ultimately disappoints.  Character development is another area where the film falters. The protagonists, meant to evoke empathy and fear for their plight, often come across as one-dimensional. Their reactions to the escalating danger sometimes seem implausible, diminishing the audience's emotional investment. The antagonists, though menacing in their anonymity and masked presence, lack the depth and psychological complexity that could have elevated them from mere figures of fear to unforgettable villains.

In conclusion, "The Strangers" is a film with a concept brimming with potential for a haunting and memorable horror experience. Unfortunately, its execution falls short, resulting in a movie that aims to terrify but instead delivers a largely forgettable experience. The disconnect between its ambitions and its realization leaves it struggling to leave a lasting impact on the horror genre.

Final Score- [5/10]
Reviewed by - Neerja Choudhuri
Follow @NeerjaCH on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times