In 2008 writer/director Bryan Bertino gave the Horror Nation a modern classic with his fantastic suspense filled film, The Strangers. Carried by terrific performances from Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman, the creepy thrill ride became a box office smash hit while also garnering a cult following. Ten years later, Bertino penned a worthy sequel with Johannes Roberts taking over directing duties. Cries for more Strangers echoed through the chat rooms of horror fans. The pleas were finally answered with the announcement that a three-film series was being produced. With iconic Hollywood director Renny Harlin (A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master) helming the new terror trilogy, horror hopes will be high for more sensational sinister Strangers!
Maya and her long-term boyfriend Ryan are on the last leg of their cross-country road trip for an amazing job opportunity for her. Three hours away from their destination, the couple decides to stop for a bite to eat in Venus, Oregon. Venus is located to the left of the middle of nowhere. After an uncomfortable lunch with the locals, the couple attempts to make haste out of town. Unfortunately, their car does not cooperate, and the unlucky duo is forced to stay at a rental cabin for the night. After a series of odd occurrences along with a brief visit from an unwelcome guest, Maya and Ryan suspect that they are being pranked. Suspicion turns to a more horrifying truth. They are being hunted. A life and death game of cat and mouse begins as the couple fight against three adversaries that are stalking their prey on familiar home turf.
Early news on the production had fans confused, they will leave the theater much more confused after watching this dumpster fire of a film. Harlin gave tidbits about the opening film in the trilogy being a prequel and that viewers would get to know how The Strangers came to be. Not only is there not an inkling of background story, but the jumbled narrative blatantly shows technology along with lingo that was not present in 2008. This is just one of several amateur errors that come from an abysmal script from cowriters Aland R. Cohen and Alan Freedland. Tyler and Speedman were superb in the original with tremendous empathetic performances which kept audiences glued to the screen. Petsch and Gutierrez are so annoying, that audiences will be cheering their demise with unbridled passion. Petsch’s overacting during chase scenes is borderline laughable, while Gutierrez is lame in attempt to portray a tough guy ready to do battle.
Across the board, nothing can be slightly forgiven, but Harlin must shoulder the brunt of this disastrous effort. The film was shot in conjunction with the second chapter, which may be the slightest of excuses to why the entire narrative is a jumbled mess. There is not a hint of tension, unease, nor dramatic tone throughout this snoozefest. Even the scenes that Harlin mimicked from the original are bland. The expected ending is shot so blandly that the viewer will have a tough time keeping their already worn-out eyes open. The Strangers: Chapter One is a horrendous display of horror filmmaking, which disrespects the franchise and was completely unnecessary.
Scream Score: 4/10