The Review (Spoiler Free)
“The Strangers” (2018) marks a return to the home-invasion horror genre, a decade after the original film unsettled audiences with its stark portrayal of random violence. Directed by Johannes Roberts, this sequel, titled “The Strangers: Prey at Night,” stands out for its commitment to a chilling atmosphere and relentless pacing that grips the viewer from start to finish.
The film follows a family’s harrowing encounter with three masked assailants in a deserted trailer park, a setting that amplifies the sense of isolation and vulnerability. Unlike its predecessor, which was criticized for a lack of depth in its antagonists, “Prey at Night” offers no respite or explanation for the terror it unfolds, making it a more straightforward and effective horror experience.
Roberts’ direction is commendable, as he skillfully plays with light and shadow to create a visually oppressive exercise in terror. The use of an ’80s themed soundtrack not only adds a layer of nostalgia but also contrasts sharply with the on-screen violence, creating a dissonant and unsettling effect that lingers with the audience.
The performances, particularly by Bailee Madison and Lewis Pullman, who play the children, are solid, grounding the film with a human element amidst the chaos. Their portrayal of fear and desperation adds a layer of authenticity to the narrative, making the viewer’s experience all the more intense.
Critics have noted that “The Strangers: Prey at Night” fixes many of the problems of its predecessor, offering a sequel that is both better and more frightening. It’s a film that understands the core of what makes a horror movie effective: it’s not just about the jump scares, but the creeping dread that comes from the anticipation of them.
In conclusion, “The Strangers: Prey at Night” is a worthy successor to the 2008 original, delivering a horror experience that is both familiar and fresh. It’s a reminder of the genre’s power to tap into our primal fears, and it does so with a style and confidence that makes it stand out in the crowded field of modern horror films. For those who appreciate a well-crafted scare, this film is not to be missed.
Ending Explained (Spoiler Warning!)
In The Strangers – Prey At Night, these three masked serial killers are back. They appears to be some kind of family serial killers– a father, a mother, and a daughter. Unfortunately, we still don’t know who they are and why they are doing it.
There are many similarities between the original and the sequel. On both movies, the victims make the dumbest moves. The victims in both movies have access to a gun but they didn’t use it the right way.
But one thing that is different about the sequel is that these serial killers all die at the end. First one to die is the mother, who gets whacked by the golf club and stabbed by the knife at the swimming pool. Then the daughter gets killed by the shotgun. The father killer is tough one. He seems to be invincible where he survived from exploding truck and continue to chase after the victim. But he eventually gets whacked by the the bat and dies, or did he?
The brother and the sister of the family are the only ones who have survived. In the last scene, we see them in one of the hospital room where the brother is still in critical condition. At the end, she hears a scream outside of the room. She drops the cup that she was holding as if she knows exactly who is out there.
So who is outside the room? Perhaps, it’s the father killer who is able to survive from all those abuses? This might be plausible since he seems to be invincible. But than again, this is pretty much typical way to end a horror film.
In the Nutshell
The Stranger – Prey At Night is pretty much same as the original. If you like the original, you might enjoy this movie. [3 out of 5 stars]
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Genre: Slasher/Serial Killer
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