The Strangers (2008)

Director:

Bryan Bertino

Writer (WGA):

Bryan Bertino (written by)

Release Date:

30 May 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

Lock the door. Pretend you're safe.

Plot:

A young couple staying in an isolated vacation home are terrorized by three unknown assailants.

Plot Keywords:

Stranger | Mask | Wedding Reception | Invasion | Execution

Awards:

2 wins & 7 nominations

Cast

Liv Tyler	...	Kristen McKay
Scott Speedman	...	James Hoyt
Glenn Howerton	...	Mike
Gemma Ward	...	Dollface
Kip Weeks	...	Man in the Mask
Laura Margolis	...	Pin-Up Girl
Alex Fisher	...	Mormon Boy #1
Peter Clayton-Luce	...	Mormon Boy #2
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jordan Del Spina	...	Jordan - 911 caller (voice) (uncredited)

Directed by
Bryan Bertino

Writing credits (WGA)
Bryan Bertino		(written by)

Produced by
Thomas J. Busch	....	co-producer
Doug Davison	....	producer
Joseph Drake	....	executive producer
Marc D. Evans	....	executive producer
Nathan Kahane	....	producer
Kelli Konop	....	executive producer
Roy Lee	....	producer
Trevor Macy	....	executive producer
Sonny Mallhi	....	executive producer

Original Music by
tomandandy

Cinematography by
Peter Sova		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Kevin Greutert

Casting by
Lindsey Hayes Kroeger
Tracy Kilpatrick
David Rapaport

Production Design by
John D. Kretschmer

Art Direction by
Linwood Taylor

Set Decoration by
Missy Berent

Costume Design by
Susan Kaufmann

Makeup Department
Coni Andress	....	head of hair department
Wendy Bell	....	makeup department head
Jennifer Santiago	....	key hair stylist
Vincent Schicchi	....	key makeup & prosthetics
Leigh Ann Yandle	....	assistant makeup artist

Production Management
Thomas J. Busch	....	unit production manager
Jason Leib	....	post-production supervisor
Tom Nicoll	....	production supervisor
Andrew Rona	....	executive in charge of production

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Linda Brachman	....	first assistant director
Nicole Feder	....	dga trainee
Tim Fitzgerald	....	second second assistant director (as David T. Fitzgerald)
Rudy A. Persico	....	second assistant director

Art Department
Jerry Adderton	....	set dresser
Gillian V. Albinski	....	property master
Daniele Auber	....	storyboard artist
John B. Clarey III	....	carpenter
Danielle Couture	....	buyer
Joshua L. Ellsworth	....	propmaker
Craig Gilmore	....	storyboard artist
Geoffrey S. Grimsman	....	set designer
Chris Holcombe	....	leadman
Doug Kelehan	....	set dresser
Stephanie Macomber Kern	....	scenic
Dim McRemnant	....	graphic artist
Kelly Rubottom	....	assistant property master
Jeffrey Schlatter	....	construction coordinator
Deanna Tilley	....	art dayplayer
Helen Williams Ward	....	storyboard artist
Luci Wilson	....	prop assistant
Andre Hyland	....	mask assistant (uncredited)
Steve A. Stephenson	....	carpenter (uncredited)

Sound Department
Jeffree Bloomer	....	production sound mixer
Gary A. Hecker	....	supervising foley artist
Scott Hecker	....	supervising sound editor (as Scott A. Hecker)
Albert Hedgepeth	....	second boom operator
Rick Hromadka	....	sound effects editor
Marti D. Humphrey	....	sound re-recording mixer
Chris M. Jacobson	....	sound re-recording mixer
Cliff Latimer	....	sound editor
Derek Pippert	....	foley editor
Philip Rogers	....	adr recordist
Jeff Rosen	....	dialogue/adr supervisor
Roy Seeger	....	first assistant sound editor (as R.W. Seeger)
Brad Semenoff	....	assistant sound re-recording mixer

Special Effects by
David Beavis	....	special effects technician
David Hill	....	special effects foreman
Michael J. Hudson	....	special effects technician
William Purcell	....	special effects coordinator (as Will Purcell)
Susan Beavis	....	special effects buyer (uncredited)

Visual Effects by
Ozzie Carmona	....	digital compositor
Michael Degtjarewsky	....	digital compositor
Mark Freund	....	visual effects supervisor
Maureen Healy	....	digital compositor
Phillip Hoffman	....	visual effects coordinator
Bill Holloway	....	digital compositor
Patrick Keenan	....	digital compositor
Erin L. Nelson	....	digital restoration
Jim O'Hagan	....	digital compositor: Pacific Title
Bob Poirier	....	visual effects associate producer
Tristan Rayos	....	digital I/O
Jon Stern	....	visual effects producer
Wilson Tang	....	digital restoration

Stunts
Cal Johnson	....	stunt coordinator
Cal Johnson	....	stunt double: Glenn Howerton

Camera and Electrical Department
Hugh Braselton	....	camera operator: "b" camera
Hugh Braselton	....	second assistant camera
Rick Crank	....	lighting technician
Catherine Cravens	....	electrician
Lee Donaldson	....	grip
Brian Gunter	....	gaffer
Daniel R. Haizlip	....	best boy grip
Geoff Herbert	....	dolly grip
W.C. 'Chunky' Huse	....	key grip
Tony Jenzano	....	video assist
Gary Johnson	....	second assistant camera
Brian Johnston	....	rigging electrician
Roy Knauf	....	additional assistant camera
Frank McGough	....	dimmer board operator
David Morenz	....	first assistant camera
Terry O'Deen	....	rigging gaffer
Harrison Palmer	....	electrician
Doug Robinson	....	electrician
James Selph	....	dolly grip: "b" camera
Steve A. Stephenson	....	rigging grip
Jeff Sterner	....	electrician
Brian Sullivan	....	camera operator
John R. Sutton	....	rigging key grip
Mike Torino	....	film loader
German Valle	....	rigging electrician
Glenn Watson	....	still photographer

Casting Department
Maxann Crotts	....	casting: stand-ins
Caitlin McKenna-Wilkinson	....	adr voice casting

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Catherine A. Abreo	....	set costumer
Emmie Holmes	....	wardrobe production assistant
Laura Kaminski	....	wardrobe production assistant
Janet Melody	....	tailor
Stephen K. Randolph	....	costume supervisor

Editorial Department
Tony Bacigalupi	....	assistant editor
Zack Howard	....	post-production assistant
Trent Johnson	....	supervising digital colorist
Kim Roseborough	....	assistant editor
Akkara Srauy	....	post-production assistant
Everette Webber	....	digital intermediate editor (uncredited)

Music Department
Christine Bergren	....	music legal and clearances
Michael Brake	....	music editor
Todd Brodie	....	engineer
Peter Fuchs	....	music scoring engineer
Peter Fuchs	....	recording engineer
Maarten Hofmeijer	....	music editor
Season Kent	....	music supervisor
Dwight Mikkelsen	....	orchestrator
Sheri Ozeki	....	music editor
Lee Scott	....	music editor: temp music
Andrew Silver	....	music editor
Jamie Steele	....	assistant to composers
Jamie Steele	....	score mixer
Paul Talkington	....	orchestra contractor
tomandandy	....	score producer
Allan Wilson	....	conductor
Allan Wilson	....	copyist

Transportation Department
Christie Chaplin	....	driver
Lee Siler	....	transportation coordinator
Scott Siler	....	transportation captain

Other crew
Pamela Alessandrelli	....	assistant production coordinator
Kimberly Bishop	....	assistant location manager
Susan J. Bonno-Buckner	....	first assistant accountant
Jen Brett	....	production assistant
Jennifer D. Corley	....	production assistant
Betsy Custer	....	production executive
Genevieve Darr	....	production assistant
Ashleigh Falls	....	set production assistant
Randy Gardner	....	production assistant
Alex Heineman	....	production executive
Pam Holdridge	....	production coordinator
Renee Kitterman	....	second assistant accountant
Ashley Kravitz	....	clearances
Robert Labrecque	....	production accountant
Karen Love	....	Ms. Tyler's chef
Brandon Lyles	....	accounting clerk
Jack Munn	....	key medic
Craig Newkirk	....	animal trainer
Oak Porcelli	....	stand-in
Steve Rhea	....	location manager
Judy Richter	....	consultant
Alicia Rudd	....	animal trainer
Kho Wong	....	assistant: Mr Mallhi
Tracey Zemitis	....	unit publicist

Thanks
Elizabeth Rowin	....	thanks

Production Companies

• Rogue Pictures (presents)
• Intrepid Pictures (presents)
• Vertigo Entertainment
• Mandate Pictures

Distributors

• Cascade Film (2008) (Russia) (theatrical)
• Distribution Company (2008) (Argentina) (theatrical)
• Frenetic Films (2008) (Switzerland) (theatrical)
• Odeon (2008) (Greece) (theatrical)
• Presidio (2009) (Japan) (theatrical)
• RCV Film Distribution (2008) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• Rogue Pictures (2008) (USA) (theatrical)
• Sandrew Metronome Distribution (2008) (Finland) (theatrical)
• Shaw Organisation (2008) (Singapore) (theatrical)
• Universal Pictures (2008) (USA) (theatrical)
• Bazuca Films (2008) (Chile) (all media)
• Blue Sky Media (2008) (Czech Republic) (all media)
• Gativideo (2009) (Argentina) (DVD)
• Kinowelt Home Entertainment (2009) (Germany) (DVD)
• RCV Home Entertainment (2008) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Sandrew Metronome Distribution (2009) (Finland) (DVD) (blu-ray)
• Universal Studios Home Entertainment (2008) (USA) (DVD)
• Universal Studios Home Entertainment (2008) (USA) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• fX Network (2010) (USA) (TV)

Special Effects

• Pacific Title and Art Studio (visual effects)

Other Companies

• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  dollies
• Cut Music  additional music editorial
• Dolby Laboratories  sound post-production
• Dub Stage, The  sound re-recording
• High Output  dollies
• Lakeshore Records  soundtrack
• Murphy PR  publicity
• Pacific Title  main and end titles
• Panavision  cameras and lenses
• Pictorvision  aerial camera system
• Pivotal Post  Avid editing equipment provided by
• Radio Bratislava Symphony Orchestra  score performed by (as the Bratislava Symphony Orchestra)
• Soundtrack  ADR Facility
• Technicolor Digital Intermediates  digital intermediate
• Technicolor Digital Intermediates  opticals
• Universal Studios Sound Facilities  adr recorded at (as Universal Studios)

Also Known As:

The Faces (USA) (original script title)

MPAA:

Rated R for violence/terror and language.

Runtime:

86 min | 88 min (unrated version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

UK:15 | USA:R (certificate #43588) | Canada:14+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Canada:18A | Australia:MA | Singapore:NC-16 | South Korea:15 | Netherlands:16 | Ireland:16 | Finland:K-15 | Malaysia:U | New Zealand:R16 | Hong Kong:IIB | Argentina:16 | Philippines:R-13 (MTRCB) | Norway:15 | Italy:VM14 | Peru:14 | Germany:18 | Japan:R | France:U (with warning) | Spain:18 | Portugal:M/16

Filming Locations:

Florence, South Carolina, USA

Company:

Rogue Pictures

Trivia:

Many theaters across the United States was sent faulty reels of the movie, containing sound problems, which made a few minutes to several scenes of the movie filled with nothing but static. Most movie-watchers don't even realize the sound was a problem, since the dark overtone and loud background music at some areas make the static seem like part of the movie.

Goofs:

Incorrectly regarded as goofs: When the Man in the Mask knocks Kristen out and drags her through the hallway, she is wearing the plaid shirt and jeans she changed into earlier in the movie. In the next scene, when she and James are tied to the dining room chairs, she is wearing the dress she wore in the very beginning of the movie. Several hours have passed, so the strangers could have changed her back into the dress.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Narrator: What you are about to see is inspired by true events. According to the FBI, there are an estimated 1.4 million violent crimes in America each year. On the night of February 11, 2005, Kristen McKay and James Hoyt left a friend's wedding reception and returned to the Hoyt family's summer home. The brutal events that took place there are still not entirely known.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "20 to 1: Sizzling Superstars (#8.15)" (2009)

Soundtrack:

Ariel Ramirez

'Inspired' not 'Based' - Learn this before viewing. First Review.

First off, let's start with a note. It was 'inspired' not 'based' off true events. People need to learn the difference between the two. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is 'inspired' by true events, but still people believe it really happened. It never happened... it was inspired by the story of the serial killer Ed Gein who would take body parts off of women and make furniture out of them, and other forms of cruelty.The Strangers was 'inspired' by true events which means they probably took similarities from stories of The Manson killings and other killings of the same sort. So really the director had free range to do whatever the hell he wanted at the end, and I believe he failed.

I heard about this movie a long time ago and was so excited that it was finally being released that I saw it at the first midnight showing. At first, I was enjoying the set, costumes, and I believe the acting was pretty well done. I believe the director achieved a very creepy feeling, but too many times did he use to obvious cop-out of making loud noises to 'startle' the viewer instead of genuinely 'scaring' them. The site bloody-disgusting.com made an excellent article describing the differences between these.

In the end, I remember about two scenes and the rest is a vague blur. The scene with Glenn Howerton (of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia! fame. Woot!) was probably one of the most tense and unsettling scenes of the film. The other being the portion where the record is skipping.

This movie is a strong example of anti-climactic. The ending was a cliché. I won't give it away but I will say that it did not leave me feeling disturbed nor did it leave me with a sense of accomplishment. Two things I look for in an ending to the flood of "home-invasion" horror flicks. I believe two recent films do a great job of accomplishing these factors. The recent VACANCY and FUNNY GAMES are leaps and bounds greater than this film. They do a much greater job of making the protagonists feel helpless and I strongly suggest both of them.

Hopefully, I could help some. I know many will disagree with me, but quite honestly that's fine. Many of today's moviegoers enjoy paying $10 to jump out of their seat because someone's face appears in a window or a sound guy hits a wall really loud. It's the sad truth and Hollywood banks on crap like that. So it isn't going to end anytime soon.

Thanks, Alex