Chapter 1: The Same Killer Story.
The question asked in “The Strangers” from 2008 was: “Why are you doing this?”
The answer: “Because you were home.”
They didn’t need a specific reason; just people to murder.
It was the horror movie when Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman were attacked by two women wearing masks and a man wearing a bag. It also spawned a sequel a decade later, which I skipped, and a new series, which is divided into three chapters. A trilogy, if you will. So far, we’re not off to a good start, as it basically follows the same rules as before. You hope the film will alter or do something different, and there are only a few things. The rest has to be by the books.
“The Strangers: Chapter 1” introduces us to a couple taking a cross country trip for their 5-year dating anniversary and for a potential job interview. Their names are Maya (Madeleine Petsch from “Riverdale”) and Ryan (Troy Gutierrez from “Teen Wolf” and “Hocus Pocus 2”). The movie takes place in the woods in Venus, Oregon, where the couple stop at a diner for lunch with people looking at them like they’re outsiders. Or they could be potential victims. I think it’s the second choice.
Their car unexpectedly breaks down, but they’re offered a stay at an AirBnB for the night. They’re then visited by a girl whose face you can’t see because it’s so dark out, and I suppose her face is supposed to be anonymous. Or it could be she’s one of the masked killers (consisting of the Man in the Mask, Pin-Up Girl, and Dollface), who all threaten this happy couple. I think we all know the answer.
Petsch gives a likable performance in representing her character’s naiveness and how she would make better choices than stupid horror movie characters. And by “naiveness,” I mean she didn’t listen to Ryan’s judgement, when he knew something was wrong with the people they were just visiting at the diner. I don’t even think she watches horror movies, so how could see not read between the lines?
But what are we really missing here? Axes, knives, guns, blood, and record players. The obligatory tools of the franchise. A few months ago, in anticipation of “The Strangers: Chapter 1,” I came across a small film from 2008 called “Baghead,” which was made by the Duplass brothers and featured Greta Gerwig in one of her earlier roles. It was released after “The Strangers,” and I believe there were some comparisons to that film, especially if people were in a cabin in the woods fearing a man with a bag on his head. I liked it for its interesting set-up and for its passion for independent filmmaking. If you haven’t heard of that film, I suggest you give that a look.
This movie was directed by Renny Harlin, the man behind “Die Hard 2,” “Cliffhanger,” and “Deep Blue Sea,” and I think he can do a better job than what was presented here. Will “Chapter 2” or “Chapter 3” be better than this? I’m actually interested to see where it will go. Or it could feature the same formulas. I really hope I’m wrong about that.