Los extraños

I'll start off by saying that reading through the reviews *before* watching the movie will almost definitely influence your opinion of the movie even while watching it. The movie is by no means a perfect one. But it has good moments, keeps you interested, has a surprise ending (some might not like that). The plot holes are glaring and I can see why people can be mad at that. But they are not something many people who watch with a suspension of belief, will be bothered by. The pacing is quite good, quality is good and acting is good. Storyline itself has its ups and downs like the movie itself.

I watched it out of curiosity because my dad left when I was young and never tried to contact me. After I had a son I wondered what would drive a parent to just disappear. Really cold. I would move mountains to see my son. I would move to differant countries just to be near him. Anyway, back on track...I never felt the way these kids did. I just never gave my dad a thought. A lot of complaints have been made about the ending but I could not have thought of a better one. I took two seconds, waited for the movie to resume, then burst out laughing. As comical as it was, it was so ironic that the ending itself deserves 10 stars. Though the movie is slightly predictable, it was worth the watch just to see the ending.

The Strays isn't a movie that's going to leave you feeling good once it ends. It will require you to put aside your desires for a story that is clean, easy to follow and wraps up with a pretty bow. Most people, especially those of a "certain persuasion" are not going to like this movie because: A - They can't understand where it's coming from and never will be able to or B - They feel like it's racist which it is not

You'll just have to judge for yourself if it's worth watching. I can guarantee that you'll either love it or you'll hate it. I thought it was great. The young lady that played Dione needs to be in more movies.

It is one of those movies that leaves you confused, like a David Lynch film. It was disturbing in many ways and what a lot of people criticised as bad acting was, for me, intentional. Neve's reactions are purposely out of touch with reality and a lot is left for the viewer to guess, again, on purpose, as it all adds to the uncomfortable feeling the viewer is meant to feel. It is a psychological drama and in that respect has achieved its goal. I found it to be very disturbing to watch, because it touches on certain subjects that are real and frightening. It was everything but boring and I think that those who perceived it as such have misunderstood the feelings it was meant to convey.

I think the confusion about this flick is that it's actually supposed to be the way it is.

I experienced a weird feeling watching it.

The main character is so constantly flustered by by her own perceptions of what should be versus what isn't versus internal guilt and manifested external rage...that it's actually remarkably crafty how indiscreet the acting is. If this makes sense.

That being said, I don't think it quiets get there and there are some farcical extended moments of doldrum that keep it from being a really good film.

I watched it to the end to see what happens and there is closure, so in my books the story was told. It is sort of creepy, more a thriller than anything else.