The Strangers: Prey at Night

FILM: 5.5 As I settled in for my first watch of The Strangers: Prey at Night, I couldn't help but think of its predecessor, a nerve-wracking journey into terror that gripped audiences with its slow-burning intensity. With such a solid foundation, a sequel seemed inevitable, yet it took a decade to materialise-a delay that left me wondering if it would live up to expectations.

Unfortunately, my anticipation was met with disappointment. The film feels like a missed opportunity, failing to recapture the tension and suspense of the original. Instead, it relies on tired horror tropes, with characters devolving into predictable brainless stereotypes once the violence begins.

While Christina Hendricks and Martin Henderson deliver solid performances, they're given little to work with, leaving their potential untapped. Bailee Madison, who receives the most screen time, sees her character's development squandered as the story progresses. However, Lewis Pullman injects some much-needed vitality into his role, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the mediocrity.

The recasting of the psychopaths neither enhances nor detracts from the film, leaving their performances largely forgettable. Additionally, the decision to adopt an 80s aesthetic feels misplaced, especially considering the lack of a period setting. Had the filmmakers fully committed to this theme, ditching modern technology and amplifying the era's cultural elements, it might have provided a fresh angle to an otherwise uninspired narrative.

Overall, The Strangers: Prey at Night falls short of its predecessor's success, delivering a middling horror experience that fails to leave a lasting impression. While it may offer some fleeting moments of tension, they're overshadowed by its inability to break free from genre clichés.

FORMAT: Blu-ray

VIDEO: 8.5 1080/24p presentation Detail level: Good Colour reproduction: Excellent Level accuracy: Good Encode: Excellent Master condition: Excellent

AUDIO: 9.5 DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio Dialogue reproduction: Excellent Soundtrack & effects clarity: Excellent Dynamics: Excellent Surround sound presentation: Good LFE content: Excellent

MOOFIEMETER: 5.0.

I'm so often a lot kinder on films then many reviewers, but this was a genuinely terrible movie. The first one was successful in that it had a degree of subtlety, the couple were quietly terrorised, it built a tension, and had you feeling unnerved. This was a blunt, brash, dreadful attempt to drag further life out of a franchise long since past its sell by date. One or two good scenes I guess, but the Strangers literally became super villains.

It's a disaster. 3/10

I would say I am normally with the majority as far as ratings go, but I guess not with this one... I was expecting it to be pretty mid to trash, but I actually quite liked it. It had this kinda throwback 80s slasher vibe that I honestly dug.

I think so many people were expecting it to be the same brand of good as the first one, and it wasn't. I feel like there were a few too many direct parallels that ended up making it feel derivative... but it really was a completely different kind of movie than the original and entertaining in its own right and as a stand alone.

Loved the acting from the parents, kids were fine. The daughter wasn't amazing but got better as the movie went along. The play with lighting and shots were effective, the sfx were not bad and the soundtrack was fun. The pool scene really stuck out to me, from the moment those lights came on till it was over... I was there for it.

I honestly think I could have rounded up to a 7 if the story was just a little more developed, maybe a recast for the daughter and the ending was better... wasn't in love with the ending.

I don't think this movie deserves all the scathing reviews... And I don't know since when people were so offended by the idea of suspension of disbelief, especially in a slasher. I give it a 6.5 rounding down to a 6, would recommend.

The music is the best part of the movie. I loved the 80s themed soundtrack, especially during the pool scene. The movie slowly ramps up tension and when it hits full bore it never stops. Its relenting. The characters do stupid things of course, but that's par for the course for these movies. In the end you do care enough to want them to survive . I admit the film doesn't really bring anything new to the table, but what it does bring it does really well. I'd recommend to fans of the slasher genre and of the original movie.

Girlfriend made me watch this with her... now im single,