The Strangers: Chapter 1 puts the spotlight on a couple, Maya and her boyfriend Ryan, who essentially drive across the country to celebrate their fifth anniversary. And as you might expect due to the films that came before, the night takes a terrifying turn when they encounter three masked strangers. However, while the thrilling premise of the film sets the stage for a heart-pounding horror experience, the execution of this more modernized reboot unfortunately falls short in several key aspects.

Unintelligent Decisions From the Protagonists

Throughout the movie, Maya and Ryan consistently make decisions that leave viewers scratching their heads in disbelief. From not calling the police when they first sense danger to repeatedly splitting up when it's clear they should stick together, the protagonists exhibit a level of cluelessness that is generally frustrating to watch. Rather than rooting for their survival in influential films like Scream, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Hellraiser, or even Halloween, audiences are left feeling exasperated by their lack of common sense — especially when they ignore literally every opening that’s given to them.

Yes, the genre does have a consistent tendency to also integrate some unequipped characters into terrifying circumstances, so it does get a partial pass. However, some of these characters’ decisions in the film are impossible to get behind. Especially when you hesitate with one killer at gunpoint — and have already killed any innocent bystander on accident. But nonetheless, hesitate by all means.

Simple Scares and Cinematography

Compared to its predecessors in the franchise, The Strangers: Chapter 1 falls flat in delivering truly unsettling scares and effective cinematography. For a majority of the time, the tension-building moments feel contrived, failing to elicit the same sense of dread that made the previous films so memorable. The iconic masked strangers, while generally menacing in appearance, lack the depth and terror that one would expect from such antagonists (excluding the always well-executed "Is Tamara home?” moment). Additionally, the film relies heavily on jump scares that mostly come off as predictable rather than genuinely chilling.

In terms of cinematography and framing, the movie teeters between success and struggle with its attempt to construct an atmosphere of relentless unease. Shots are often static and lack the dynamic quality needed to keep viewers on the edge of their seats, or even feeling engrossed in its story. The lack of darkness that permeates the setting, while intended to evoke more clarity than the original film, instead feels too bright and uninspired. Still, overall, the visuals lack the impact that would elevate the viewing experience to the level of its predecessors — but it’s also worth noting that it does have a handful of solid spooks in the earlier acts of the film.

A Familiar Narrative

One of the most significant shortcomings of The Strangers: Chapter 1 is its narrative, which feels disjointed given its three-film commitment, which already lacks substance. The plot meanders without a clear sense of direction other than an uncertain couple, resulting in a story that feels a little unsatisfying for longtime franchise fans. The interactions between the characters also come across as unconvincing, failing to establish any meaningful emotional connection with the audience. And that could be a result of the production process which had its cast filming three entries at once. It’s all just a little muddled.

The film's pacing also contributes to its mostly stiff nature, with several final-act sequences that should be intense or shocking falling flat due to poor execution. With its script, the dialogue throughout the film feels stilted, and the character development is shallow, offering very little room for viewers to become invested in the outcome of the protagonists' harrowing ordeal. As a result, The Strangers: Chapter 1 struggles to resonate on a deeper level and ultimately feels like a missed opportunity to explore the psychological terror that made the franchise stand out.

Score: 5.5/10

Overall, The Strangers: Chapter 1 falls short of living up to the legacy of its predecessors and fails to establish itself as a necessary installment in the franchise. Fellow fans of the horror genre are still likely to find moments of enjoyment in the film, but it ultimately fails to leave a lasting impact on its audience.