The Strangers: Prey at Night

Director: Roberts, Johannes
Screenplay: Ben Ketai
Minutes: 85
Year: 2018
Score: 5.87
Release: Universal Pictures Home Entertainment

The Strangers: Prey at Night is, undoubtedly, a sequel and while there are more than enough jump scares it is a bit predictable, but then again, it is a slasher so you are probably not going in looking for a lost Kubrick film.

From the Press Release:

Inspired by the 2008 cult classic The Strangers, The Strangers: Prey at Night is based on real events surrounding a family struggling to survive as they are attacked on their vacation by a trio of masked psychopaths that hunt their prey with seemingly no rhyme or reason. Director Johannes Roberts (47 Meters Down) pays homage to The Strangers by bringing back the infamous masked villains — Doll face, Pin-Up Girl and Man in the Mask — and incorporates elements of the ‘80s slasher genre to create a perfect mix of old and new that is sure to satisfy and reignite fear in fans of the original while also bringing new devotees to the franchise. Arriving on Digital on May 22, 2018and Blu-ray™, DVD and On Demand on June 12, 2018 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, The Strangers: Prey at Night is packed with exclusive bonus content including a never before seen alternate ending and an unrated version that brings the chaos and horror of the film to a whole new level.

A family’s road trip takes a dangerous turn when they arrive at a secluded mobile home park to stay with relatives and find it mysteriously deserted. Under the cover of darkness, three masked psychopaths pay them a visit to test the family’s every limit as they struggle to survive. Johannes Roberts, whose shark diving thriller 47 Meters Down was a smash hit, directs this horror film featuring Christina Hendricks (“Mad Men”), Bailee Madison (Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark), Martin Henderson (The Ring),and Lewis Pullman (Battle of the Sexes).

I think that this film could have been better served if I hadn’t watched part one directly before part two because they are essentially the same movie, except, you know, with kids. Don’t get me wrong, it scared the stuff out of me, so that’s something.

While the film is we made, and well acted, it is the soundtrack which does the heavy lifting, as long as you are a child of the 80s. Listening to Total Eclipse of the Heart while villains attack a hero in a pool (which was much too clean and well lit for a seemingly vacant trailer park).

With time and a repeat viewing or two I imagine I will find the film a bit more palatable, which, unfortunately begs the question of value.

Special Features:

• Alternate Ending
• Music Video
• A Look Inside The Strangers: Prey at Night
• Family Fights Back
• The Music of The Strangers: Prey at Night

Director: 6 – Cinematography: 7 – Edit: 5 – Parity: 2 – Main performance: 6 – Else performance: 6 – Score: 10 – Sound: 6 – Story: 5 – Script: 4 – Effects: 8 – Design: 5 – Costumes: 6 – Keeps interest: 7 – Lasting: 5