A car malfunction forces a young couple to stay in a cabin in the woods near a small town, where three masked strangers invade and hunt them down.
Ahhh… The disparities between the American cities and the unknown to the public towns where chances are that everyone’s evil.
It’s almost impossible for anyone to watch it and not compare it to The Strangers (2008), a stunning house invasion horror. Major differences that actually matter start from the very beginning, when the 2008 couple was unhappy and torn. Their sadness and awkwardness were relatable to the audience right away, and as if that was not enough, they had to be attacked, too – something that brought their turbulent journey to an end, though. The 2024 couple rubs their happiness “in your face,” and while in real life, that’s what we wish for people, horror films don’t work that way. Horror and drama are a powerful combo.
From then on, the 2024 version has nothing new to offer. It copies the previous film (and its sequel) to a large extent, and that is pretty much it. If you have not watched the original, you may like it more. But if you haven’t, watch the original.
Today, a significant challenge is depicting the differences between the alleged city’s arrogance and local hostility toward outsiders. We have seen this time and time again, and different ways are required nowadays to project this “old wine, new bottle.” Solely, the “religious freak” or inbred guy(s) does not cut it anymore. Well, maybe Chapters 2 and 3 will be more creative. Yes, they are already in postproduction.
One last thing… the intentions! Why are these people doing it? How do these masks relate to the attackers’ intentions (or lack thereof)? How can the filmmakers visually express that particular darkness of the human soul?
Thank you for reading!
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Solidarity for all the innocent lives who suffer the atrocities of war!
Stay safe!
