Arguably one of the best slasher films of the last decade, "The Strangers" is finally getting a sequel. The new movie, titled "Strangers: Prey at Night" will be released to theaters March 9, 2018.
The original movie starred Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman as a couple who are terrorized one night by three mask-wearing psychopaths. The film, written and directed by Bryan Bertino, was inspired by 1969 Tate murders by the Manson Family in California. The movie grossed $82.4 million worldwide at the box office, a hit among audiences. Of course everyone expected a sequel, the norm when it comes to a successful horror movie, however, none ever came to be.
Fans were teased with talks about a sequel back in 2015, however, nothing seemed to come of that. Until now.
'Strangers: Prey at Night'
The new film will star Christina Hendricks, Bailee Madison, Lewis Pullman, and Martin Henderson as a family traveling across the country. Of course, things take a turn for the worse when the family is forced to hunker down in a borrowed trailer in a secluded mobile home park after the power goes out. Enter the killers from the first movie named, Dollface, Pin-Up Girl, and the Man in the Mask, played by Emma Bellomy, Lea Enslin, and Damian Maffei, respectively.
The new movie will be directed by Johannes Roberts, "47 Meters Down," and co-written by original writer-director Bryan Bertino.
The movie will not be a sequel or continuation of the first film but rather a reboot of sorts. There is no mention of whether Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman will appear in this movie, or if there will even be any mention of the events of the first movie at all.
Horror movie sequels
Horror movies are famous for sequels, trilogies and whole franchises spanning decades and dozens of movies, "Saw," "Friday the 13th," "Halloween," and "Hellraiser" being the most notable.
It's no surprise to see a sequel film to a horror movie, in fact, it's more surprising to not see a sequel. However, sequels in the horror genre have been notorious for turning what made the first film in the franchise terrifying into a joke.
There are a few exceptions, however, the most recent being "The Conjuring" universe, made up of "The Conjuring," "The Conjuring 2," "Annabelle," "Annabelle Creation," and "The Nun." With the exception of "Annabelle," all movies have thus far been successful, "The Nun" will be released in July of 2018 and so has not been viewed by audiences yet.
However, is a sequel to "The Strangers" necessary? Or even a smart move? Horror movie sequels and franchises tend to turn into their own worst joke as mentioned, and with such a beloved slasher film as "The Strangers", is that a risk that should be taken?
Regardless of whether we should have one or not, a sequel will be released March 9, 2018. The fans are getting what they wanted and the studio gets to make a little cash. Let's just hope the sequel lives up to the original and follows the path to success of the more current modern franchises and steers clear of becoming its own punchline.
"Strangers: Prey at Night" will be released in theaters March 9, 2018.