The Strangers: Chapter 1, directed by Renny Harlin, is the third installment in The Strangers film series and serves as the launching pad for a standalone trilogy. Written by Alan R. Cohen and Alan Freedland, based on a story by Bryan Bertino—the director of the original film—this 2024 American horror film is both a continuation and a reimagining of the franchise. Starring Madelaine Petsch and Froy Gutierrez, alongside Gabriel Basso and Ema Horvath, the film offers a sinister tale of survival against three masked psychopaths.
The movie premiered on May 8, 2024, at Regal L.A. Live and was released theatrically by Lionsgate Films on May 17, 2024. While receiving largely negative reviews from critics, it captivated audiences with its intense atmosphere, brutal violence, and terrifying antagonists.
The story begins in 2017, in the small town of Venus, Oregon. A man named Jeff Morell is brutally ambushed in the woods by three masked figures—Scarecrow, Dollface, and Pin-Up Girl. Their attack is methodical and merciless, ending with Scarecrow delivering the fatal blow with an axe. This chilling prologue sets the tone for the grim events to follow.
Some time later, Maya (Madelaine Petsch) and her boyfriend Ryan (Froy Gutierrez) are traveling cross-country to Portland for Maya's job interview, celebrating their fifth anniversary along the way. They stop in Venus for a meal at a local diner, where they notice a missing person poster for Jeff and encounter unfriendly locals. When their car breaks down, a mechanic named Rudy agrees to repair it by morning. Shelly, a kind waitress, offers to drive them to a remote Airbnb cabin in the woods where they can spend the night.
The tranquility of the cabin is soon shattered. That night, a strange young woman arrives, asking if "Tamara is home." Maya and Ryan dismiss her, but the encounter leaves them uneasy. Later, Ryan realizes he left his inhaler in their car and rides back into town on a motorcycle provided by the Airbnb. Alone in the cabin, Maya is startled when the same woman returns, repeating the eerie question.
As Maya showers, Scarecrow silently watches her, heightening the tension. When the power goes out, Maya encounters Dollface and hides in terror. Ryan returns to find her shaken, but he dismisses her fears as paranoia induced by marijuana. Their sense of safety is short-lived when they spot the mysterious woman watching them from the shadows. Ryan chases her off, but the menace persists.
The horror escalates when the couple finds a dead chicken hanging from the ceiling with its throat slit. The three masked strangers—Scarecrow, Dollface, and Pin-Up Girl—break into the house, forcing Maya and Ryan to barricade themselves in the bedroom. Scarecrow smashes the door with his axe, only to leave moments later, adding an element of psychological torment to their ordeal.
Maya and Ryan attempt to flee on the motorcycle, but Scarecrow blows it up. They narrowly avoid capture by hiding in the home’s crawlspace, where Maya injures her hand on a nail. Seeking refuge in a nearby shed, Ryan finds a shotgun and saves Maya from an attack by Pin-Up Girl and Scarecrow.
However, their luck takes a grim turn. Mistaking the property owner, Joe, for one of the attackers, Ryan accidentally kills him with the shotgun. Their escape attempt in Joe’s car is thwarted when Scarecrow repeatedly rams it with his truck. With Ryan’s leg trapped, he urges Maya to run. She reluctantly flees into the woods, discovering Jeff’s decaying corpse. Despite calling 911 on Joe’s phone, the poor signal prevents her from getting help.
Maya’s flight is cut short when Dollface knocks her unconscious and drags her back to the cabin. Meanwhile, Ryan confronts Pin-Up Girl, demanding Maya’s whereabouts, but Scarecrow incapacitates him.
Maya and Ryan awaken tied to chairs in the cabin. In their final moments together, Ryan proposes to Maya, and she tearfully accepts. The masked strangers show no mercy. Pin-Up Girl stabs Ryan fatally, and Scarecrow tips his chair over, leaving him to bleed out. Maya demands answers, asking why they are doing this. In a chilling reply, Pin-Up Girl simply says, “Because you’re here.” Scarecrow then stabs Maya and knocks her over.
As the perpetrators prepare to leave, police sirens sound in the distance, prompting their escape. Maya later awakens in a hospital bed, her nightmare seemingly over. But in a horrifying final twist, she discovers Scarecrow lying beside her.
Madelaine Petsch delivers a powerful performance as Maya, portraying fear, resilience, and vulnerability with authenticity. Froy Gutierrez complements her as Ryan, capturing his character’s determination and desperation. Gabriel Basso and Ema Horvath provide solid support, though the masked trio of villains—especially Scarecrow—steal the spotlight with their menacing presence.
Renny Harlin’s direction amplifies the tension, using tight, claustrophobic spaces and a haunting atmosphere to create a sense of dread. The screenplay by Alan R. Cohen and Alan Freedland stays true to the franchise’s roots while introducing fresh elements for the relaunch.
The Strangers: Chapter 1 explores themes of vulnerability, isolation, and the randomness of violence. The antagonists’ lack of motive—a hallmark of the series—underscores the chilling unpredictability of their actions. While some critics argue that the film doesn’t break new ground, its relentless pacing and shocking twists ensure an engaging experience for fans of the genre.
The Strangers: Chapter 1 may not have reinvented the horror genre, but it successfully delivers a gripping and nerve-wracking experience. With strong performances, a foreboding atmosphere, and moments of shocking brutality, the film sets the stage for its upcoming sequels. For fans of the franchise and horror enthusiasts alike, this installment offers a terrifying glimpse into the nightmarish world of The Strangers.
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