The Strangers 2: Prey at Night (2018)

Directed by: Johannes Roberts | 85 minutes | horror | Actors: Christina Hendricks, Martin Henderson, Bailee Madison, Lewis Pullman, Damian Maffei, Emma Bellomy, Lea Enslin, Mary Louise Casanta, Ken Strunk, Rachel Kuhn, Leah Roberts, Preston Sadleir, Gabriel A. Byrne

You have to be of good quality to give eighties bubblegum pop hit ‘I Think We’re Alone Now’ by Tiffany a dark edge. Especially now that this golden oldie was recently skillfully poked (read: demolished) by Giovanni Ribisi in the comedy ‘Ted’ about the foul-mouthed teddy bear of the same name. Anyone who thought the song was too cheesy to instill fear will be disappointed, because in ‘The Strangers 2: Prey of Night’ that cracker evokes a very uncomfortable atmosphere. A very fine performance by director Johannes Roberts who has managed to create an exciting and hard-hitting horror film.

Exactly ten years after the release of the first part, the sequel comes out. Well, this can’t really be called a direct sequel, but rather a reboot of sorts. Like the original, unsuspecting people – in this case a family – are visited by mysterious strangers bent on blood. Part one revolved around a couple – played by Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman – with marital problems. The sequel is about a family struggling with the rebellious behavior of daughter Kinsey (Bailee Madison). Talking things out is out of the question when secretive psychopaths walk around.

Canned by Bryan Bertino in 2008, The Strangers featured a slow start that focused on the couple’s marital problems. That dejected atmosphere continued when out of nowhere the strangers appeared and sowed death and destruction. It is precisely the feeling of powerlessness and despair that made ‘The Strangers’ a special and strong slasher. A good horror film touches on human fears and dives into your psyche. Bertino’s film did that partly thanks to the strong acting of the cast.

Continuing down the same road, Roberts introduces a family that has a shaky relationship. Madison is very good at her role as a desperate teenager who is at odds with herself. Lewis Pullman is also notable as son Luke trying to find his place in the family. The talents of Christina Hendricks and Martin Henderson as mother and father respectively are unfortunately little tapped. Damian Maffei, finally, deserves a special mention as the masked man who is the evil genius behind the atrocities of the strangers. His menacing body language impresses and is reminiscent of the glory days of 80s icon Jason Voorhees as played by Kane Hodder.

The acting is fine and the problems the family is struggling with approachable. However, Roberts is a different kind of director than Bertino. This second part is also a tribute to the eighties. The soundtrack consists of tracks by Kim Wilde, Bonnie Tyler and the aforementioned Tiffany. The upbeat pop contrasts enormously with the gruesome scenes that pass you by and that results in a particularly eerie atmosphere. The violence is portrayed ice cold, because you can clearly see the suffering of the victims. That results in a few spine-chilling scenes that get right under your skin. That does not apply to the grotesque and almost cartoonish finale.

‘The Strangers 2: Prey at Night’ is a fast-paced movie, clocking in at just 85 minutes. Also an element that is reminiscent of the 80s. That era also consisted of compact films. Like the first part, drama is combined with horror, creating a bond with the characters. What makes this movie so great is the special atmosphere and the ode to eighties slashers. If you liked part one then this part will entertain you too.