- Actors: Christina Hendricks, Martin Henderson, Bailee Madison, Lewis Pullman
- Director: Johannes Roberts
- Writers: Bryan Bertino, Ben Ketai
- Producers: James Harris, Wayne Marc Godfrey, Mark Lane, Robert Jones, Ryan Kavanaugh
- Disc Format: Color, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
- Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo), English (Dolby Digital 5.1), English (DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1)
- Subtitles: Spanish, English
- Region: Region A/1
- Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1
- Rated: Not Rated
- Studio: Universal Pictures Home Entertainment
- Release Date: June 12, 2018
- Run Time: 86 minutes
Horror movies
seem to have the highest likelihood for sequels out of each of the genres. This
can require an uphill battle for the screenwriter, however, as most horror
movies end with the death of the villain. Although The Strangers is a unique horror movie in that none of the villains
were dispatched by the conclusion, the sequel has still reinvented the formula
somewhat. The first film built up the suspense by creating empathy for the
characters. That way the horror was tied to the audience caring for the
characters in danger, rather than any graphic blood or gore. Although the
premise of home invasion remains the same, the emphasis on what is important
has shifted from emotions to pure visceral thrills for the long-awaited sequel.
While the
original film took place at a remote vacation cabin with a couple going through
emotional difficulties in their relationship, this one takes place in an
off-season mobile home park. When Mike (Martin Henderson) and Cindy (Christina
Hendricks) are forced to move with their two kids (Bailee Madison and Lewis
Pullman), they make a stop at the mobile home park, unaware that they will
spend their first night struggling to survive the attacks of three masked
killers. The family is even given
emotional problems to deal with, though we know from the past film that these
issues will be irrelevant once the attacks begin. The logic of a mobile home
park that is completely deserted is questionable, but the filmmakers attempt to
explain it away with a few gruesome murders at the beginning of the film. This
also makes it seem like the attackers are laying in wait in this installment,
decreasing the randomness of the original.
Having never
exposed the identity of the mask-wearing psychopaths in the first film, Prey at Night is able to easily bring
them back without any explanation needed. Part of what made them so terrifying
in the first film was also the randomness and unexplained reasons for the home
invasion attacks. We are meant to believe that it was simply bad luck that the
killers chose our protagonist’s home. While the sequel still has some of the
inexplicable elements, it also increases the intelligence of the victims and
decreases the abilities of the attackers. This makes for a less terrifying
experience, even if including the catharsis that comes from allowing the
victims to fight back.
Not only are
there more victims for the killers in this sequel, but in allowing the victims
to fight back against their attackers, there are additional excuses for
violence and gore in the film. It wasn’t that the first film didn’t have
graphic content, but it was selective in its use. The horror was far more
psychological in the original, which is an element that director Johannes
Roberts sacrifices for cheap thrills in this second installment. While The Strangers was a rare horror film
that was able to show restraint, the sequel resembles all of the slashers I was
originally impressed that The Strangers
was so different from.
The Blu-ray release
of The Strangers: Prey at Night comes
with a DVD and a Digital copy of the film, on top of the extras included on the
disc. Those include a handful of special features, half of which are focused on
the music used for the film’s soundtrack, giving the movie a slightly retro
feel to it, despite appearing to take place in modern times. There is a music
video included, as well as a featurette about the musical choices. The other
two featurettes include fairly generic promotional content, from behind-the
scenes footage to cast/crew interviews.
Entertainment Value:
7/10
Quality of
Filmmaking: 6/10
Historical
Significance: 4/10
Special Features: 6/10
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