We’re painfully aware that The Strangers – the Liv Tyler horror film which was a sleeper hit in the States this summer – opens in the UK this weekend. So please, if you don’t want to know any spoilers, DO NOT READ PAST THIS POINT. Have you stopped reading? Are you sure you haven’t snuck a crafty peek past the point above? No? So the people who are still reading this have either seen The Strangers or don’t give a crap (which begs the question, why are you reading this at all?)? Good. Then we’ll begin. Rogue Pictures have responded to the surprise success of The Strangers – in which Tyler and her boyfriend are tormented by a group of psychotic masked teenagers – by greenlighting a sequel. The Strangers 2 (we’re guessing) will see writer-director Bryan Bertino return, although he might not direct. There’s also a strong possibility that he may be joined by Tyler (told you there were spoilers; Scott Speedman will not be back) and some of the original villains. It’ll be interesting to see where Bertino takes the material this time around, as The Strangers is a dark and gruelling little piece that has more in common with the likes of Funny Games and the French horror, Them, than it does your typical stalk’n’slash flick. Will he maintain the dark tone, or will Tyler become an ass-kicking heroine? Rogue is hoping that the picture might see The Strangers develop into a Saw-like franchise. With the best will in the world, we hope not, for very few horror franchises have suffered from the law of diminishing returns like the Saw series. Isn’t it best to burn out with a couple of really good, strong efforts, than to fade away with increasingly awful sequels? Production is scheduled for early 2009.

Chris Hewitt

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Isn't it sad....
...that audience's require interesting moves like funny games to be dressed up with stock horror cliches before they'll watch them. Presumably if you smother the premise with enough attractive females running upstairs, the audience can ignore any message about their own unpleasantness. Also, isn't it sad that money is the only argument for a movie getting a sequel (and not its inevitable cackness). And that dirk gently is yet to get a big screen version. Just throwing that last one out there... Read More sinaplenty About me
17:21, 28 August 2008 | Report This Post
Why are horror films so susceptible to having multiple sequels made of them? Multiple shit sequels? It's not exactly the studios fault; if there's a demand for the same shit re-hashed with a bit more gore and a few more jumps then they might as well supply it. I just don't understand where this demand comes from. ... Read More muchobenny About me
09:32, 28 August 2008 | Report This Post
Hmmm...
Been watching High Fidelity recently, Mr. Hewitt? ... Read More sowasred2012 About me
09:23, 28 August 2008 | Report This Post
Dont make this become the next Saw
Please for the love of God and all things HOLY! I have no intention of seeing this in the cinema so I might pur-chase it on DVD when it arrives on that format...but dont think I shall be in a hurry to watch it. As for the Saw series, I watched the first one, knew what the second one was about and was forced to watch the 3rd one but didnt bother with the 4th one...and i hear they want to do a 5th one? Oh please...leave it out will ya? Its done and dusted and I think The Strangers should either be... Read More Noelg25 About me
08:46, 28 August 2008 | Report This Post