The Strangers Star Shares One Reason Why New Trilogy is Better Than Original

Despite her love for the 2008 movie The Strangers, Madelaine Petsch has pointed out one reason why the new trilogy surpasses the original.

The initial installment of an upcoming trio of new horror movies directed by Renny Harlin is titled The Strangers: Chapter 1. Despite featuring the same masked psychopaths as the previous two Strangers films, these new entries are standalone movies rather than reboots or remakes.

Froy Gutierrez joins Petsch as the main couple, Maya and Ryan, whose visit to a secluded town quickly becomes a terrifying ordeal as their Airbnb is targeted by unwelcome visitors.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pZUQmZdOi4

The Strangers: Chapter 1 (2024) Official Trailer – Madelaine Petsch, Froy Gutierrez (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pZUQmZdOi4)

“Petsch explains that the reason she finds this more bone-chilling is due to the increased amount of time spent with the character.”

“You will have the opportunity to accompany Maya, our lead, on a journey through three full films. This experience will be truly unique and unlike any other.”

Naturally, people will draw comparisons due to the similar setup. However, the purpose of this setup is merely to serve as a launchpad for Maya’s character study, as she is pushed beyond her breaking point.

“As a result, the question of ‘Who do you become?’ lingers, making it feel like more of a character examination and psychological inquiry by the conclusion of the third chapter.”

Despite everything mentioned, Petsch emphasized her admiration for Bryan Bertino’s 2008 film The Strangers, starring Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman as Kristen and James, a couple whose romantic getaway is interrupted by three masked murderers.

“She expresses that the movie was possibly the most terrifying one she had ever watched, as it portrayed a scenario that could realistically occur. She has a strong affinity for hyperrealistic horror.”

Likewise, Harlin expressed a great deal of admiration for the original film. “Receiving the script was definitely intimidating for me because I hold The Strangers in such high regard. I had no desire to simply create a sequel or remake of it,”he explained to us.

The Strangers in the 2008 original — Universal Pictures

Harlin and Petsch are fans of the 2008 original

Upon receiving the script and realizing it was 280 pages long, he understood that it would be a unique project.

“Right from the start, the plan was to reimagine the Strangers narrative. The jumping off point, of course, was the original film where a young couple is faced with a home invasion by three strangers.”

However, this is only the beginning, as the initial movie lays the foundation for what is to come. The following epic saga spans over four and a half hours and is divided into three separate films.

What truly captured my attention was the realization that we are not attempting to recreate the original film, but rather using it as a foundation for an epic tale about serial killers and their victims.

The first installment of The Strangers, Chapter 1, will be released in theaters on May 17. If you’re in the mood for more horror, be sure to browse the top horror movies available on Amazon Prime Video. Additionally, keep an eye out for new movie releases coming out in May.