Next to violation of the self, the idea of an intrusion upon one's home - the most personal embryonic space - taps a deeply chilling nerve. Often, the reluctant viewer is positioned as a witness to the aftermath of cinematic violent invasions (
Manhunter), whereas other not-so-lucky participants are given a front row seat to madness from beginning to dismal end (
Funny Games).
Texas native Bryan Bertino's
The Strangers falls into the latter category introducing us to Kristen (Liv Tyler) and James (Scott Speedman), a couple who, one night, are victims of a home attack enacted by a handful of masked "strangers."
Rogue Pictures intends to release the film in early 2008 - a slight change from a planned summer '07 bow. ShockTillYouDrop.com met Bertino - a slender, tanned and tattooed figure whose accent is unmistakable - on a sunny afternoon at the San Diego Comic-Con where he previewed
The Strangers before a packed hall with stars Tyler and Speedman.
Shock: Where did this story come from for you? Were you inspired by a true account in particular or was it from a deeper reverence for these kinds of films?
Bertino: This was the first thing I'd ever written that was scary. I love drama, I love writing drama. I love characters but what I wanted to do was create complicated characters. Create a base. I think what scary movies allow you to do is you can take any character that has a background and cut them to the core. Like, at the end of the day, no matter whether they're a good person or bad, we're all going to react instinctively and I love the concept of being able to do that. What I love about horror films is if you go to see a great drama, you're going to leave emotionally exhausted. You go to a great horror film and you're going to leave emotionally exhausted, so when I decided to make something like this, I said, "What if I took both and put them together?" Could that reach people even more? Because I don't think people do it enough.
ShockTillYouDrop.com: And it's purely a home invasion film?
Bryan Bertino: The core idea is, you wake up in the middle of the night and you hear something outside - that was the inspiration more than anything. You go down into the living room and you turn on the light, what if somebody was standing there? From the beginning that's what I wanted to do. Take characters that you cared about and felt like you were in the house with them, put them in a situation and for no rhyme or reason bad things started to happen.
Shock: Being a first-timer in the realm of feature directing, was sustaining what sounds like consistent tension difficult in any way?
Bertino: To me, I like to think of my scripts as really small, but really big. And that you find the hugeness of the situation in the fact that it's very real. It wasn't difficult to sustain energy in that as long as you felt like you were with Scott and Liv, then hopefully you'll find it exhilarating too. A car doesn't have to explode to make it thrilling and that's not going to happen to us in this film. But you could have a situation where someone comes at you.
Shock: It's quite a coup for you to land the cast that you did. Minimal cast too. Can you talk about that?
Bertino: Liv, Scott and I...it was every day for us. I was talking about it to Scott yesterday, looking back on that experience, there wasn't a day on that set where somebody wasn't screaming or crying about something. For them as actors, I think that's what drew them to the project, but at the same time, we were all worn out. There was never a light moment, never that "easy" scene. It was always something where they had to be ready. With actors like Scott and Liv, they come from such an organic place - they had to put themselves there. I think in horror films you find yourself in situations where people are phoning it in. But this was so much about being there, feeling it, that those guys never got time off emotionally.
Shock: Did that make your job slightly easier knowing they were willing to commit wholeheartedly to the material?
Bertino: It was one of the reasons I really pushed them. I always knew I wanted actors that were accessible. But I loved the fact that Liv had worked with Robert Altman. I mean, she had done 'Lord of the Rings' and 'Armageddon' but she had done giant, ensemble situations where it was like improv for forty-five minutes and Altman was able to just move around with the camera. She was able to bring some of that to the table. With Scott, whether it was looking back at 'Felicity' or whatever, he had gone long hours of building characters so we were able to jump in. It was great for me - I'm glad I pushed and wanted those people.
Shock: Were there any instances during shooting where everyone stepped back and wondered if you were all going too far? How do you approach the "strangers"? As humans? Monsters?
Bertino: The climax of this movie. As the movie boils down to what's going to happen at the end - are people gonna get attacked? - it wasn't a flashy thing, it was done in a realistic way. I think it was very frightening and terrifying for everybody. For the Strangers, I didn't want to think of them as monsters, I wanted to think of them as people. That had its good benefits and its bad because they had to explore what it would be like to kill somebody, hurt somebody. Not in a cool slasher way but in a "this is what it'd be like to beat a man" or stab somebody. I think that's hard for anybody. I never saw the Strangers as glorified extras, they were the key to the whole thing. There were definitely moments when it was too much.
Shock: The masks presented on the poster and in the film are curiously amassing a fanbase all their own on the web before the film is even released...
Bertino: I love the masks, too. We worked so hard on them. In the script there was some base concept description of them. I wanted them to feel like something these people could have bought at Wal-Mart or wherever. The "man" wears a bag, and I imagine it's something he made thirty minutes before he got to the house. What I think is great is that people are connecting to them the way they are because it doesn't feel unbelievable, it feels real. To me, in a movie where you have masks, you want them to work and I think we've been fortunate that we lucked out. I had a great artist that would with me for hours and I'd make her draw and draw, but she helped me find what I was looking for.
Shock: Well, some of the best films lean in either direction - Rosemary's Baby is heavily reliant on character. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre plays to more primal, visceral scares.
Bertino: The thing of it is, even if you go back to the original 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre' - the purity of that movie actually works the same way 'Rosemary's Baby' did. I grew up in Texas, I knew what it was like to be in a van with 105-degree weather. The fact that slasher films have become what it is, to me, is so different than what it initially started out to be.
Shock: And that was?
Bertino: Put a bunch of kids in a van and you're saying you understand what it's like to be them and that's why I love '70s genre. It gave you the time. Other than a hiccup, nothing happens in 'The Exorcist' for the first thirty minutes you just feel like you're in this house with this woman whose daughter is not feeling right. I want 'The Strangers' to push how far you could go with character development. Liv, Scott and I always talked about how we wanted the audience to give a shit about these people even if nobody's coming through the door. I don't think a lot of horror films don't do that.
Shock: Have you had time to tinker with the film now that it's no longer coming out this summer?
Bertino: No, we've basically been finished and it got pushed mostly because in today's Hollywood, these movies are coming out in 4,000 screens. 'Spider-Man,' 'Harry Potter,' it's not like it was four or five years ago where you counter-program whatever. You go to the movies and those two films are like the only things that are playing. I'm happy the studio didn't bury it, they believe in it. So if that means pushing it to the beginning of the year so it will have a chance to let people see our movie, I was thrilled to not get killed by 'Harry Potter.' I was going to go see 'Harry Potter' so... [laughs]
Shock: I've always thought summer was a bad time for horror...
Bertino: Yeah, and I think of this movie as a cold weather kinda movie anyway. It felt better to me to see it in the time period it's meant to be seen. You want to snuggle up next to the girl or guy you care about. When the characters light a fire in the film, it's going to feel right.
Shock: Did you make any alterations in post-production to give the look a '70s feel?
Bertino: My cinematographer [Peter Sova] shot 'Good Morning, Vietnam' and 'Diner,' so one of the things we didn't want to do was not hit people over the head with the '70s with this super-contrasty, grainy thing people are doing now. We wanted it to be clean. What people will see is something incredibly dark and warm. We wanted it to feel like you're inside the house, so we purposely stayed away from greens and blues and bleach bypass and said let's shoot it as clean and real as possible. Light with practical. We tried to break down that fourth wall. I think with so many horror films now, you're aware you're watching them. Don't overwhelm with a score, believe in your characters. Let's put them in a room and let the camera flow.
Shock: Are you going to continue down a path of horror in your career?
Bertino: Yeah, I'm working with Scott Rudin on something I wrote a while back, so we've still been developing it.
Comments
Posted by: Valeta Wensloff on March 20, 2008 at 10:40:09
This movie looks amazingly cool.
Posted by: Jim Itsty on March 20, 2008 at 10:53:30
I'd be interested in knowing what real life story inspired this film. Chilling.
Posted by: colleen on April 10, 2008 at 19:32:36
this movie is another hoaks just like ammityville and other so called true story movies there is absolutley nothing to support the characters or the place 1802 clark road. most horror movies are either remakes or fiction. they need to show proof before telling us its based on anything true
Posted by: STUPID WHORE OF A DIRECTOR on April 19, 2008 at 20:42:42
****ing director never answered the question!!!
WAS THIS ACTUALLY BASED ON TRUE EVENTS?!!?!!!
BS, i think this directors faking that ****
....whore...
good movie tho!
Posted by: awesome on May 12, 2008 at 20:18:32
actually the amityville horror IS real just helpin ya out but yes this is fake just like Blair witch project and cloverfield DURRR on that one
Posted by: Sebastian on May 15, 2008 at 05:43:03
Hi there,
actually I wanted to tell you that this idea is like a remake of the french original, the french film is called Ils "they" and its exactly about the same thing, here a link of the trailer:
http://www.toxicshock.tv/news/2007/08/18/ils-movie-trailer/
But I still have to stay this movie is going to rock it, but I don't like the idea of giving them all the credits for "stealing" a movie that has allready been made....
Posted by: mlktigers on May 17, 2008 at 17:18:32
ummmmm..... acutally if u do some research the director clearly states that he was inspired by the manson murders. and if u actually watch the trailor u can clearly see this......
before u start bad mouthing maybe u should do some research :)
Posted by: Bryan on May 21, 2008 at 19:55:12
See, that is exactly what I thought of when i saw the trailer,the manson murders.I also thought of that guy who went to prison for killing his family not long after the manson thing.He told everyone they're were 3 teenagers and a girl with a "Floppy hat" that kept chanting "Acid is groovy". Everyone thought he was BS ing but years later that girl came forward to say that she remembered doing that with a couple of friends while tripping on acid. No one believed her and he still sits in prison for the crime. The "floppy hat" chick died soon after confessing and can't testify on his behalf so i guess he's f***ed. Anyway this movie is going to rock. I can't wait. I expect it to form a cult following hopefully this dosen't give some psychoes ideas. Just to be safe i will be locking my doors from now on.
Posted by: Crystal on May 23, 2008 at 12:08:01
It really is not that hard to say yes or no!
Answer the damn QUESTION! Is it based on a compilation of true events as well as personal effects? Or is it based on one true story and they want to remain silent? I understand it's just a movie but damn don't say "based on true events" then go no clue to anything else. This director is a joke. Now I'll wait to see the movie.
Posted by: Julie on May 23, 2008 at 14:21:49
I cant wait for this movie Im a majior horor nut and I think that the idea of home invaders wearing these creapy masks is a great story line I was disapointed in the reserch that I did Ive come to the conclusion that this is no true story none the less it still looks very scary.
Posted by: Ryan Rotten on May 23, 2008 at 14:58:54
***This is just our first interview***
We've got a second one coming up on Monday the 26th!
Posted by: Ryan on May 24, 2008 at 12:16:52
I still don't quite get the strangers point of doing what they did. Is the reason purely that the couple was home and they were targeting different houses? Was it random houses or was it planned?
Posted by: tyler christopher martin on May 30, 2008 at 23:00:00
hi my name is tyler i saw the movie strangers with my girlfriend and i have to say it was a great horror movie. i just want to know did this really happen in 2005.
Posted by: billy on May 31, 2008 at 00:53:11
Just got back from the movie, and... It's completely ****ed up. It'll mess with your head, and the damn thought of this actually happening is crazy. The worst part of this great movie, is hoping the crazies out there don't mimick the movie. One of the first movies that actually got into my head, and you just think "this is just wrong"
Posted by: Mandy on May 31, 2008 at 14:32:01
yes amityville was very real. They add some to it to make it more interesting to the auidance. Just like this movie. This has very well happen to an older couple years ago. 2 men thought it would be a good idea to kill people so the first house was a dud then the 2nd house was the house they rob and killed 2 elders. Just life "true event" stories events maybe real but it may not have happen exactly in that way. It is just to sture the audience and make them jump.
Posted by: Paul 1200 on June 1, 2008 at 02:18:42
This movie is a masterpiece in the horror movie genre. I havent seen a good horror film like this in a very long time. Most horror films these days are cheesy and very predictable. As for the strangers what you think is going to happen doesnt and it takes you by surprise and thats what makes the film so creepy. Its great film making that will definatly keep you on the edge of your seat.
I give it four stars and will go see it again.
Paul 1200
Posted by: Brian Lunenburg MA on June 3, 2008 at 12:31:08
I just saw this film last night. I was so realistic, you could almost feel the warmth from the fir, the cold outside and the fear in the characters. Although there was very little dialogue, it still kept me on the edge of my seat throught the duration of the film. It was "Inspired" by true events, not based on a true story. I havn't seen a good horror film like this one in a long time. Highly recomend you see it for yourself.
Posted by: INTENSE WATCHER! on June 6, 2008 at 16:32:38
Wow!.. what a wacky insane movie.. I mean really !.. this stuff happens in real life, because there are so many sick people in this world. The Director gets an A+ for putting this gem together. it was predictable in ways and unpredictable in others, specially the ending, would have like to seen the faces of the strangers just because...i'm curious to see what the sick bastards looked like, i do believe the girl who knocked on the door was one of them, but would have like to seen the other 2., who knows maybe there will be a part 2, they didn't get caught. anyways, the movie was great!
Posted by: jennydoo on June 8, 2008 at 18:21:48
I felt like we were kind of left hanging for maybe a sequel! did the girl live or was that the last breath? Did the killers stop killing or does it continue? I want to see more. Too many unanswered questions?????????? Good movie loved it but want to see a sequeal. WHo r the killers? Do they live normal need some history.
Posted by: Sierra on June 15, 2008 at 16:34:42
yea everyone has been saying this was based of a true story,
it was,
a couple went to a cabin and they got murdered but no one figured what happene or who did it
that was only real part, every thig else was just made up for effect.
i though it was pretty dang scary,
my eyes were down the whole dang time,
and i didnt really get the ending did Kristen live or die"?
it was confusing
but those maks will scar me for life,
kids under 15 MAKE SURE to bring a parent those make are damn creepy. =]
Posted by: Taylor on June 16, 2008 at 08:16:38
oh my gosh! I saw "The Strangers" yesterday and it was very scary! It was kinda pathetic at the end, I wanted to cry. (sorry if i'm ruining the ending for some of you) When the wife and husband were tied up and about to be killed, and they looked over at each other about to be murdered and said i love you to each other and the husband saw that she had her wedding ring on, it was the saddest!!! Then they killed the husband first, right in front of the wife and (i thought they were gonna leave her alive and let her cry over her dead man) then killed her. i thought it was sad but i liked it. good job!
Posted by: Johny on October 2, 2008 at 19:21:41
Look, I think it is obvious, there are no news or any information on public records about these murders,if they had happened they would have surely been aired on the radio or television, and newspapers would have written about it.
And family or friends would have a say in the matter or anyone with an interest. I don't think anyone would have turned down an opportunity to earn money, even at the expense of the memory of your loved ones.
Posted by: sue on October 23, 2008 at 15:19:41
I think it sucks to say it was true then you go and research to see if she lived and it is not. I feel that is false and unfair. The last thing we I want to think is when you go out camping that something like that might happen or might not. Why, because we have people like him writing scripts that are not true. That is why alot of people cannot take him seriously.
Posted by: Em on October 24, 2008 at 15:56:06
I thought it was the scariest movie I have ever seen, but I can not stand nights anymore. I have based my life on these "true events" and it sucks. This movie haunts me, it really does. It was very good though. One of the best I have seen yet. But I will not watch it again.
Posted by: Phil Good on October 31, 2008 at 22:50:27
I'm having a hard time understanding why people are upset that this film was based on, or inspired by, true events.
Was the film good? THAT is the question.
I, personally, could have done without the cheesy deep voice telling me this happened. Same with The Devil's Rejects. Give me a film and I'll decide for myself... or not.
Back to those who are getting bent outta shape over 'false advertising', I'd like to ask: Would you have only appreciated the film more if these events DID happen?! Are you saying you WANT to see the brutal slaying of a man and woman at the hands of psychopaths?
We go into horror flicks expecting to be scared. That is what horror flicks are for. If you want to see factual cinema, stick with documentaries...
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