Overview
LET US PREY
A family’s road trip takes a dangerous turn when they arrive at a secluded mobile home park to stay with some relatives and find it mysteriously deserted. Under the cover of darkness, three masked psychopaths pay them a visit to test the family’s every limit as they struggle to survive.
Review
Exactly six years after this film was released theatrically, I’ve finally watched it. Rule: sequels are never as good…this is true of the vast majority of franchises out there. This a rule I stick by, which is also why it took me six long years to bother with this film. It is also an exception to that rule.
The Strangers: Prey At Night shocked me at its quality. Never did I expect this film to land in my top-20 horror movies of all time, but today it’s nestled quite high on that very list. This film just doesn’t mess around. It elevates almost everything from The Strangers which was already a 4-star movie in my opinion. The movie wasted no time in getting down to business. A quick road trip where you really got to know the family and care about them, then boom!, dismantling begins. The villains were more terrifying, the kills more original, brutal and interesting. It was beautifully shot in an abandoned trailer park which was eerie as hell. And the pool scene was pure horror brilliance.
And sign me up for the Bailee Madison fan club! Wow, she kills it in this film! Someone sign her for a dozen or more horror films now. I was impressed how convincing she was, her fear and dread visibly palpable throughout the film. I’ve seen her before in the Adam Sandler/Jennifer Aniston film Just Go With It, but she shines in the genre of horror. The entire cast was first-rate. Except for Uncle Marv. His character was rather lifeless. 😉
There were so many scenes in this film that stood out. Johannes Roberts, the director, was not even on my radar, which is another reason I put off watching this movie. Now I’m definitely watching his next horror movie. It is a crime that when posting this review, it only has a 2.7-star average rating on Letterboxd. I must be following the right people on Letterboxd because my friends averaged much higher at 3.4 stars.
I can’t wait for the trilogy reboot to start beginning later this year!
Rating: ★★★★½ (out of 5)
