The Strangers is a horror film directed by Bryan Bertino and released in 2008. The movie stars Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman as Kristen McKay and James Hoyt, respectively, a couple who are staying in an isolated vacation house after attending a wedding reception.
The film begins with a shot of a desolate road in the countryside at night, as a voiceover explains that the events that will follow are based on true events. The couple arrives at the vacation home, where they begin to bicker and argue about their relationship. Suddenly, there is a knock on the door.
Kristen asks who it is, but there is no response. She looks through the peephole and sees nothing but darkness. The knocking continues, and eventually, James goes to answer the door. When he opens it, he finds a young woman standing there. She asks if "Tamara" is home, and when James tells her she has the wrong house, she leaves.
Shortly thereafter, the knocking resumes. James goes outside to investigate, only to find that the strangers who were knocking now have their faces covered with masks. James is attacked and knocked unconscious, while Kristen hides in the house.
The three masked intruders, who are known only as Dollface, Pin-Up Girl, and The Man in the Mask, terrorize the couple throughout the night, playing sinister games with them and taunting them with their presence. Kristen and James fight back, but they are outnumbered and outmatched.
As the night wears on, the couple learns that the strangers are not after them for any specific reason - they are simply opportunistic killers who enjoy tormenting their victims before murdering them. With no police or neighbors nearby to help, Kristen and James must overcome their fear and fight for their lives.
The Strangers was a commercial success, earning more than $82 million worldwide on a budget of just $9 million. The film was praised for its tension, atmosphere, and use of suspense to create a sense of dread. Many critics and audiences also praised the performances of Tyler and Speedman, who were able to convey the terror and desperation of their characters amid the chaos of the unfolding attack.