The Stangers 2008

With so much horror in these days descending into mere Torture Porn i.e. Saw, Hostel, it was so refreshing to see The Strangers use simplicity to such a savage effect. There is no copious amounts of blood, there is no gore by any stretch and it is nice to see a film going back to the roots of the genre and not confusing gory with scary. It is not the most original of set-ups but it doesn't matter because it is done so perfectly. Inspired by numerous events, including the Manson murders and the director's own childhood experiences involving a stranger coming to his home and asking for someone who was not there, the film is so quiet and slow and builds up tension like a tightrope. Every time the strangers appear it is so brilliant, just standing quietly in the background, barely visible except for those expressionless masks.
Some have complained about the back story, but I must disagree as I think it adds to the desperation and situation of the protagonists. At the beginning of the film we see them arrive at a secluded cabin but something is definitely wrong between them. The cabin is decorated beautifully with rose petals and candles, and we soon learn that while attending a wedding the man proposes to the woman only to be rejected and that is where we join them.
The attacks come slowly and subtly at first, knocks on the door, the moving of objects and the first contact with the strangers was so great: Doll Face, without her mask, has unscrewed the front porch light to keep her face shrouded and knocks on the door and ask for Tamara. It is so creepy and effective and sets such a surreal tone for the rest of the film as it descends into complete madness.
There is no reason for the attacks, when asked why they are doing these things they simply reply with "because you were home," which is so much more terrifying because it puts forth to you that these people do not care who you are and they do not care what you say, they are merely out to have fun. And that fun is psychological torture and your eventual death and because of that knowledge, that dread, the collapse into desperation and hysteria is palpable; there is no escape for they have thought of everything. And just before we get the Carrie-esque ending, that last frightening gasp, we are treated to a setting calm and serene and dialogue so vulnerable and self-aware.
"are you a sinner?"
"sometimes."