History YMMV / TheStrangers

* SignatureScene: The sequence with Kristin in the kitchen while behind her, the Baghead stranger stands ominously behind her followed by him closing a door offscreen, deliberately meant to rattle her. Even critics of the movie acknowledged that it was a scene worthy of ''{{Film/Halloween|1978}}''.

* FandomRivalry: As mentioned on the trivia page, at the time of release, there was this with the ''{{Film/Vacancy}}'' series which featured a similar premise. Fans of Vacancy preferred it’s more dialogue-heavy, action-based and forward-moving plot, while fans of The Strangers preferred it’s less-is-more minimalist style.

* HarsherInHindsight: It’s weird that there are no neighbors or anything around to hear what’s going on. Yes, the house is in a remote location but the fact that it’s off a two-way street would indicate that it’s not ''that'' remote. At first this seems like a plot device; however, if their ''modus operandi'' in the [[TheStrangersPreyAtNight sequel]] is any indication, the strangers may have broken in and killed all the neighbors before zeroing in on Kristin and James.

* SignatureScene: The sequence with Kristin in the kitchen while behind her, the Baghead stranger stands ominously behind her followed by him closing a door offscreen, deliberately meant to rattle her. Even critics of the movie acknowledged that it was a scene worthy of ''{{Film/Halloween}}''.

* SpiritualSuccessor: Fans of the movie argue it’s the best remake to ''{{Film/Halloween}}'' ever produced and captures the spirit of the 1978 classic (masked killer(s) stalk and terrorize young people for no discernible reason, etc.)) far better than any of its sequels.

** Near the end of the movie, the killers stop their truck beside some boys handing out Mormon pamphlets so Dollface can ask for one, and when asked if she's a sinner she says, [[{{Understatement}} "Sometimes."]] Did she do that simply to screw with the boys, out of morbid curiosity, or because [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone she was feeling guilty about what she'd done and looking for a way to process it]]? Inasmuch as the movie has a position it seems to lean more towards the latter than the other two, namely Pin-Up Girl's assurance that "[[ItGetsEasier It'll be easier next time.]]" [[spoiler: This ''does'' seem to be the case considering how apathetic Dollface acts in [[Film/TheStrangersPreyAtNight in the sequel]] and the difference in her tone when confronted about her actions]].
*** The killers had the suggestive appearance of a cult, and Pin-Up Girl's line indicates that the killing was Dollface's initiation. She did take the lead on the psychological part of the attack.

** James became a DeathSeeker on some level by the 3rd act. Notice how in the [[spoiler: unmasking scene, Kristin is struggling to break free whereas he seems almost uninterested and bored by what’s going on. Kristin rejecting his marriage proposal already broke him, but him killing his best friend pushed him over the edge. Even if they do escape, which seems less and less likely, he will likely face consequences for what happened to Mike- any mutual acquaintances and friends would severe ties with him, he would be ostracized and possibly even face jail time]]. The knowledge of this sent him into a depression in the second half of the movie where he became more concerned with taking out as many assailants as possible before inevitably dying himself.
*** Alternatively, he became motivated by revenge. There’s literally nothing stopping them from just making a run for it- with a shotgun, they don’t even have to worry about the strangers mowing them down, with a gun they can shoot any hostile drivers. Instead, he makes the almost insane decision to go after a radio in a barn and leaves Kristin alone despite the intense danger.

** Because he’s the only one not to speak in this film or the sequel, there are a lot of theories about Bag Head. Is he leader of the group, just brute muscle or something in-between? Is he Pin-Up’s consort/Doll-Face’s father? [[MurderArsonandJaywalking Is he really struggling to breath in his mask or is it just something to unnerve his victims?]]

* SpiritualSuccessor: Fans of the movie argue it’s the best remake to ''{{Film/Halloween}}'' ever produced and captures the spirit of the 1978 classic (masked killer(s) stalk and terrorize young people for no discernable reason, etc.)) far better than any of its’ sequels.
* UnintentionalPeriodPiece: The film was made- and presumably takes place in- the early 2000s, back when cellphones needed to be at least somewhat charged to make a call and it wasn’t terribly common for vacation homes to have cameras or home alert systems. Nowadays, Kristin could’ve made a 9/11 call almost immediately after plugging her phone in and it’s highly unlikely a house as big as the one they’re staying in wouldn’t have security systems. In short, this film came out at the last possible time it would’ve been at least somewhat feasible for the story to take place.

* HarsherInHindsight: It’s weird that there are no neighbors or anything around to hear what’s going on. Yes, the house is in a remote location but the fact that it’s off a two-way street would indicate that it’s not ''that'' remote. At first this seems like a plot device; however, if the [[StrangersPreyAtNight sequel]] is any indication, the strangers may have broken in and killed all the neighbors before zeroing in on Kristin and James.

* SignatureScene: The sequence with Kristin in the kitchen while behind her, the Baghead stranger stands ominously behind her followed by him closing a door offscreen, deliberately meant to rattle her. Even critics of the movie acknowledged that it was a scene worthy of {{Film/Halloween}}