Horror movies have become a very popular category of film in America. From the goriest most gruesome scenes to the ones that have so much suspense you're gripping the edge of your seat clinging on to see what happens next. All horror movies are different in their own right, but like most things there are superb horror movies and inadequate ones. On that note,the movie The Strangers greatly exceeds the average scary movie due to its storyline, sound effects and the acting.

The storyline in The Strangers is exceptional. The relationship between the two main characters is something about this movie that makes it even more heartbreaking. This couple was returning home from a wedding where the guy had proposed and the girl declined. Due to this the couple throughout this story does not work together or stay together while their house is being broken into and they are being harassed. This story between them and how they’re separated just makes you want to jump into the movie and shake the characters to work together. Once the “strangers” are introduced this adds more dimension to the story. These people are torturing this innocent couple. The couple is trying to escape their house and get away but these strangers have already broken their phones, their car, their power gets turned off and there are traps set up around their yard. You really start to feel for this couple and become attached to the characters going through such a cruel experience. Along with this you begin asking why would all this be happening to such an innocent couple, there must be a reason. At the end of this movie we find out it was purely because the couple was home, at the right place at the right time. This adds a very real sense to this movie and gives you chills down your spine and a sense of paranoia for the rest of the day.

The special effects adds so much depth to the overall movie. The camera angles in this film allow the viewer to sense the emotion of the characters. For instance in the beginning scene the camera doesn't show the couple together in the same frame and without any words being said by the actors you can sense the tension and separation between the two characters. Along with that the sound effects really add to the suspense. There are points in the movie where the only sounds are birds and crickets chirping. This adds again, a sense of true reality almost like you’re in the movie. There are a few times in the movie where there is chaos and loud music playing for a period of time and then silence. This really puts you on the edge of your seat and leaves you there  with the silence. A final example, is a message from the producer that in short explains that the movie is based on true events that have happened and a statistic about how many violent crimes there are in America. This makes you feel as though this could happen to you and that there could be a good chance of this happening to you. These special effects are one of the main aspects that make this movie exceptionally good.

The acting in this movie adds much more value to this movie then a typical horror movie. The “strangers” are silent throughout most of the movie. Their acting simply comes from their actions and not how they can convey lines. This makes the movie much more frightening because the silence adds this theme of the unknown. Along with this the main actors are able to convey their characters emotions without overdoing it. They are able to truly make it believable. For example, there is a scene where the main male character accidentally kills his friend, his reaction is shock and silence not screaming at the top of his lungs.

Due to the storyline, special effects, and acting the movie The Strangers exceeds the normal horror movie. Horror movies can have a profound effect on us despite their aspect of fiction. This movie certainly will make you more paranoid about the evil in this world and double check to make sure your doors are locked.