Jan. 11, 2022|United States|62 Min.|n/A
Genre: Science;Fiction
Description: “Old Strangers” is a 2022 horror film with a sci-fi twist. The story begins when an injured stranger suddenly appears at a cabin, pleading for help, but soon becomes violent and disappears into the night. The film is relatively short, with a runtime of just over an hour, including credits, which allows for a fast-paced narrative. The initial twenty minutes are particularly intense, with Danny’s sting wound appearing severely infected.
However, the momentum slows significantly when two characters spend an extended period wandering through the woods, accompanied by repetitive shots of the dark forest and rising moon. Had these scenes been trimmed, the film could have been condensed to around forty-five minutes. Despite this padding, the storytelling remains effective, though the plot developments feel predictable, with familiar tropes like strange behavior, disappearing characters, and escalating tensions.
While the film lacks graphic gore, it offers impressive visuals, including shots of an asteroid traveling through space and creatively framed nature scenes using tilt-shift photography. These elements make the film feel like a showcase for cinematography and visual effects rather than a purely narrative-driven piece. The score, composed by Zane Guidon, stands out with its early Nine Inch Nails-inspired sound, adding an unexpected layer of quality. This is a welcome surprise, especially considering Guidon’s previous work on the poorly received found-footage film *Episode 50*.
Overall, “Old Strangers” delivers a decent horror experience but falls short in originality and pacing, leaning heavily on well-worn genre conventions.
Cast director: Nick Gregorio
Cast actor: Ted Evans, Nick Gregorio, Madeleine Humphries, Colton Eschief Mastro, Andy Riesmeyer
Original name: Old Strangers