Is Lionsgate taking the ultimate gamble with the release of their new The Strangers trilogy?
Evidently, yes. Director Renny Harlin offered a surprising update as he promoted the film at New York Comic-Con October 13th.
Whilst we’ve known for some time that The Strangers: Chapter One was complete over a year ago, what we did not know was that all three films were shot back-to-back.
Yes, that’s right, there are three Strangers movies complete and ready to hit screens.
According to director Renny Harlin, Lionsgate plan to release the films in a similar back-to-back manner throughout 2024.
However, this does beg the question, are the studio taking a huge risk completing the films all at once, rather than waiting to see how the first chapter performs? This strategy certainly puts a lot of pressure on Chapter One to strike the right chord with audiences and make a killing at the box-office.
To that end, Harlin is sure these films have something the previous two did not, a much deeper focus on the characters and a greater sense of continuity, as each one will pick up where the other left off. As we reported previously, Chapter One will follow many of the same beats as the 2008 original, but Harlin has been very persistent in stressing the two following films will blaze a new path.
Rather than repeating the same home invasion terror format we’re used to, Harlin stressed Chapter 2 and Chapter 3 will focus much more on the characters. Specifically, how the victims process such a horrifying crime, and why the perpetrators choose to commit them.
This is a very ambitious plan, indeed, and we’re very curious to see if it yields the results Lionsgate are hoping for.
The Strangers: Chapter One will follow a young couple trekking across America. When their car breaks down in rural Oregon, they are forced to spend the night at an isolated AirB’n’B. Their night devolves into a fight for survival as they’re set upon by three masked home invaders.
Chapter One does not currently have a release date, but we know for certain it is coming in 2024. We will report a solid date as soon as we have one.
