'The Stranger' leaves unanswered questions

The Stranger (2020)

Starring: Helen Crevel, Richard Boland, Mark Topping, and Kieron Attwood
Director: Alexander Dunn
Rating: Six of Ten Stars

After the mysterious disappearance of her father (Topping), Kate (Crevel) and her husband (Boland) return to the house she grew up in, the last place he was known to be. The trip intended to put affairs in order instead results in the revelation of secrets and a descent into terror.



"The Stranger" has an air about it of a psychological thriller/supernatural horror movie from the 1950s or 1960s. The atmosphere is mostly one of underplayed dread, and the true nature of the supernatural (or superscientific?) horror at play in the story remains in question until... well, in the case of this film, until the very end and beyond.

While I could rightfully criticize this film for weak sound mixing, second-rate sound effects, wooden acting, and lackluster camerawork and lighting that doesn't take advantage of the black-and-white media, I'd only be doing it because I want more! And I want more in a good way.

Some films end with the viewer feeling unsatisfied, with a "That's It?" sensation. You'll be saying "That's It?" at the end of this one, too, but it'll not because you're unsatisfied, it's because you'll want to know what happens next. For all of its technical weak spots, "The Stranger" has such an interesting story and leaves so many mysteries and unanswered questions as the end credits flick by on the screen (and even adds one during those credits) that the only disappointment you'll feel is that it's over and those questions are left for you to imagine the answers to.

"The Stranger" is available for viewing on YouTube, and I am embedding it here for your convenience. If you have 15 minutes of free time, I recommend checking it out. And if you have a few additional spare moments, you can leave a comment below to let your fellow readers know if I've steered you right or wrong with suggesting this neat little film.