It was time for “The Strangers” universe to unveil new projects. The psychological horror film series made a significant impact on contemporary cinema and remains a cult classic, despite being released less than two decades ago.
While many horror filmmakers were focused on creating paranormal productions, Bryan Bertino opted to revive the tropes of home invasion. Loosely based on the crimes of the Manson Family, the first picture quickly became a hit when it saw the light in 2008.
In 2022, the director announced plans for an independent trilogy within the franchise. These wouldn’t be remakes or reboots, but rather new stories that follow the same themes.
What is known about the upcoming trilogy of “The Strangers” so far?
The Strangers: Chapter 1
“The Strangers: Chapter 1” is set to hit theaters very soon! Lionsgate will host the premiere in L.A. on May 8, followed by a global release on May 17.
The film will follow Maya and Ryan as they embark on their journey to their new life together in the Pacific Northwest, only to have their car break down in the middle of the road. They are then forced to spend the night in an eerie Airbnb home, with three masked strangers lurking around them.
The cast includes Riverdale’s Madelaine Petsch in the lead role, who brings her previous experience in the genre from productions like “The Curse of Sleeping Beauty” and “Polaroid”. She is joined by Froy Gutierrez, Gabriel Basso, Rachel Senton, Richard Brake, and Ella Bruccoleri.
The Strangers: Chapter 2
According to IMDb, the second installment is already in post-production and is slated for release in the fall. It’s unlikely for the title to be delayed, considering Renny Harlin filmed all three movies during the same time period of 2022-2023, meaning they are either completed or nearing completion.
While no official plot details have been revealed, the director has indicated that the second and third parts of the new trilogy will delve into the identity and origins of the killers. It’s highly probable that this second movie was filmed from the perspective of the assailants.
However, there’s an intriguing aspect to note: Madelaine Petsch is set to reprise her role as Maya in this installment. She may revisit scenes from the previous movie to provide its story from the strangers’ point of view. Alternatively, she could still be alive, possibly aligned with those who were pursuing her or observing them from hiding.
The Strangers: Chapter 3
Although Lionsgate has been very clear about its intentions to release all three parts of “The Strangers” trilogy in 2024, it’s uncertain exactly when the third installment will arrive in the third quarter of the year. It’s likely to come out on Halloween, as the franchise will have amassed enough followers to compete against other titles released at that time.
As stated by Renny Harlin himself, this installment will conclude the trilogy. According to IMDb, Petsch will return once again, increasing the likelihood that her character survived and may play a role alongside the group of stalkers.
However, this won’t mark the end of the franchise. As the creator mentioned at Comic Con in October 2023, while this will conclude one cohesive story, there are solid plans to continue expanding the universe. The final installment will end with a cliffhanger, leaving doors open for other projects.
