From a writer’s point of view, this film was pretty weak. This particular version takes a robbery/homicide and turns it into a sadistic piece of slightly predictable nightmare. Liv Tyler, gorgeous as always, takes on the role of scream queen as she and her estranged boyfriend attempt to ward off psychotic attacks from Strangers. The Strangers, are apparently drifters with an excruciatingly sadistic streak. After some moments of tension, the plot breaks, and everyone dies. Basically.
For a horror film, I’d say everything is done right. The characters have a measure of depth. They have a backstory, a motivation. The friend who shows up just to add to the body count has a legitimate reason for being there. Structurally, it was a well crafted film.
There were moments of true tension, supported by some chilling cinematography. However, if you’re looking for a plot or depth of substance, you won’t find it here. This is ultimately just a slow moving slasher film, now matter how well constructed it was.