‘Old Strangers’ VOD Review
Stars: Ted Evans, Madeleine Humphries, Colton Eschief Mastro | Written and Directed by Nick Gregorio
Writer/director Nick Gregorio brings us another post-pandemic horror in Old Strangers, which sees Sarah, Michael, and Danny rekindling their friendship in a secluded mountain town after a long bout of government mandated lockdown, only to be confronted with the harsh realities of their relationships. While out for a hike, the trio stumble upon something dark and terrible in the deep woods.
Three friends? In a cabin in the woods? Could that be any more cliched? Whilst that core premise is something we’ve seen plenty of times before, Old Strangers places that cliche into a modern setting – referencing not only the pandemic but a myriad of other pop culture references. Which all might date the film in the long run but also add a more “human” edge to this terror tale.
We can all relate to not seeing our friends during lockdowns and feeling awkward when we can once again be social. It’s something Old Strangers taps into very well. And that title. How apt is that title? These characters have been apart, been through things during the pandemic that they haven’t told each other; experienced trauma, loss, etc. They may be old friends but after such a long time apart have they become strangers to one another?
Danny, who gets “bitten” by the strange objects / plants / insects the trio find in the woods starts acting weird and his finger – the site of the bite – becomes infected and gross. Danny also starts fighting with his friends, something not typical for him. However is it the infection, the mental toll that the pandemic and isolation have taken on him, or is it something else? Something evil, something alien…
Speaking of alien, Old Strangers also brilliantly describes the plot of the film too – which echoes that of Invasion of the Body Snatchers, with the film explaining that those weird objects in the woods are similar to the alien pods of that story. It’s a superb use of a double-meaning in the title and one that shows writer/director Nick Gregorio really put some thought into his film.
Only running just over an hour, Old Strangers doesn’t outstay its welcome, there’s no padding of the story – a story may I add that feels remarkably real despite the alien invasion sub-plot – and goes out on top, ending on a high. A downbeat high, but a high nonetheless.
**** 4/5
Definitely a film to seek out, Old Strangers will be released on digital in North America by Gravitas Ventures on January 11th.
