The South by Southwest festivals in Austin, Texas, have been ongoing for over a week. An unexpected surprise event unfolded when the notorious masked characters from the film franchise, The Strangers, appeared on the scene. This eye-catching promotional gimmick was part of the build-up for Lionsgate’s forthcoming release, ‘The Strangers: Chapter 1’, set to hit theaters on May 17th.
Key Takeaways:
– South by Southwest Festival sees a promotional event for the upcoming Lionsgate film, ‘The Strangers: Chapter 1’
– Characters from the film franchise were seen at Austin locations such as The Glass Coffin and The Driskill.
– Lionsgate has planned a trilogy filmed by Renny Harlin, with the sequels scheduled to release by the year’s end.
– Notable cast members include Madelaine Petsch, Froy Gutierrez, Rachel Shenton, Gabriel Basso, and Ema Horvath.
– The film was shot in Slovakia and features a chilling narrative of terror involving a young couple in a remote Airbnb.
– The sequels will delve deeper into both the victims and perpetrators of such violence.
Strangers Sightings in Austin
For those unfamiliar with the plot, The Strangers showcases tension-fueled terror with masked characters, notorious for instilling fear among audiences. This time, they were spotted lurking around various Austin landmarks, sparking both curiosity and excitement. The unique locations included The Glass Coffin, the Museum of the Weird, and The Driskill. Fans and followers will find pictures of their masked menace at the end of the article.
Reviving the Strangers Trilogy
Lionsgate and director Renny Harlin have jointly revived The Strangers franchise, turning it into a trilogy that was filmed back-to-back. The audience can expect the following sequels, ‘The Strangers: Chapter 2’ and ‘The Strangers: Chapter 3’, to conclude by the end of this year.
About the Cast: Star-Studded Ensemble
The Strangers: Chapter 1 boasts an impressive ensemble of seasoned and rising stars. Madelaine Petsch, known for her performance in Riverdale, headlines the cast. She is accompanied by Froy Gutierrez (Cruel Summer), Rachel Shenton (All Creatures Great and Small), Gabriel Basso (Hillbilly Elegy), and Ema Horvath (The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power).
Behind the Dread: The Plot for Strangers: Chapter 1
The plot revolves around Petsch’s character as she embarks on a new journey with her long-term boyfriend, played by Gutierrez. They venture across the country to establish a fresh chapter of their lives in the Pacific Northwest. After an unforeseen car breakdown in Venus, Oregon, they are forced into a night of terror at a secluded Airbnb, haunted by three masked strangers from dusk to dawn. Lionsgate has a plan to expand the narrative of these characters in fresh and surprising directions in the following sequels.
Behind the Scenes: Production Team
The trilogy was filmed in Slovakia and produced by an experienced team comprising Courtney Solomon, Mark Canton, Christopher Milburn, Gary Raskin, Charlie Dombeck, and Alastair Birlingham. Serving as the executive producers are Andrei Boncea, Dorothy Canton, and Roy Lee, and co-producing are Rafaella Biscayn, Frame Film SK, Johanna Harlin, Juan Garcia Peredo, and Alberto Burgueno.
Director Renny Harlin explains that ‘The Strangers: Chapter 1’ mirrors the original film’s essence, focusing on a young couple trapped in a house during a random home invasion under isolated circumstances. Conversely, Chapters 2 and 3 will delve into the psychological aftermath for the victims and the perpetrators of this violence – their origins, rationale, and future.
Are you ready to face The Strangers: Chapter 1 and its sequels? Leave a comment below. And before you continue your exploration, feast your eyes on the images of the Strangers in Austin, clearly marking their territory during SXSW.
