The Strays

I clicked on The Strays knowing nothing about it, and i'm glad I did as I think the preconception of it being terribly acted/scripted would have dampened my viewing experience. Yes, there are flaws here but I don't think these are down to the actors abilities, so much as a mismatch of direction, staging and direction. It felt like it didn't know what it wanted to be. Was it a horror? Was it a gritty british itv drama? Was it low budget? High concept? It seemed to travel through all those identities and didn't seem to settle until the crescendo at the end of it being a horror thriller....kind of.

Having now read that the writer wanted to portray Neve as a multi layered character, neither good nor bad, I can make sense of what they were trying to achieve. The actors did the best with what they presented, but unfortunately there was a bizarre mix of surreal and realism that just became confusing. I couldn't help but think 'is this trying to be Get Out lite but got lost on the way?'. Also characters needed fleshing out a little. Details were scant apart from a mention of a stay in a psychiatric unit, children being 'got rid of', and a maybe abusive relationship. There was no explanation as to how Neve had achieved her position, or what her intentions were at key moments.

Saying all this, I'm glad I watched The Strays. It kept me gripped, I was interested in the subject matter, it just failed in a consistent tone or a fully rounded narrative sadly.

This movie starts off with 35 minutes of pointlessness. A well off housewife stressed out and concerned. That's act 1. I don't want to write spoilers here so I'll just tell you it doesn't get better, it gets worse and worse and worse.

The plot holes are massive. I mean you would have to suspend all reality of society to believe some of the things that occur to set up the "story" or "plot" or whatever this thing is.

The "plot" is allegorical and so basic. Why do films like this even get made? How do scripts like this get financed? Black mail? I don't get it. Even the acting isn't great.

There are other parts where you will just shake your head and ask: Why. That's the main question. This is utter nonsense. Unless you're into watching a plot that moves in ways that confuse you and make you annoyed, I would avoid this movie. Not good. 3/10.

From the trailer I thought that this maybe a supernatural film with a twist, you get the twist I guess, but it was not what I expected.

Not one to read reviews and jump on the negative bandwagon, but I found the " Neve " character hard to stomach with her over polite correctness front, however, Ashley Madekwe played this role very well, you really did grow to hate her has the film went on, which I believe was the directors/scriptwriters aim.

I think the element of surprise has to the identity of the "strays" thankfully is explained sooner than later, and again Bukky Bakray and Jordan Myrie were excellent playing this out.

Maybe might appeal more to a british audience, just my take on this film.

I watched it out of curiosity because my dad left when I was young and never tried to contact me. After I had a son I wondered what would drive a parent to just disappear. Really cold. I would move mountains to see my son. I would move to differant countries just to be near him. Anyway, back on track...I never felt the way these kids did. I just never gave my dad a thought. A lot of complaints have been made about the ending but I could not have thought of a better one. I took two seconds, waited for the movie to resume, then burst out laughing. As comical as it was, it was so ironic that the ending itself deserves 10 stars. Though the movie is slightly predictable, it was worth the watch just to see the ending.

I think the confusion about this flick is that it's actually supposed to be the way it is.

I experienced a weird feeling watching it.

The main character is so constantly flustered by by her own perceptions of what should be versus what isn't versus internal guilt and manifested external rage...that it's actually remarkably crafty how indiscreet the acting is. If this makes sense.

That being said, I don't think it quiets get there and there are some farcical extended moments of doldrum that keep it from being a really good film.

I watched it to the end to see what happens and there is closure, so in my books the story was told. It is sort of creepy, more a thriller than anything else.