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philochlos44
Reviews
When Strangers Appear (2001)
Pointless, Gimmicky and Cheap
"When Strangers Appear" is problematic in many ways. It is the kind of movie after which a viewer often feels duped. The plot is secondary to the action. Characters are introduced for the sole purpose of confusing the viewer. I enjoy suspense movies, but this offering hardly lives up to the movie part of that formula. It is nothing but a vehicle for shocking-if unexplained and probably unexplainable-imagery. Of course, these scenes don't really advance the story as such, which is actually a superficial structure laid on top of a series of cheap cliffhangers. This movie is not absurdist (Pasolini would twirl in his grave if that label were ever applied to this picture) but just absurd. I can't believe a producer gave this script the green light.