Good story, Not enough for a whole film

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

I read that this is based on a real life story. My question is why Alex why?! Did you play this disturbed character. That has no value exempt being off. I kept thinking this doesn't make any sense. Then it was over.

I like atmospheric. I like edgy. I like esoteric. I just don't like to be bludgeoned into a stupor with it. That's what watching the mega-weird murder mystery drama "The Strange Ones" conspired to do to me.The only remotely redeeming aspects to recommend here is the spooky score by a pair of killer flutists and the performance of the great character actor Gene Jones. The rest of this plodding trash can be tossed deep into that creepy cave and abandoned.

The portrayal of a boy named Sam, and his supposed older brother, Nick, are on the run when Sam's father is murdered and then the home set a blaze to cover the tracks.Through out the journey, clue begin to reveal themselves like that of a Russian nesting doll. By the time you get to the final piece of this murder mystery, it all becomes too clear: looks are deceiving in who you think is responsible.There was a lot of suggestive scene play on nodding in directions of what was really happening. The layers being peeled back, one after the other, gave insight to the thought process of Sam. A few key things, which connected as a trail of breadcrumbs. It's how you end up realizing why Sam, even though a boy, was twisted with rage and denial into a self destructive sociopath on the verge of pulling a Dexter like mentality by the end of the film. From the questioning of the coffee cups existence to his memory flashbacks, it's no wonder by the end you could see it coming from a mile away.Nick's character, portrayed by the ever talented Alex Pettyfer, really helped shape the scenes throughout the film. From his approach in subtle, yet effective, expressing care towards Sam to his confrontations with the boy, really displayed a delivery that helped divert the viewer from ever knowing early on who was responsible for the murder and fire. There were moments you began to question if Pettyfer's character was the shadow of an antagonist, that ends up turning around by a pivotal moment revealing Freedson-Jackson to be the darker force.There are those who complained about the very end and it's easily showing Sam doing what Nick had said about the cave at the same age when he ran away. But it's also pointing out silently where Nick was last and Sam revisiting the location to bid farewell. The only issue, it's due to viewers who might get confused easily, the transition of the two last parts where it didn't hint at it being a flashback scene when Sam goes to sit down to talk about his nightmares. There it's revealing what really happened. Sort of just jumped right into it without even a real hint till you saw what was going on. Overall, it's a highly underrated film, which touched on some dark aspects in the human psyche with more visual directive approaches and equally based scripted dialogue. Fully recommend this to all those who enjoy a thrilling indie flick that has a surprised ending twist!

A typical story about child molestation and abduction with a twist of Stockholm Syndrome. It seemed really easy to follow with no true twists or turns. The acting was great by everyone in the movie, the ending was predictable and if the watcher pays attention to the pool scene they will understand or at least puzzle together the ending beforehand. The short with the same title is a bit more easier to follow with slight changes/differences (kid supposedly has concerned parents). Ultimately, the movie closes the ideas presented and the ending is as expected. We recommend this movie for people to have patience to watch. We turned away more than once and we were able to follow the movie. Comes to mind (for movie not short): "What would you do for love?" Have Fun...