The Strangers: Chapter 1 is the first installment of a new horror trilogy directed by Renny Harlin, released in theaters on May 17, 2024. It has since been followed by The Strangers: Chapter 2 (September 26, 2025) and The Strangers: Chapter 3 (February 6, 2026), which closed out the trilogy. Below is everything confirmed about who scored The Strangers: Chapter 1, the real songs used in the film, and how critics and audiences responded once it was released.
The film recreates the premise of the original 2008 The Strangers, a home-invasion horror film written and directed by Bryan Bertino and starring Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman. Chapter 1 is not a direct sequel to that film but a “requel” that follows a new couple through the same setup.
Chapter One of The Strangers is directed by Renny Harlin, who previously worked on “Die Hard 2,” “Cliffhanger,” and “The Long Kiss Goodnight,” among other projects. Harlin shot all three chapters of the new trilogy back to back, later telling press it was “the challenge of a lifetime” — jumping between different chapters of the story on the same day of shooting to keep continuity across the trilogy.
The film’s main stars include Madelaine Petsch, Froy Gutierrez, Rachel Shenton, Gabriel Basso, Richard Brake, Ema Horvath, and Ella Bruccoleri. According to IMDb, the story follows a young couple driving cross-country toward a new beginning who are forced to stop at a secluded Airbnb in Oregon — and endure a night of terror at the hands of three masked strangers.
Quick Facts
| Title | The Strangers: Chapter 1 |
| Genre/Type | Horror, Slasher |
| Director | Renny Harlin |
| Composers | Justin Caine Burnett and Òscar Senén |
| Release Date | May 17, 2024 (theatrical, Lionsgate) |
| Where to Watch | Digital/VOD and Blu-ray; check Apple TV, Prime Video, and Vudu for rental/purchase |
| Status | Released — first of a completed trilogy (Chapter 2, 2025; Chapter 3, 2026) |
Who Composed The Strangers: Chapter 1 Soundtrack?
Justin Caine Burnett composed the score for The Strangers: Chapter 1, alongside co-composer Òscar Senén. Burnett began his career working for Hans Zimmer at Media Ventures from 1995 to 2000, contributing to films including Broken Arrow, As Good as It Gets, The Prince of Egypt, The Road to El Dorado, and Gladiator. He later scored Dungeons & Dragons (2000) and has continued working alongside composer Harry Gregson-Williams since 2000. Burnett is also credited on The Equalizer (2014) and After (2019). Senén worked as orchestrator on the score alongside Burnett.
Every Song in The Strangers: Chapter 1
| Song | Artist | Notes |
| Trouble | Cage the Elephant | From the 2015 album Tell Me I’m Pretty; featured in the trailer and film. Genre: Alternative/Indie. |
Beyond that licensed track, the rest of the film relies on Burnett and Senén’s original score rather than a needle-drop soundtrack, which is typical for the slasher genre.
Where to Stream The Strangers: Chapter 1
The Strangers: Chapter 1 is available to rent or buy digitally on Apple TV, Prime Video, and Vudu, and on physical Blu-ray/DVD. The film’s score by Justin Caine Burnett and Òscar Senén is available on streaming audio platforms including Apple Music and Spotify, alongside score suites for Chapter 2 and Chapter 3.
Official Trailer:
Cast
- Madelaine Petsch as Maya
- Froy Gutierrez as Ryan
- Rachel Shenton
- Gabriel Basso
- Richard Brake
- Ema Horvath
- Ella Bruccoleri
Reception Since Release
The Strangers: Chapter 1 opened to a poor critical reception, debuting on Rotten Tomatoes at 21% from critics (the lowest of the franchise) against a much higher 45% audience Popcornmeter score. The Critics Consensus called it “boring, uninventive, and painfully sterilized” compared to the original 2008 film. Despite the reviews, the film performed well enough commercially that Lionsgate moved forward with Chapter 2 (2025) and Chapter 3 (2026), completing the trilogy Renny Harlin shot back-to-back.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who composed the score for The Strangers: Chapter 1?
Justin Caine Burnett composed the score, with Òscar Senén serving as co-composer/orchestrator. Burnett previously worked with Hans Zimmer at Media Ventures in the late 1990s and has scored films including Dungeons & Dragons, The Equalizer, and After.
What song plays in The Strangers: Chapter 1 trailer?
“Trouble” by Cage the Elephant, from their 2015 album Tell Me I’m Pretty, plays in the trailer and appears in the film.
Is The Strangers: Chapter 1 connected to the 2008 original film?
It shares the same title and premise as Bryan Bertino’s 2008 film starring Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman, but Chapter 1 is a separate “requel” with new characters, not a direct sequel or remake of that story.
How did critics and audiences respond to The Strangers: Chapter 1?
It debuted at 21% on Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer, the lowest of the franchise, though audiences rated it somewhat higher at 45%. It was still successful enough for Lionsgate to release Chapter 2 in 2025 and Chapter 3 in 2026.
Is the Strangers trilogy finished now?
Yes. The trilogy Renny Harlin shot back-to-back concluded with The Strangers – Chapter 3, released in the U.S. by Lionsgate on February 6, 2026, following Chapter 2’s September 2025 release.
Related reading: Movie Soundtracks, Prime Video, Apple TV+
(Sources: Variety, IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, Wikipedia)