"The Strangers : Chapter 3" can't escape threequel curse

The final chapter in director Renny Harlin’s reboot trilogy of “The Strangers” has arrived with “The Strangers: Chapter 3.” The sequel, “The Strangers: Chapter 2,” is also now in theaters, distributed by Lionsgate. Alan R. Cohen and Alan Freedland return to write the screenplay, which is based on characters created by Bryan Bertino.

This final installment opens with a flashback to another unsuspecting tourist falling victim to the Pin-Up Girl before reuniting us with our heroine, Maya (Madelaine Petsch), who seeks refuge in a church after the events of the second film. Gregory (Gabriel Basso), also known as Scarecrow, finds her but decides to let her go for now. However, she is quickly caught by Sheriff Rotte (Richard Brake), and she must summon all her courage for a final fight. Meanwhile, Maya’s sister, Debbie (Rachel Shenton), her husband, Howard (George Young), and their bodyguard, Marcus (Miles Yekinni), have traveled to the town of Venus to locate Maya.

Cinephiles are all too familiar with the “threequel curse.” Now, there’s an argument that since “The Strangers” reboot was intended to be one film, news has emerged about a “supercut” release that will combine the three films in the trilogy into one epic movie.

That said, “The Strangers: Chapter 3” takes the easy route, which arguably detracts from the film as a whole. While I enjoyed learning more about the killers’ backstory and motivations, I almost wished Harlin had focused more on it throughout most of the film, bringing Maya back only for the last half hour. I found myself more invested in their background than in watching Maya fight for her life again.

The introduction of new characters is solely for body count, and they add no real merit to the story. Madelaine Petsch slips back into the role of Maya with ease, but it does seem like she’s phoning it in at times. The film’s stronger performances come from Richard Brake and Gabriel Basso. Renny Harlin tries his best to make the film work, but it has an overall “been there, done that” vibe.

While “The Strangers: Chapter 3” isn’t a total train wreck, it can’t escape the dreaded threequel curse.

Final Grade: C –

“The Strangers: Chapter 3” is in theaters now.