What Is the Story About?
The film follows Neve, a light skinned black woman who leads a peaceful life in a suburb with her family. She has a successful job at a private school. When she finds a strange man and woman appear strangely at odd moments, she starts to doubt her sanity. The Pandora’s box open to un-confronted truths and unbelievable lies and Neve finds it hard to hold on her own.
Performances?
Despite having a strong cast, the film belongs to Ashley Madekwe. She impeccable swings through the duality of Neve and Cheryl. Her ability to make the audience loathe her character and equally feel for her even during unlikely situations is praiseworthy.
Analysis
Written and Directed by Nathaniel Martello White, in his feature film debut, The Strays tries to bring a horror-thriller take on racism like Jordan Peele’s Get Out and Candyman. But, let alone succeeding, The Strays doesn’t even manage to make a clear political stand on the same.
The film starts with a woman leaving her home without informing anyone. Years later, Neve is a successful private teacher, married to a white man and is a mother to two kids. Desperately trying to fit into the world of the whites, she restricts the mention of anything black in her house. Although Neve looks extremely weird and unreasonably internally-racist, she is always made to feel like an outsider in a predominantly white country.
However, the world starts crashing down on her when she sees a black woman and black man following her everywhere she goes. Thoughts of hallucination penetrate deep into Neve’s head, but then she witnesses her own history being ripped apart in front of her new family. A can of worms open up and Neve begins to loose her sanity.
Even though The Strays manages to keep up the intrigue in its first act, the second act is too blandly stretched to hinder audience’ attention. The narrative moves in a snail pace and none of the proceedings excite. A far better third act however tries its best to salvage the film, but fails at it.
The Strays tries to tackle the grave issue of Internalised Racism, but isn’t quite able to do it justice. This is the biggest problem with the film. Neither is the writing catering to the political angle, nor is it entertaining enough. Apart from a fairly done climax sequence and good cast, there’s no solid takeaway from The Strays. In short, The Strays is one such kind of a film you can try only if you absolutely have nothing to watch.
Other Artists?
The entire cast of The Strays has done a good job. In fact it’s the actors who’d compel you to sit through the film even when the writing goes shabby in the second act. Bukky Bakray‘s Dione deserves special mention too. She is scary, emotional and filled with rage and you see that in her performance as well. Jorden Myrie has also done decent work.
Music And Other Departments?
It feels like The Strays’ score by Emilie Levienaise-Farrouch is possessed by the ghost of Get Out. The mood and notes are similar, but neither the writing nor the music gets to the centre stage.
Highlights?
Ashley Madekwe’s performance
Supporting Cast
Third Act
Drawbacks?
Writing
Clueless Screenplay
Second Act
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes. In selective parts
Will You Recommend It?
Not really
The Strays Movie Review by Binged Bureau