Stranger in Our House
Seen it?1979 | 99 min | Horror, TV Movie
Weeknight Watchearly ratingWhy it’s a Weeknight Watch
With a lukewarm 49% audience score and little lasting buzz, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Tailor-made for people who like the lights on afterwards and anyone who loves a world with magic in it. The scares come from the creaks and shadows as much as the jumps. Sits nicely alongside The Exorcist or Weapons. Its magic has rules, and the story plays by them.
- The mood
- Scary.
- The pace
- Builds dread steadily, at 1 hr 39 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated PG-13: scary moments. Probably too much for younger kids.
- Made in 1979: an older pace and style.
- Skip it if you scare easily or watch alone at night.
After a country family of five take in charming cousin Julie, whose parents recently died in a car crash, their teenage daughter Rachel grows to suspect that Julie has a sinister agenda.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsNot counted
Not enough reviews on record yet
- AudiencesBelow par
Our audience score: 49%
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Reach & staying powerSolid
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 32K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
Behind the scenes
A few things you might not know about the making of Stranger in Our House.
"I had come out to California to do some minor stuff and got invited in to do that," Craven recalled.
DevelopmentWhile the source novel by Lois Duncan features Rachel losing a pet dog, Blair suggested to Craven that it be a horse, as Blair, an equestrian at the time, had a close bond to the animal.
Filming
More like this
The Exorcist
Friday Night FlickAlso stars Linda Blair, in another much-loved supernatural horror film.
Pumpkinhead Weeknight WatchAlso stars Jeff East, in another supernatural horror film, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Weapons Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed supernatural horror film.
The Gate
Sunday Safe BetAnother supernatural horror film, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
The Witch Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed supernatural horror film.
Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks
Cast & crew
Directed by Wes Craven
- Linda BlairRachel Bryant
- Lee PurcellJulia Trent
- Jeremy SlateTom Bryant
- Jeff McCrackenMike Gallagher
- Jeff EastPeter Bryant
- Carol LawrenceLeslie Bryant
- Macdonald CareyProfessor Jarvis
- Fran DrescherCarolyn Baker
- James JarniganBobby
- Sierra PecheurNurse Duncan