In The Strays, a Black woman who has managed to climb the British social ladder struggles as her past catches up to her. The British horror-thriller film is now streaming on Netflix.
Story
Cheryl (Ashley Madekwe) is a black woman who is frustrated with how people of her colour are treated and how little she has achieved. She is nowhere near where she wants to be in life.
After complaining about this to her sister, she has a breakdown. Cheryl impulsively decides to just leave her family and start over.
Years later, Cheryl, now known as Neve, has achieved exactly what she desired. A deputy headmistress at a school, she has wealth and social prestige.
But it all threatens to unravel when a mysterious man keeps following her. What Neve believes to be a ploy could just be her past catching up.
Will this destroy her new life, or will Neve be able to overcome whatever is thrown at her?
Performances
The actors do an excellent job in The Strays. Madekwe is able to highlight the twisted, selfish psychology of Cheryl expertly and is consistent all through the film.
Bukky Bakray and Jorden Myrie excel as the two stalkers. Their background and characters are essential for the narrative and they do not disappoint.
Positives
The Strays gets better as it progresses. At the start, it’s about Neve and her desires but you get a closer look into her mindset as little details come to light.
The entire narrative is a deep, engaging exploration of the character. What drives her, the insecurities and what she’s willing to sacrifice to get ahead in life.
The plot line of the stalkers explores various issues such as discrimination. Cheryl’s own decision to escape her black heritage is also a criticism of how people of colour are treated on the social ladder.
The conclusion of the film is twisted and riveting; one of the best in recent thriller films on the streamer.
Negatives
The film is categorised as horror, but there’s nothing that would suggest it belongs in that genre. There are some eerie scenes but not enough to give anybody a scare.
The build-up to the captivating conclusion is relatively weak. The big reveal doesn’t leave you shocked. This part could have been executed better.
Verdict
There are elements to like about The Strays but also some glaring flaws you cannot ignore. Watch it for the final act.
Also Read: 50 best Netflix thriller shows – Ranked
