The Strain (2014) Review in 2025
A vampire apocalypse movie based on the novel by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan, starring Corey Stoll, Mia Maestro, and Mía Maestro.
Family-Friendly Rating
Is this movie suitable for family viewing?
Not recommended for family viewing due to graphic violence, gore, and mature themes.
CineReview Recommendation
This movie is worth watching if you're a fan of horror, science fiction, and action movies. However, it's not particularly original, and some of the scenes feel a bit over-the-top and melodramatic. If you're looking for a more subtle and nuanced take on the vampire genre, you might want to look elsewhere.
Spoiler Alert!
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The movie follows a team of scientists and experts as they try to stop a vampire virus from spreading across the globe, but they soon realize that the virus is not just a simple infection, but a highly contagious and deadly disease that turns humans into vampires.
Review Details
story7.00/10
The story is engaging and well-paced, with a good mix of action, suspense, and horror elements. However, the plot is not particularly original, and some of the twists and turns are predictable.
acting7.00/10
The acting is generally good, with some standout performances from the cast. Corey Stoll and David Bradley are particularly good, but some of the supporting actors feel like they're phoning it in.
characters6.00/10
The characters are well-developed and complex, but some of them feel a bit one-dimensional. The main characters, such as Dr. Ephraim Goodweather and Abraham Setrakian, are well-portrayed, but some of the supporting characters feel like cardboard cutouts.
direction7.50/10
Guillermo del Toro's direction is excellent, with a great sense of atmosphere and tension. He does a great job of building suspense and creating a sense of unease, but some of the scenes feel a bit over-the-top and melodramatic.
cinematography8.00/10
The cinematography is excellent, with a great use of lighting and camera angles. The special effects are also well-done, with a good mix of practical and CGI effects.
Pros and Cons
Pros
The movie has a great sense of atmosphere and tension, with a good mix of action, suspense, and horror elements. The special effects are also well-done, and the cinematography is excellent.
Cons
The plot is not particularly original, and some of the twists and turns are predictable. Some of the characters feel a bit one-dimensional, and the acting is not always consistent.
Notable Quotes
"The Strain is not just a movie, it's a warning."
"The vampire virus is not just a simple infection, it's a highly contagious and deadly disease that turns humans into vampires."
"We're not just fighting a virus, we're fighting a plague."
