The Little Stranger

Synopsis

The Little Stranger is a 2018 psychological horror film directed by Lenny Abrahamson, based on Sarah Waters' gothic novel of the same name. Set in post-war England, the story follows Dr. Faraday (Domhnall Gleeson), a country doctor who is called to a dilapidated mansion to tend to a patient. The family residing there—once prosperous but now in decline—harbors dark secrets and an unsettling atmosphere permeates the estate. As Dr. Faraday becomes increasingly involved with the family and the house, strange occurrences begin to unravel, blurring the lines between reality and the supernatural. The film explores themes of class tension, trauma, and the haunting grip of the past, delivering a slow-burning, atmospheric tale of psychological suspense.

Cast

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  Domhnall Gleeson

  Dr. Faraday

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  Ruth Wilson

  Caroline Ayres

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  Will Poulter

  Roderick Ayres

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  Oliver Zetterström

  Young Faraday

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  Charlotte Rampling

  Mrs. Ayres

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  Liv Hill

  Betty

Reviews

The Little Stranger received mixed to moderately positive reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 65% approval rating, reflecting a collection of critiques that praise its mood and performances but note a lack of scares for a horror film. The critical consensus on Rotten Tomatoes states that it is a "slow but suspenseful adaptation,” highlighting the movie’s effective atmosphere but critiquing its restrained approach to horror. On Metacritic, the film has a score of 67 out of 100, indicating generally favorable reviews. Critics often compliment Domhnall Gleeson’s nuanced performance and the film’s period detail and cinematography, which richly evoke the post-war English setting. However, some reviewers felt the pacing was overly deliberate and that the film’s ambiguity might frustrate viewers expecting conventional horror scares. IMDb users give the movie a 5.5/10, showing a more divided audience reception, with some praising the psychological tension and others finding it slow or underwhelming as a thriller. Overall, The Little Stranger is recognized for its stylish direction and haunting atmosphere, appealing more to fans of psychological drama than overt horror.