The Stranger (1987)
A psychological thriller about an amnesiac woman who witnessed a murder but cannot remember where it happened or who was involved.
The Stranger - Movie Information
- Original Title: The Stranger
- Release Year: 1987
- Directed by: Adolfo Aristarain
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Thriller
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 1h 29m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): December 4, 1987 (United States - R)
- Alternative Titles: El Extraño (AR), Traición y Venganza (ES)
- Production Companies: Columbia Pictures, Michael Nolin, Tusitalia, Freeze Frame Films
- Production Countries: Argentina, United States of America
The Stranger - Plot
Bonnie Bedilia stars in this psychological thriller about a woman who witnesses a murder and then flees. During her escape, she has a car accident. She becomes an amnesia victim and although, she doesn't know her own identity, is able to describe the murder, but doesn't remember where it occurred or who was involved.
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The Stranger - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Adolfo Aristarain
Main Cast
- Bonnie Bedelia
- Peter Riegert
- Barry Primus
- David Spielberg
- Marcos Woinsky
- Cecilia Roth
- Jacques Arndt
- Ricardo Darín
- Julio De Grazia
- Milton James
Writers
- Dan Gurskis
Producers
- Hugo Lamonica
- Jorge Gundín
The Stranger - FAQs
What is The Stranger (1987) about?
The Stranger follows Alice, a woman who witnesses a brutal murder and flees in terror, only to suffer a car accident that wipes her memory. She can describe the crime in chilling detail but has no idea where it happened or who was involved, leaving her trapped in a dangerous limbo between victim and target.
Does Alice ever recover her memory in The Stranger?
The film builds its tension around Alice's fragmented recollections slowly surfacing. Her partial memories are enough to put her in danger from those who want the murder kept secret, driving the thriller's cat-and-mouse dynamic as she pieces together what she saw before the killers can silence her for good.
Where can you watch The Stranger (1987)?
You can rent or buy The Stranger on Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, and YouTube. It's also available for purchase on Fandango At Home. No subscription streaming is currently listed, so a digital rental is your easiest option to catch this late-1980s psychological thriller.
Who stars in The Stranger (1987)?
Bonnie Bedelia leads the cast as Alice Kildee, the amnesiac witness at the heart of the story. She's joined by Peter Riegert as Dr. Harris Kite and Barry Primus as Sergeant Drake. The film also features an early appearance by Ricardo Darín, who would later become one of Argentina's most celebrated actors.
Is The Stranger 1987 an Argentine-American co-production?
Yes, The Stranger is a joint Argentine-American production. It was directed by Argentine filmmaker Adolfo Aristarain and features a mixed cast that includes both Hollywood actors like Bonnie Bedelia and Peter Riegert alongside Argentine talent such as Ricardo Darín, Cecilia Roth, and Federico Luppi.
Who directed The Stranger (1987)?
Adolfo Aristarain directed The Stranger. The Argentine filmmaker is known for crafting tightly wound genre films with strong character work. This English-language thriller was part of his broader career spanning both Argentine cinema and international co-productions, and it showcases his skill at building slow-burn suspense.
What is the age rating for The Stranger (1987)?
The Stranger is rated R, meaning it's intended for adult audiences. The rating reflects the film's thriller content, which includes scenes of violence and the psychological tension surrounding a witnessed murder. Viewer discretion is advised for younger audiences.
Are there similar films to The Stranger (1987)?
If you enjoy The Stranger's amnesia-thriller setup, Dead of Winter (1987) and Black Widow (1987) are strong contemporaries with similar suspense and mystery elements. See No Evil (1971) is a classic blind-witness thriller that shares its DNA, while more recent picks like Compulsion (2024) continue the tradition.
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