"The Stranger" takes its time, building the tension through occasional flashbacks and having the audience sympathize with Peter, who grew up not knowing his father. Peter, like the audience, is kept largely in the dark about his father's motives or even what he is... because he's certainly not human. What is apparent is the chaos his dad's return has on the small town, especially a member of the police force and his violence-prone son.

"The Stranger" is ultimately about family, the legacy we pass on to our children and the lengths we go to protect and ensure their survival, no matter how dark and deadly they might become.