The Stranger quietly premiered on Netflix, leaving a lasting impact on viewers' minds and an unsettling feeling even after the credits roll. This serial killer film is based on a true story; it features a suspect named Henry Teague (played by Sean Harris) who is accused of kidnapping a child, and the Australian police conduct a covert operation to obtain a confession. The true story is already frightening, but director Thomas M. Wright's film is a masterwork that effectively spreads the essence of fear throughout.

From the moment the words "inspired by a true story" appear on a black screen, the film envelops the audience in a chilling embrace. The film draws inspiration from a real Australian operation involving an 8-year manhunt for Brett Peter Cowan related to the kidnapping and murder of 13-year-old Daniel Morcombe (played by James Liston in the film). Joel Edgerton portrays Mark, an undercover cop who works closely with Henry, and this character's performance highlights the deep scars left on everyone affected by the crime.

Mark's real-life counterpart befriended the suspect, drawing him into a fake crime syndicate set up by the police. This method is used in Australia to obtain a legal and court-admissible confession. While the film is inspired by crime reporter Kate Kyriacou's book detailing the undercover operation that caught Daniel Morcombe's killer, much of the story is fictional. This allows The Stranger to effectively convey the real fear that encompasses every part of the investigation.

The film continuously shows the background of the police operation with scenes of Mark and Henry working together, reminding us that Henry, despite appearing to be an ordinary yet strange man, is actually a much darker character. Viewers are constantly reminded of Mark's purpose and feel the grim atmosphere surrounding their friendship and the events as they await the confession. When we first meet Henry, he is meeting someone unknown on a bus, pulling the audience deeper into the tension.