A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master (1988) was a life-changing event for The Strangers: Chapter 1s director, Renny Harlin. Robert Shaye of New Line Cinema took a chance on young Harlin when the producer hired the virtually unknown Finnish filmmaker for Nightmare 4. Flash forward five years, and Harlin is helming Cliffhanger starring Sylvester Stallone.