You’re Next (2011) – Review

Posted by maria kriva on January 2, 2014 · 5 Comments 

Satisfying the unsettling feelings of a horror movie fan, You’re Next is a perfect example of a splatter film that could stand out for its tension and the excessive violence.

The story revolves around the 35th wedding anniversary of Paul and Aubrey, a loving couple who decide to celebrate their special day with their four children and their partners. The family gathering is set in a secluded big house – the newest acquisition of the rich parents. Crispian (AJ Bowen), the sensitive and sweet son along with his young girlfriend Erin (Sharni Vinson) is the first one to arrive at the house. Drake (Joe Swanberg), the successful and arrogant son and his wife Kelly follow and the get-together is completed when the sweet and perky daughter Aimee (Amy Seimetz) and Felix (Nicholas Tucci), the indifferent, quiet son arrive.

Everything goes wrong during dinner, when a group of masked killers start attacking the family. One after another the members of the family get butchered and as the night progresses and turns out to be like a game of “who’s next to die”, the terrified family tries to find ways to survive while in panic.

Erin, the young literature student, plays a critical role in  You’re Next. Her tough personality and rough childhood will be key for her survival in this bloody frenzy. Beating all odds and defying every predictability, the masked killers are in for a lot of pain as Erin is not willing to give in.

Axe-wielding murderers, inventive ways of killing and a lot of blood make  You’re Next what it is – a good old typical splatter movie. The viewer’s interest is kept alive throughout, as the massacre starts from the very beginning – for it is in the first five minutes that the bloodstained action starts.

The plot is also marked by a lot of twists and it definitely becomes a game of who plotted against whom and why. I will not reveal the ending since it is absolutely worth the surprise. One thing better than the gory feeling of listening to the splatter sound of an axe crashing someone’s skull, is a smooth perverted twist in the plot. For this reason,  You’re Next is an enjoyable choice.

Director Adam Wingard did a fine job showing the chaos that a group of psycho masked killers can bring to a seemingly loving and peaceful family. However, dark feelings and instincts lie beneath. The outcome is an excellent way to make  You’re Next stand out from the stereotypical clichés of the invincible killers and the useless, scared victims that die one after the other.

For the horror movie fans this film is a very good choice. With a lot of resemblances with the gripping movie The Strangers, this particular horror film is capable enough of creating an agonizing atmosphere and from a certain point the viewer starts guessing and putting the blame on suspicious characters. This is always something that can keep the viewer alert and the outcome is usually – as in this case – quite rewarding.

For the non-horror movie fans,  You’re Next could also be a fine choice. The excessive amount of gore is something the viewers should be aware of, as it takes a tough stomach to watch the brutality depicted in it. Nonetheless, this should not be a discouraging factor, since for its genre, it is particularly pleasurable.

Filed under Review · Tagged with Adam Wingard, horror movie, Nicholas Tucci, splatter movie, strangers, you're next