Directed by Adam Wingard
Starring: Sharni Vinson, Nicholas Tucci, Wendy Glenn, AJ Bowen, Joe Swanberg, Barbara Crampton, Rob Moran
Distributed by Lionsgate
MPAA Rating: R
Running time: 94 minutes
Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars
After watching the trailer to “You’re Next”, I thought that this film was going to be terrifying. The idea of having deranged killers running around with farm animal masks on their face is creepy and very effective. After viewing the film, I was really taken back because it was not what I expect at all. But that was a good thing. The film starts off as a very creepy horror film with some fantastic scares and then it completely shifts gears to a kick-ass revenge thriller with some great and creative kills. When it comes to original ideas, “You’re Next” will have the audience jumping and yet at the same time also cheering at the screen! Fun time to be had here! Definitely recommend.
The film centers about the Davison family who while getting together to celebrate their parents anniversary get much more than they expect this this family reunion. They all meet at a remote house in the woods but soon find out that they are not alone. Shortly after getting settled and sitting down to dinner, they find that they are being hunted by a group of masked, ax-wielding psychos. When say masked by the way if you haven’t seen the posters, they are animal masks, which makes it even creepier. Being trapped in their house the family needs to fight to get a way out and plenty of secrets are up-rooted in the process. Let’s just say the family will never be the same after the night!
Let’s talk about Sharni Vinson, who I have been in love with ever since she was in “Step Up 3D”. Yes, I love that film and she was rocking in it. She also kicked some major shark ass in “Bait 3D”, which was also awesome. I think people both male and female are really going to dig her in this role. She is tough, sexy, bad-ass and knows how to use a blender like no one I have ever seen! See the movie to get that last part. If she doesn’t blow up big in Hollywood after this film, I will be completely surprised. But besides Sharni, the rest of the cast work well together as well, especially Joe Swanberg, even though I said I couldn’t wait for this guy to die the minute he was introduced in the film.
Director Adam Wingard has really been making a name for himself in the horror genre in the last few years, since his film “A Horrible Way to Die”. He has contributed to a few horror anthologies as well including “V/H/S”, “V/H/S/2” and “The ABC’s of Death”. Keep an eye out for this guy because he has a unique vision in this genre and I can see him easily taking over. Next let’s talk about the film’s insane and amazing score by Mads Heldtberg. This guy really packed a super solid 80’s inspired edge-of-your-seat score. I literally leaned over to my sister twice during the film and said “Totally love this score”. It really added a lot to the film and sets up the creepy atmosphere. In the flooded marketplace of reboots and remakes, “You’re Next” is is stands out as it is very clever and entertaining.