You're Next(2013 - August 24)
Horror | Thriller
1 hr. 34 Min.
Rated: R Strong Bloody Violence, Some Sexuality/Nudity and Language Read more
Grade: C+
Director: Adam Wingard
Writer: Simon Barrett
Stars: Sharni Vinson, Joe Swanberg, AJ Bowen | See full cast and crew
One of the smartest and most terrifying films in years, YOU'RE NEXT reinvents the genre by putting a fresh twist on home-invasion horror. When a gang of masked, ax-wielding murderers descend upon the Davison family reunion, the hapless victims seem trapped...until an unlikely guest of the family proves to be the most talented killer of all. (c) Lionsgate
When the Davison family comes under attack during their wedding anniversary getaway, the gang of mysterious killers soon learns that one of victims harbors a secret talent for fighting back.
This film has some pretty creepy and scary moments. If you have a phobia about home security you may not want to see this one, it may leave you with nightmares. Not to mention a new phobia of animal masks.
Director Adam Wingard is deserving of props for bringing some
fresh ideas to this movie genera. It seems lately that home invasion thrillers are showing up every week or so. Remember The Purge from a couple of weeks ago? You're Next is not so much a horror movie as a suspense/crime/thriller. The set-up is still takes a page out of the 'horror' playbook: There is a family get-together in an isolated country home. Paul (Rob Moran) and Aubrey Davison (Barbara Crampton) are planning to celebrate 35 years of wedded, well I wouldn't say bliss but something more like compromise, along with their four adult
children. 
All the kids are spoiled brats of wealthy parents, coming home for their anniversary/family reunion. First on the scene is Crispian (AJ
Bowen) a chauvinist jerk with a cool Aussie new girlfriend, Erin (Sharni Vinson); next is older brother Drake (indie filmmaker Joe Swanberg) who takes arrogance to a whole new
level and his lover, Kelly (Margaret Laney), who is almost as unappealing he is; there is Daughter Aimee (Amy Seimetz) who is a daddy's girl with a filmmaker
lover, Tariq (Ti West), she rivals her brothers in the annoying department; and last but not least is youngest
brother Felix (Nicholas Tucci) and his cool and aloof girlfriend Zee (Wendy Glenn) these two gripe
about everything. 
With a group like this, and of course the parents are no prize either, you're not likely to care who gets mutilated or killed (we know going in that in this type of movie that it is expected that everyone or nearly everyone will die by the end of the film) by the creepy animal masked intruders. Expect to see lots of these masks this Holloween.
What sets this film apart from the others is that director Wingard is so effective at setting up and keeping the atmosphere tense and jumpy and wondering who and why are they tormenting this family. Out of the entire group there is really only one person that you feel like rooting for and that is Erin (Sharni Vinson), a resourceful Aussie woman who could win Survivor. Her character, and her performance, is what holds this film together. She is definitely the life of this 'horrorshow' party. She is fighting back, when you're ducking or jumping in your seat.
I was reminded a little of Home Alone with Erin's inventiveness, and granted, I've seen a lot of these movies but I had pretty much solved the mystery after the second or third killing. I still could enjoy watching as the jumpy atmosphere played out to the end. One thing that did bother me is that the police officer is never credited in the cast.
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