REVIEW: You're Next

Courtesy of Lionsgate

Since I’m not generally a big horror enthusiast, I tend to be late to the party any time there’s a particularly fun, well-crafted addition to the genre. That’s precisely what happened with You’re Next, a tense, entertaining home invasion flick that opened on August 23. The film’s trailer makes it look like a run-of-the-mill gorefest, but powerful word of mouth compelled me to give it a shot.

I’m glad I did. Seeing You’re Next on the big screen was an absolute blast, even a week after it opened. I only wish I had seen it on opening night in a packed theater. Unfortunately, I’m not sure how many theaters were showing the movie to big crowds. There were less than 15 people in the evening screening I attended.

I believe the film is being overlooked by mainstream audiences for a number of reasons. First, there’s the lackluster trailer mentioned above, which fails to make a case for the familiar but well-crafted storyline and ignores the powerhouse central performance.

Second, the film was shot in 2011 but – aside from playing to elated audiences at a few festivals – sat on a shelf for two years. That’s not usually seen as a rousing show of support from the studio. Finally, there’s no famous face to put on the poster. Indie film fans should recognize several actors, but the average moviegoer won’t know who the heck these people are.

Personally, I see that as an advantage and not a drawback. Unfamiliar faces mean anyone can meet a grisly fate at any time; if Brad Pitt’s on the poster, chances are high that he’s making to the end of the movie.

Still, to the squeamish and those who bemoan a lack of star power: if you’re willing to take a chance on a low budget horror flick with ingenuity, some compelling performances and a hearty dose of black humor, I don’t think you’ll come away disappointed. Plus, you’ll be supporting independent filmmakers who are interested in fulfilling their unique vision. I can think of worse ways to spend 10 bucks.

On the surface, the plot describes a movie we’ve seen many times before. But once the initial premise is established, screenwriter Simon Barrett proves he’s capable of a few surprises. The first half-hour, which is admittedly slow and methodical, introduces audiences to the wealthy Davison family.

The patriarch (Rob Moran), a former defense contractor who recently received a healthy retirement package, and his heavily-medicated wife (Barbara Crampton) are excited to be spending time with their adult children for the first time in ages. When sons Crispian (AJ Bowen), Drake (Joe Swanberg) and Felix (Nicholas Tucci), and daughter Aimee (Amy Seimetz), arrive at the family’s massive and isolated estate – with significant others in tow – everybody’s expecting a series of awkward family dinners and lots of booze.

But after a few minutes of bickering during the first meal, there’s a horrific change in plans. Three masked assailants begin picking off family members one-by-one, in brutally efficient fashion. For a while, it seems like the audience is in store for a nihilistic bloodbath. But that’s when Barrett unveils his first secret: it turns out that Erin (Sharni Vinson), Crispian’s new girlfriend, is extremely adept at defending herself. Instead of being the damsel-in-distress that some viewers might expect, she gives them a powerful figure to root for.

There’s a lot to like about You’re Next, from the shrewd ways Barrett upends genre tropes to Adam Wingard’s confident direction to Bowen’s engaging work in a supporting role. But the film’s biggest selling point is Vinson’s star-making performance. The Aussie actress – a relative newcomer who got her big break with Step Up 3D – captured my attention in a hurry, rocketing to the top tier of my favorite horror characters (granted, that’s a fairly small list considering I’m not exactly an expert in the field).

The genre has a vast history of depicting women primarily as victims (unless they meet the qualifications of the virginal Final Girl), but Erin lays waste to standard horror characterization. Rather than scream, cry or sit whimpering in a corner as the killers close in, she springs into action immediately, coming up with several ingenious ways to fight back. It was exhilarating to watch the movie I thought I paid to see transform into something else entirely.

Is You’re Next perfect? No. Aside from the previously mentioned pacing issues and some questionable acting, the plot raises some logistical questions that didn’t pop into my head until I was driving home. For instance: once the motive for the killings has been established, there’s suddenly no real reason for the villains to keep writing “you’re next” in the victims’ blood – other than the fact that it looks scary and it’s the name of the movie.

Also, if the estate is so isolated, why don’t the killers use guns instead of going through the trouble of dispatching the family with machetes, razor wire and crossbows? The obvious answers are “because our way looks scarier” and “the movie would be over in 40 minutes if we used guns,” but at least throw in a line or two of dialogue addressing the issue.

Still, these are minor quibbles when the rest of You’re Next is so entertaining. If you find horror movies repellant, this flick won’t do anything to change your mind. But if – like me – you don’t mind subjecting yourself to some scares and blood if the story merits it, I think you’ll enjoy the ride. I have a feeling this one’s going to develop a huge following once it hits Blu-ray and Netflix; might as well check it out now so you can brag that saw it before everyone else.

You’re Next is rated R for strong bloody violence, language and some sexuality/nudity.

Grade: B