Review - You're Next

At the Theater - "You're Next" - For the better part of the last decade, I've complained about how modern horror films (particularly slasher entries) have apparently abandoned the strong central character who could give as good he/she gets- this film has one of those precious few, memorably tough mother fuckers in the form of Aussie Actress Sharni Vinson as "Erin". What I had believed to be a standard, brainless home invasion flick along the lines of "The Strangers", "Funny Games" (the 1997 original and it's 2007 remake), "The Collector" and "Black Christmas" (the 2006 remake) is oh so much more- there's an actual plot and method to the madness, with at least one character willing to reverse the role of victim and challenge the masked villains with old-fashioned grit and intellect. As is, this is much closer to the 2002 Jodie Foster thriller "Panic Room". Just when the logic starts to wobble a bit, the narrative rights itself in a satisfactory manner. It could use a polish and the subtraction of a scene involving a blender used as a killing tool, but I'm more than willing to forgive it with all the things it does right. 

Celebrating their 35th anniversary, a wealthy couple are joined by their children at a remote mansion getaway only to find themselves under attack by a trio of masked assailants. Not only do the dwindling members of the hunted party have to stave off the advances of the killers but familial discord and sibling rivalries reach a boiling point as the rampage progresses.  Director Adam Wingard and Writer Simon Barrett have collaborated before, contributing segments in the found footage horror releases V/H/S and V/H/S 2- horror fans should hope that these two continue to hone their relationship and respective crafts as this particular entry in the genre boasts a strong narrative and effectively tense Direction while also working commendably well as a black comedy.  There's more than a few chuckles sprinkled about.

Sharni Vinson (Bait 3D), essentially the star of the film, is excellent as "Erin"- the proactive member of the besieged with a survivalist upbringing.  The casting director of that proposed all-female version of The Expendables should take notice.  It would be some kind of crime if audiences weren't able to see her reprise some variation of this character again.  It's a delightfully refreshing turn that I believe to be the strongest aspect of the film.  If only more Horror filmmakers would utilize this crowd-pleasing approach...

AJ Bowen (The House Of The Devil) portrays Erin's pacifist, college professor boyfriend, "Crispian", while Joe Swanberg (V/H/S), the Writer/Director of my current favorite film of 2013, Drinking Buddies, is the resident asshole of the group, "Drake". Dallas, Texas native Margaret Laney portrays Drake's wife, "Kelly", with Nicholas Tucci supplying a decidedly uneven turn as"Felix". Wendy Glenn, primarily a TV actress, is Felix's mysterious girlfriend, "Zee", while Amy Siemetz (AMC/Netflix's The Killing) is the family's youngest sibling, "Aimee".

Farelly Brothers regular Rob Moran (There's Something About Mary) would be the least impressive actor of the lot, his patriarchal "Paul" embodies the lion's share of the film's most ignorant character qualities. Barbara Crampton (Re-Animator, From Beyond, Puppetmaster, Castle Freak, Trancers II)  is some kind of horror royalty and looks fantastic for her age as the family's matriarch, "Aubrey".  Horror Writer/Director/Actors Ti West (The Innkeepers) and Larry Fessenden (Stake Land) are featured in extended cameos as "Tariq" and a next door neighbor with remarkably inconsistent luck, respectively...

Things I didn't care for: I could have done without that damnable shaky cam which was used in a couple of dynamic moments while a recurring song left on repeat at a neighbor's home could have been a better selection.  Furthermore, after the family finds one of their own slaughtered in an upstairs bedroom, I believe it should have been a no-brainer to have immediately realized that at least one attacker had found his way into the home... the nonchalant reaction to the discovery is awkward, to say the least.

There should be some kind of Razzie category for most misleading trailer, for this particular film's would be this year's front-runner.  This film has been on the shelf since 2011 and there's no real good reason for that- I'm glad I was able to view it in the theater and believe it to be one of the more entertaining and mostly intelligent pure Horror/Thriller releases of the last few years. Potential viewers should expect a number of gruesome, unexpected kills, a throwback synth score that periodically chimes in and a clear motive for the onscreen events by film's end. And yes, there's a few effective jump scares, as well.  The film is rated R for blood and gore- as it should be.

Ash, Ripley and RJ MacReady would be proud of Erin...

Recommended.

8.0 out of 10