I rather enjoyed this over-the-top slasher movie.
I couldn't help but compare it to 'The Strangers' that I saw recently. In both films mysterious strangers in masks invade a peaceful household - but there the similarities end. In 'The Strangers' nothing much happens, here there is a surfeit of bloody violence as the invaders, hidden behind animal masks, slaughter their victims one by one. But they get a nasty shock when one 'victim' turns out to be a survivalist with well-developed weapons skills who retaliates and kills the attackers off one by one...
Yes, it's unrealistic, yes the plot (such as it is) is plain silly, yes the dialogue is ropey - but there's enough gore to satisfy most viewers of this genre. And if you're a fan of Aussie soap 'Home and Away' you might recognise Sharni Vinson in the role of the victim who fights back.
I'll give it 4/5 stars, although that does seem a little generous.
Ok, so this isn't as good as Friday 13th or Nightmare on Elm street and it's not really a horror either but a thriller, but if you enjoy plenty of blood and a few unexpected twists you will probably enjoy this film and the entertainment goes on until the very last second. Of cause the script is entirely unbelievable and so are the extraordinary abilities, (or lack of them) that are exhibited by the characters but just ignore that and enjoy.
Going into You’re Next, you are treated to the beginnings of a conventional horror film only to have the rug pulled out from under you as you are treated to a wild and fun ride that finally answers the question of what happens when you pick a fight against someone you just can’t win against.
The film follows what happens when the Davison family assemble at an out of the way country house to celebrate an anniversary only to find themselves surrounded by a group of home invaders wearing strange animal masks seeking to kill everyone in the house. However the attackers soon realise that they may have chosen a dinner where one of the guests might be all too prepared for a situation like this.
Filled with some shocking gore, You’re Next isn’t actually scary, its a fast paced slasher film that has been flipped on its head. Featuring a fantastic performance by Sharni Vinson the film has fun with the hunter/prey dynamic as the film gleefully messes with the audience as to who is really in charge. The films many twists and turns make for a slick and captivating ride that you don’t really want to end.
While the film does have some quite awful performers it does a good job of marginalizing their characters while still making it impossible to predict who is going to die next adding a feeling of freshness to this unique watch. The film proves uninterested in changing horror dynamics, messing with conventions (even if it proves to be excellent at it), the film is just interested in ensuring the audience has gore filled fun and that at the end of it is exactly what you get with You’re Next, a slasher movie worthy of sitting up there with some of the greats.