You’re Next delivers on the thrills and violence expected from a slasher movie, though it's held back by a weak narrative and some underwhelming acting. The plot follows a familiar formula—a group of attackers violently breaks into a house—and while there are attempts at surprising turns, they mostly come across as foreseeable and not particularly shocking. The story relies on the common horror trope where the mai…

It's interesting to consider what might occur if horror movie protagonists weren’t consistently portrayed as foolish. You’re Next explores this idea with some engaging violence and an intelligent play on familiar tropes. The film starts out like many other horror films, presenting a group of relatives and friends who find themselves targeted by masked killers armed with axes. However, the story takes unexpected di…

There’s quite a bit to appreciate about it, but the weaker sections significantly detract from the overall experience. The horror sequences in 'You’re Next' work well. The deaths are inventive and the antagonists convincingly portray their roles. Sharni Vinson makes an impression as Erin, though she was really the only performer I found enjoyable. However, the initial development, the characters’ choices, and t…

It’s great that You're Next finally made its way to theaters after initially appearing in 2011. Seeing horror movies on the big screen here is a rare thing; there are usually very few showings, or none at all. The film combines familiar elements with some unusual and inventive ideas. The visuals bear resemblance to The Strangers—there’s even overlap in certain events—and it evokes the atmosphere of the Saw series,…

Adam Wingard directed You're Next, which was written by Simon Barrett. The film stars Sharni Vinson, Nicholas Tucci, Wendy Glenn, A.J. Bowen, and Joe Swanberg; Mads Heldtberg composed the music, and Andrew Palermo handled the cinematography. It’s bloody and a lot of fun! The Davison family and their companions gather for a family reunion at a secluded vacation home, only to discover that their personal conflict…

I generally don’t care for movies about dysfunctional families resolved by someone from the outside, so these kinds of stories rarely impress me. It’s unusual to find a worthwhile example, and that's what made this one such a pleasant surprise; I anticipated another letdown, but halfway through, I was genuinely impressed. The plot has some good turns as well. There are quite a few unexpected developments in the later…

Certain tropes are in place because they serve a purpose. Without those familiar elements, *You're Next* would struggle to have much substance. Fortunately, the filmmakers take what might otherwise be cliché or predictable situations and subvert them. The movie evokes a sense of familiarity while still feeling inventive. Decent special effects and adequate performances make it something any horror enthusiast should s…