You’re
Next (2011)
IMDB genre: Horror/Thriller
Director: Adam Wingard
Writer: Simon Barrett
Starring: Sharni Vinson, Joe Swanberg, Nicholas
Tucci
Believe
it or not but on the date of writing this, 23rd May 2015, this is my
first time watching You’re Next. I went to Frightfest in 2013 when it was
playing there but not on the right day and then for one reason or another I
missed it in the cinemas, then I forgot about it and by the time I found it
again on Netflix today it’s been almost two years since it was in UK cinemas.
When
it was released it definitely generated a buzz as it got a wave of positive
reviews (far more than a horror film usually gets I think!) so I was intrigued.
I was also very pleased that it lived up to the hype.
There
aren’t many negatives so I’ll get them out of the way first. Without giving too
much away, I felt that the very end of the film changed the tone a little too
much and as a result was a little jarring. Yes, I am being picky!
I
also feel that the soundtrack needs a little work. It’s effective in parts but
it seems to come and go randomly and doesn’t lend much to the tension that
builds up.
I’d
also have liked a little more backstory before the carnage started; there was
obviously a lot of tension in the family but I would have liked to know exactly
why. Again, I am being picky.
Now,
on to the many positives instead. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Sharni Vinson in
anything before but after her astounding performance in this I have the desire
to watch everything she’s ever been in. It was so refreshing to see a leading
lady who could defend herself. It’s more common in recent years to have horror
movie leads who aren’t totally idiotic but this girl started off quiet and
retiring at first but when necessary could match her attackers move for move
and it made for very interesting viewing. The fact that other characters were
next to useless made for a nice comparison too and it was a solid ensemble
cast.
The
next positive aspect, and perhaps the most important for a slasher film, was
the deaths. I was in a bit of a bad mood when I watched this film and, as psychotic
as this makes me sound, watching people die in inventive ways on screen always
cheers me up a bit and in this film they don’t hold back on the blood so sit
back and enjoy the ride! There were several deaths in this film that surprised me
which is always good as some horror films of recent years are very predictable.
Speaking
of being predictable, this film really was anything but in terms of deaths and
plot. I don’t want to give too much away so I’ll just say this film will keep
you guessing until the end.
On
a final positive note, the film builds more tension that I was expecting for a
slasher film and I think the relatively small setting added to this with an air
of claustrophobia.
So
to sum up, in case it wasn’t obvious, this film is a great all-rounder and I
highly recommend it.
General
Opinion:
Scare
Factor:
This film is more tense than scary.
Gore:
Effective & varied, probably the main appeal of the film but it's hard to pick one.
Clowns:
There’s the odd laugh but even before the carnage begins it’s more of a drama than a comedy.
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