You're Next
Every horror fan knows the deal by now; horror is predictable. Unless you can pull a Joss Whedon The Cabin In The Woods game changing movie out of your head, then you more or less are going to ahere to movie tropes. In fact, horror movies have become so predictable that even introductions to horror reviews have become predictable. It's a losing situation. So when I sat down to watch You're Next, the latest horror offering that has been met with rave reviews, I was hesitant.
Luckily, I left beaming.
The You're Next set up is the same. A large mansion in the woods, isolated from everyone, is hosting a family reunion. The strained relationships and dysfunctional family are pretty much ago as they celebrate the anniversary of their parents. Erin is one of the new additions to the crew, who is visiting her boyfriend Crispin's parents for the first time. Unfortunately, that isn't the only strain and battle she'll have to face as no sooner as the wine is poured then an attack from masked killers happens. As the body count piles up, Erin is determined to fight back and defend the family that she has just been welcomed in to.
Think a fresh and gory update of Scream and you are close to the level of greatness that You're Next is. While it isn't at all terrifying, it certainly has it moments of hilarity. Playing the tongue and cheek angle, You're Next is highly energetic with a surprisingly entertaining murder round every bend. The film does not dwell too much on plot, and that's ok, because what it lacks in originality and premise, it certainly makes up in red syrup and cringe inducing gore. With quick quips, one liners, funny exchanges and a family full of disasters, You're Next relies on the in jokes of horror and slapstick moments to bring it up from the usual yarn. While it won't make you jump nor induce a night without sleep_, You're Next_ will entertain you, especially if horror is the kind of movie fix you need.
But the best part of You're Next is Erin. Here we finally have a lead female in horror that gets the job done. From the minute the action kicks off, Erin kicks into action. She isn't screaming or crying, she has had a background that dealt with this sort of nonsense and immediately her sense kicked in. She is out to defend and survive at whatever cost. She is heroic and not only does she completely smash a few bones, she smashes every stereotypical female horror trope there is. You'll be rooting for her, whooping for her and ultimately loving her stance within the movie.
You're Next is thrilling and above all an incredible movie. While it isn't jumpy, it is funny and will happily let you shout, scream and clap at the screen. It is definitely one to catch. This new slice from horror director Adam Wingard (A Horrible Way T o Die,) with a collection of seasoned and new horror actors, will refresh your memory of exactly why horror movies are great. It is highly entertaining, thrilling and above all, awesome film.
With that said, I've seen it...
You're next.
TTFN
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