Arriving just shy of two years after it premiered at the
Toronto International Film Festival, You’re Next is quite an effective horror
thriller by Adam Wingard. Featuring performances by two indie filmmakers who
have worked in horror - Joe Swanberg (VHS) and Ti West (The Innkeepers), the
concept is painfully simple: the Davidson family reunite in a remote country
home for the 35th wedding anniversary of Aubrey (Barbara Crampton)
and Paul (Rob Moran). Stuff starts to go wrong and you guest it – someone is next,
and next and next. It’s a hardcore horror film that suffers from some uneven
performances: there are certainly talented filmmakers on screen but that’s the
problem – they’re on screen! They don’t make convincing damsels in distress.
The film is fine: blood, gore, splatter, ect – with a few
smart touches that I can’t give away – we’re not in the business of spoilers
here. The direction by Adam Wingard is skillful, creating an energetic aesthetic with its low budget.
The family dynamics are spot on, even if they aren’t my family – they
feel real and well observed. As critics have pointed out You’re Next feels like
a melding of mumblecore sensibilities (for which Joe Swanberg is known) and an
80’s style slasher picture. Co-staring Sharni Vinson, AJ Bowen, Amy Seimetz,
and indie horror icon Larry Fessenden – You’re Next is what it is: you’ll jump,
you’ll scream and the ending hook is great too. If its successful they’ll have
to shoehorn in a prequel or a spin-off: there’s no way there can be a sequel.
That is unless someone wasn’t “next”.
Screening: AMC Maple Ridge, Regal Quaker Crossing, Regal Elmwood, Dipson Flix, Regal Transit, Regal Hollywood 12
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