The ads for You're Next are among the worst I have ever seen. It made the film look intriguing enough but it also suggested that this was yet another home invasion horror film a la The Purge or The Strangers. In actuality, You're Next is (without overselling it) one of the greatest things ever put on film. It is the most innovative, entertaining, creepy, delightfully gory and surprisingly intentionally very funny films of any sort of the past few decades. Words lose me when trying to describe my love for this film. This is one of those films where you walk out of the theater vibrating from the awesomeness that you have just experienced. There is so much life and energy as well as originality to every frame of this film that it can only be praised as a modern masterpiece. Directed by Adam Wingard and written by Simon Barrett who did the wraparound story for the much-lauded V/H/S (which I actually found pretty enjoyable).....this is a film that should be shown to film students for decades to come on how to make a legitimately amazing film.
I'm not going to tell you the plot because the less you know about this film---the more you'll love it. I will say it's a home invasion film like no other. Other than that---going into this film fresh will make you love this film even more than I did (if that's even possible.)
I always talk about great acting in films that I review. While this film does have some excellent acting including a hilarious performance from Joe Swanberg (whose character we needed more of)...the directing, writing and most important---editing are key here. Director Wingard shows us almost every scene of violence in full. While this will cause just about anyone to turn away multiple times....it also makes for a delightfully gory horror film. All the horror films from this year (barring Evil Dead) have been too afraid to go the extra mile. That is to say the filmmakers were afraid too much gore would be a turn off for audiences. Here's a little secret to the filmmakers----a lot of gore actually makes for a more fun and creepy film than a dumbed down PG-13 horror film. The writing is very funny while still managing to be incredibly creepy. The dialogue could probably go up against Aaron Sorkin's screenplays---no joke. It is fast, funny, fierce and menacing. Also----the story keeps you hooked wondering what's going to happen next and the outcome doesn't disappoint. The editing uses many quick jump cuts to make for a very disturbing look. Too many horror films nowadays think that if one shot is shown for a long time---that's creepy. Rather, it just gets boring and repetitive. The fact that the film's editing uses a lot of jump cuts and fast paced cinematography actually makes it 1000 times more enjoyable than any other horror film from the past few decades. Also...the score is fantastic. The progressively loud music adds to the creepiness of each situation and the technique (which I will not give away) of playing a certain song is downright brilliant.
You're Next is the very definition of a flawless film. If I had anything close to one complaint---it would be that the characters are unlikable. However, even that's a positive for the film. You wouldn't want to see Shailene Woodley's character from The Spectacular Now get brutally killed...would you? Thus having unlikable people makes a lot of sense for this film. If you haven't seen You're Next yet...do so now. It is a legitimately amazing piece of filmmaking.
(5 out of 5 Stars, The film is rated R for strong bloody violence, language and some sexuality/nudity)
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