You're Next

Review by Bob Ignizio

There are probably more new horror films being made and released these days than at any time in the history of the genre, so you might think that a life-long fan like myself would be thrilled. You would be wrong. Whether we're talking big screen Hollywood films or straight to video, the vast majority of recent horror films are both appallingly unoriginal and depressingly bad. That's why it's such a pleasant surprise when a movie like YOU'RE NEXT comes along.

To be fair, I'm not entirely sure if horror is an accurate description of YOU'RE NEXT, but it is the kind of violent, darkly humorous film that tends to play better to horror fans than a general audience. The set-up is that the dysfunctional offspring of Paul (Rob Moran) and Aubrey (Barbara Crampton) have gathered, significant others in tow, at their parents' secluded mansion for an anniversary party. Old sibling rivalries and parental disapprovals flare up, only to be put on the backburner once unseen assailants begin attacking the house with a crossbow. Fortunately Paul's disappointment of a son Crispian (A.J. Bowen) has brought along his girlfriend Erin (Sharni Vinson), as she proves surprisingly adept at fending off the attackers.