I've been incredibly exited to see the film You're Next since I saw the trailer months ago. I read about it and was pleased to hear it had gained rave reviews from the film festivals it's played at so far. This is all very unusual for a horror movie, so when one actually does WELL, I get a little giddy.
The wait to see it was cut short when I got the amazing news that my best friend was able to snag free tickets to an early showing Thursday the 8th. The theatre we went to had stations set up for viewers to get their pictures taken wearing the iconic masks from the movie next to a bloody mirror. (very cool!)
I honestly didn't know what to expect coming in to the film other than having very high hopes. I wasn't disappointed. The movie begins with a couple doing the dirty then ditching each other for a shower and booze, respectively. It's goes without saying that things don't turn out well for them, but I was pleasantly surprised to find the violence that soon followed was brutal without relying on extreme gore. I don't mind blood and guts at all in films but I give a lot more respect and appreciation to directors who can make you squirm without relying only on gross-out factor (though don't get me wrong, there are some seriously nasty scenes later on!)
After the opening scares, the movie jumps to the main storyline following a new couple driving to the man's family home for a long overdue family reunion. They meet with the man's mother and father, and soon his 2 brothers and sister with their significant others join the party. The story quickly switches from a dysfunctional family reunion to a bloody fight for survival against masked intruders once one of the group is suddenly picked off à la an arrow through the forehead.
The action starts and really doesn't stop until the end credits start to roll. It's a large group and the kill count mounts quickly, in extremely gruesome yet satisfying ways. The thing I found really made You're Next stand apart from being just another slasher flick was definitely the quality of the writing and spectacular pacing throughout. It's got extreme wit even during the most terrifying scenes, reminiscent of Cabin in the Woods yet the scares are SCARY.
Overall the entire film is a smart, fresh addition to the summer movie lineup and it's definitely the best film I've seen in a long time. I recommend it to anyone who doesn't have too weak of a stomach and likes to laugh. Like I said above, just because the film doesn't rely completely on extreme gore to scare you, that's not to say it's not over the top here or there. Lets just say I'll never look at a blender quite the same way ever again... (the scene was amazing.......)
I can't wait to see this movie again and hope to once it's out world wide. GO SEE IT. NOW. :)
Until next time!
xoxoxo
