You’re Next (2011) Limited Edition 4K UHD/Blu-ray release Review
You’re Next (2011) Limited Edition 4K UHD/Blu-ray release Review
Meet the Davidsons, a wealthy family whose fortune can’t mend their fractured relationships. In a bid to reconnect, parents Aubrey played by horror favourite Barbara Crampton (RE-ANIMATOR, CREEPSHOW) and Paul (Rob Moran – THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY) gather their four children and their partners for a luxurious weekend at their holiday estate.
The couples – Crispian (AJ Bowen – THE SACRAMENT) and Erin (Sharni Vinson – STEP UP 3D), Drake (Joe Swanberg – V/H/S) and Kelly (Margaret Laney – SPIDER-MAN 3), Felix (Nicholas Tucci – FATHER OF FLIES) and Zee (Wendy Glenn – GIRL IN THE VIDEO), and Aimee (Amy Seimetz – SWEET TOOTH) and Tariq (Ti West – PEARL, X) – arrive for what should be a peaceful reunion. But their relaxing retreat soon turns into a nightmarish battleground.
A crossbow bolt through the window shatters dinner and it’s not long before a group of terrifying masked intruders have invaded the estate. The fractured family must band together to survive, but the vicious assailants are in for a shock – one of the guests can be just as ruthless as they are…
Directed and edited by Adam Wingard, who co-wrote with Simon Barrett, YOU’RE NEXT was a financial success – grossing over $26million from a meagre $1million budget. It also bewitched a substantial number of critics and was much hyped in the lead-up to its original theatrical release as a ‘must-see.’ It melds elements from home invasion flicks, Agatha Christie whodunnits and screwball comedies and the resulting movie has since gone on to garner a cult following.
When I first saw YOU’RE NEXT, back near the time of its original release, I remember feeling disappointed by it, I couldn’t remember why exactly I was so disappointed by it, only that I considered it ‘meh.’ Having now had the opportunity to revisit it, to review this new retail release, I have been suitably refreshed as to why.
It starts off brilliantly well with the legend that is actor Larry Fessenden meeting a very bloody end but that is as good as it gets. Aside from a bravura lead performance from Sharni Vinson, as our spunky lead character Erin, it is otherwise messy, contrived, overegged and indulgent. Take for example when the family is attacked by persons unseen at dinner. Both the camerawork, wobbly to the point of being absurd, and the overripe character reactions make it a headache to sit through.
YOU’RE NEXT is neither as clever or as funny or indeed as original as it thinks itself to be. It made next to no sense to me. The female characters become the story’s initial victims and portrayed as helpless, hapless, and called upon to scream – not exactly in keeping with the times. Paradoxically the only woman victim not to scream is the film’s very first victim but then it suited the plot better for her to buck the filmmaker’s trend.
Special Features
New 4K restoration and HDR Dolby Vision grade approved by Director Adam Wingard
Dual format edition including both UHD and Blu-ray with main feature and bonus features on both discs
New audio commentary with Director Adam Wingard and Writer Simon Barrett
Audio commentary with Adam Wingard, Simon Barrett, Sharni Vinson, and Barbara Crampton
Children of the 80s: A new interview with Adam Wingard and Simon Barrett
The Most of Us: A new interview with Producers Keith Calder and Jess Wu Calder
Script as a Blueprint: A new interview with Actor AJ Bowen
Down in the Basement: A new interview with Actor Joe Swanberg
Be Funny and Die: A new interview with Actor Amy Seimetz
Falling into Place: A new interview with Production Designer Tom Hammock
Slashers Don’t Die: Tim Coleman on You’re Next
Who’s Next? The Making of You’re Next
Animated Storyboards
Limited Edition Contents
Rigid slipcase with new artwork by Nick Charge
120-page book with new essays by Martyn Conterio, Andrew Graves, Kurt Halfyard, Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, Shelagh Rowan-Legg, and Heather Wixson
Six collectors’ art cards
