You're Next (2011)

You're Next opens with a scene that Scream (and to a further extent, Scary Movie) parodied over a decade ago. We're first introduced to a couple while they're having sex, before the man, clearly having enjoyed himself, leaves to go in the shower, and the women, looking deeply unsatisfied, looks solemnly out of the window into the isolated countryside setting we'll spend the rest of the film in. These two are quickly killed; the filmmakers' choice to instill brief moments of emotion in either character appearing bafflingly pointless. This whole sequence is only to introduce the setting, the tone, and the killers - here wearing bunny masks (going by the old horror maxim that cute things make for extra scary things when they're trying to kill you). Although an opening like this is telling us something else, whether it knows it or not: that this is one of those horror movies, playing into the traditional formula with only slight aesthetic changes from the last one of these you watched, similar to a new map pack for a video game you've already invested hours in.

If you've watched enough of these movies then you should recognize the formula: the isolated setting relies on inconveniences like no one having a phone signal; the core cast of characters - made up of four siblings, their significant others, and their mum and dad - all seeing each other for the first time in a while, have some underlying conflicts which are swept under the rug once the killing starts (creating a strangely inspirational 'lets band together in the face of evil' message that feels out of place); one of the characters having some exceptional survivalist skills, providing an unexpected challenge for the killers as the house is transformed into a booby-trapped lair, resembling an adult version of Home Alone. Even the plot twist in the film's finale feels done out of obligation to the genre. It's not that You're Next gets anything wrong, it has some squelchy killings and tense moments, it just never goes out of its way to get anything extremely right. The filmmakers were clearly never aiming for 'the most squelchy killings' or 'the most tense moment' - You're Next is the horror movie equivalent of that school kid who's only aim is to not fail his exams, nothing more. Which is at least a way to say You're Next doesn't fail.

There's some obvious situations when a film following the formula has its positives, i.e. when looking for a movie to watch while snuggling up with a significant other that promises some scares, or when choosing a movie to watch late at night that comes with the guarantee you won't have to use much brain power. These compliments might sound a little backhanded, and they are: I won't defend You're Next because it is guilty of everything a whole subcategory of film is guilty for. Genre movies are funny things though, no one ever watches one because it has threw out the rule book: people want to see the usual conventions, just done in new or interesting ways. You're Next doesn't do this, it only upkeeps the usual stuff to a decent quality.