You’re Next! – 4K UHD / BLU-RAY

As a cinephile who’s been around the block a few times and has seen more horror films than I care to remember, I must say that “You’re Next” is a hidden gem that deserves a spot in every horror enthusiast’s collection.

Prior to achieving success with the epic Godzilla vs Kong movies, director Adam Wingard was continuously improving his skills. He began this journey in 2004, starting with a sequence of short films and eventually transitioning to full-length features. On average, he released one film per year, with You’re Next! being unveiled in 2011.

The film centred on 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…

In the sequence of home invasion thrillers and horrors that emerged post-The Strangers (2008), ‘You’re Next!’ stood out as a particularly brutal and bloody affair. Unlike The Strangers, which built tension, this film saw its cast enduring a grisly demise, frequently at the hands of crossbows or knives. However, it was the food blender-related death that left an indelible mark on viewers. Amongst three films released by Wingard in 2011, ‘You’re Next!’ was undeniably the finest. Co-written by his frequent collaborator Simon Barrett, who also played one of the masked intruders, the plot revolved around Erin (Sharni Vinson), an outsider within the family, taking charge to protect them. This marked a significant departure for Vinson from her role in the Australian daytime soap opera ‘Home & Away’, and she subsequently moved to the US where she made waves with her dance moves in ‘Step Up 3D’. Alongside Vinson, Ti West, another horror director who gained prominence with Mia Goth and his X trilogy, was part of the cast. Additionally, Wingard managed to secure the appearance of Barbara Crampton, a veteran actress who had taken a break from her career to raise her children but made a comeback following ‘You’re Next!’, leading to her being cast in multiple films annually since then.

In about three weeks, the movie was produced and screened at the Toronto Film Festival. It was subsequently acquired for distribution, raking in $26 million globally on a modest budget. Since then, the director has created two successful summer blockbusters that grossed over $1 billion for Warner Bros. Given its success, it’s highly recommended to rewatch this earlier production, now available as a Limited Edition 4K UHD/Blu-ray box set and a standard edition 4K UHD/Blu-ray release too.

Originating from Second Sight, this edition has been handled with their usual care, given due respect, and boasts a crisp 4K restoration. It also offers an array of additional features such as:

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 Your 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

As a movie enthusiast, I must say that this blend of old and fresh footage is quite captivating, and the commentary is definitely worth giving a listen. Interestingly, Adam Wingard’s goatee has grown significantly since those old interviews, now resembling a full-on homage to ZZ Top, complete with wraparound shades in his recent interview alongside Simon Barrett.

As a cinephile delving into the realm of terror, I must say this film presents a unique twist on the classic home invasion genre reminiscent of “The Strangers.” However, what truly sets it apart is its abundant gore factor – a gruesome spectacle that will undoubtedly captivate horror enthusiasts.

Here’s the You’re Next trailer…..

2024-08-17 02:24

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