YOU’RE NEXT
****
Directed by Adam Wingard.
Starring Sharni Vinson, AJ Bowen, Joe Swanberg.
Horror, US, 2011, 95 minutes, Certificate 18.
Released on 4K and Blu-ray Limited and Standard Editions on 19th August by Second Sight
Second Sight keep up their increasingly stellar work with re-releasing cult classics in their own signature style of beautifully presented and packaged editions. Over ten years after its cinema release it is a pleasure to revisit the film that made director Adam Wingard and co-screenwriter Simon Barrett’s careers, years before their move into franchise filmmaking with the recent US Godzilla movies.
This spin on the home invasion sub genre, detailing the ordeal of a rich families reunion coming under attack from a gang of crossbow wielding, sheep mask wearing killers remains as fresh and entertaining as it did on its original release. While low in budget it never once feels cheap as Simon Barrett’s zippy script smartly subverts the Final Girl trope as well as bringing a much needed lighter tone than could be found in other films with a similar premise such as THE STRANGERS and French nerve shredder ILS (THEM). Humour and horror go hand in hand and Wingard and Barrett judge the changes in tone remarkably well while setting up and paying off a large number of humour and gore gags throughout.
The character work from now familiar faces from the indie horror scene, including AJ Bowen, Amy Seimetz and even MAXXXINE director Ti West all provide excellent work with their well written characters while Sharni Vinson excels as Erin, the resourceful, and then some, protagonist who soon faces up to her mysterious invaders in increasingly satisfying ways. And special mention of course goes to Barbara Crampton, returning to the screen here after so many years away in an affecting role where she really proves her worth as a genre hero.
This 4K release is well worth upgrading from the previous Blu-ray and DVD releases. Andrew Droz Palermo’s autumnal cinematography is presented beautifully here with an excellent 4K remaster showcasing the dark exteriors contrasting with warm interiors and blood red carnage with all its filmic quality intact like never before.
The disc itself is stacked with a wealth of special features. Alongside the previous commentary track with Wingard, Barrett, Crampton, and Vinson, there is a new commentary reuniting Wingard and Barrett looking back and enjoying the film now with the benefit of time passed. Alongside these informative commentaries is a number of interviews including an hour long discussion between the writer and director explaining their influences on the story and filming, while Amy Seimetz, now an accomplished director herself, looking back fondly on the shooting and the genre itself. AJ Bowen and Joe Swanberg also provide informative insights into their experiences with their genre backgrounds.
Although expensive, the limited edition set is worth shelling out the extra pounds for with its rigid slipcase, art cards and 120 page book with a series of essays from the likes of Martyn Conterio, Andrew Graves, Kurt Halfyard, Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, Shelagh Rowan-Legg and Heather Wixson.
The 4K restoration work on display here makes the film look brand new, with the only element that has aged being Ti West’s questionable taste in scarves. Fans of the film should enjoy this new digital clean up while newcomers can brace themselves for a film that is still as slickly entertaining and exciting as it was when first released.
Iain MacLeod
