Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Bloody home invasion movie is more hype than content.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
You're Next
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 8 parent reviews
Based on 14 kid reviews
Kids say this movie is a mix of graphic violence and dark comedy, with numerous gory deaths and a strong female protagonist that some viewers appreciate. While it has moments of cleverness and engaging twists, many found it disappointing due to its predictable plot and extreme violence, suggesting it's best suited for mature audiences.
- graphic violence
- strong female
- dark comedy
- predictable plot
- mature audience
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
After a couple down the road is slain, YOU'RE NEXT moves onto the next house, where Paul (Rob Moran) and Aubrey Davison (Barbara Crampton) are celebrating their 35th wedding anniversary, with their grown children -- and significant others -- in attendance. Writer Crispian (AJ Bowen) comes with his Australian girlfriend, Erin (Sharni Vinson). Two more brothers and a sister, plus partners, also arrive, making the party 10 in total. The family sits down to dinner, starts arguing, and finds their arguing interrupted by intruders in animal masks. They start killing the family members one by one -- but then one woman starts fighting back, throwing a serious monkey wrench in their plans. Much bloody carnage later, who will be left standing?
Is It Any Good?
Storytelling clearly isn't Wingard's primary focus; it's possible the movie was meant to be funny, but he's a chronic camera-shaker, and the movie's amateurish look makes it hard to tell. Also, the story's red herrings stick out just a bit too far, calling attention to themselves. Ultimately, many of You're Next's ideas just don't make sense. The one high point is Vinson, who nearly makes up for it all.
The reason that You're Next has generated such buzz in horror circles is that director Adam Wingard is clearly a fan, which isn't always the case in a genre that often inspires lazy, disdainful copies. Many of the cast members are either genre filmmakers (Larry Fessenden, Joe Swanberg, Ti West), or horror icons (Crampton, from Re-Animator). But outside of this assembling of like minds, not many actual ideas are generated, except for the concept of the female warrior; often, women are victimized in "home invasion" movies like this one.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Your Next's gory violence. How much is shown? How over the top is it? Is it effective? Could the movie have gotten away with less?
Is the movie scary? What makes a good horror movie? What's the appeal of the horror genre in general? Why are these filmmakers such fans?
Is the main character a role model? What are her strong points? Weak points? Is she someone you'd want to emulate?
Movie Details
- In theaters : August 23, 2013
- On DVD or streaming : January 14, 2014
- Cast : AJ Bowen , Joe Swanberg , Sharni Vinson , Wendy Glenn
- Director : Adam Wingard
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Lionsgate
- Genre : Horror
- Run time : 96 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : strong bloody violence, language and some sexuality/nudity
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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