Horror Double Feature: Antisocial (2013) & You’re Next (2011)

Its been a while I haven’t done a double feature and these two movies probably deserve their own post but movie review backlog has kind of grown and there’s a ton that I wanted to do a write-up on and I haven’t.  Plus, Fantasia is only a few weeks away (really right around the corner) and I’m trying to not review too much because I just get tired and not want to do it.  Consider this a little break but also a little exercise on reviewing horror since I haven’t done it in a little while.

Let’s check out these two: Antisocial and You’re Next! 🙂

Antisocial (2013)

Director: Cody Calahan

Cast: Michelle Mylett, Cody Thompson, Adam Christie, Ana Alic, Romaine Waite, Ry Barrett

On New Year’s Eve, a mysterious epidemic sweeps the world.  Five friends who get together for a house party end up caught in the mess and locked inside. As they research the virus on their phones and laptops, they slowly turn from being paranoid to downright scared.  At the same time, the questions loom as they wonder who is hiding something, who is sick and what do they do next? Will they survive?

Ever since Fantasia Film Fest 2013, Antisocial has been on my radar.  I missed it because it had a 4pm showing on a weekday (if I remember correctly) so work took priority as it also overlaps one of the busiest times of the year for work.  Regardless, I grabbed a copy of it some time last year and have been meaning to watch it.  Finally, with my fiance on vacation, I got him to sit down and watch some horror with me (well, these two I’m reviewing).

This is how it starts…

For the most part, I enjoyed Antisocial.  The acting and dialogue isn’t exactly great but then a lot of low budget movies usually aren’t.  Some ideas, especially the ending is kind of Resident Evil-esque where as the whole set up has that eerie Pulse sort of feeling to it.  I think until the whole idea of where the virus came from, it was pretty good.  It makes a statement about social media and the control it has on our lives while mixing in the “zombie/apocalpyse” genre and for the most part, it works.

Sure, this is still focused on college students so there’s a ton of things you’d expect from some silly dialogue to inappropriate reactions but in general, I really enjoyed it quite a bit.  The lead, Michelle Mylett played her role really well.  And what I appreciated more than that was the whole build-up and especially how the shots were framed.  I never ever talk about this but I liked the whole atmosphere of it and what they were trying to do here.

My only issue was that I didn’t quite buy the explanation of how the virus works but then that ending (even if it felt a little overused) was a great set-up for a potentially better sequel and we’re getting one that will be released for Fantasia Festival (which I’m going to see) this year. There’s a lot of pretty negative reviews but I don’t agree with the majority of it.  Maybe I’m weird… Its not a masterpiece. Hell no, so don’t start biting my head off if you hated this but I enjoyed it.

Have you seen Antisocial? What did you think of it?

You’re Next (2011)

Director: Adam Wingard

Cast: Sharni Vinson, Nicholas Tucci, Wendy Glenn, AJ Bowen, Joe Swanberg, Amy Seimetz, Ti West, Rob Moran, Barbara Compton

When the Davison family comes under attack during their wedding anniversary getaway, the gang of mysterious killers soon learns that one of the victims harbors a secret talent for fighting back. – IMDB

Before we start this review, to justify myself a little, I have seen The Guest.  I just never got around to reviewing it.  But then, why would you need it, right? All of you lovely reviewers have already done a fabulous job of it.  I liked it a lot.  The style, the music and Dan Stevens and Maika Monroe and the atmosphere, everything was done really well.  So, when it came time that I saw You’re Next on sale shortly after I saw The Guest, I picked it up.  My only issue: as much as a lot of you think The Strangers was a great movie.  That movie ruined home invasion movies for me.  What works for the first half doesn’t when it starts feeling repetitive and that ending was horrible.  BUT, we’re not here for The Strangers and that is the closest I will come to watching/reviewing that one again.  Point is, I get a little nervous when it comes to home invasion movies because they can be boring and dragged out.  So here I am, hoping that You’re Next lives up to the hype that its got. If it has a fraction of The Guest’s style and atmosphere, we’re in for an awesome ride already 😉

 

Man, I ramble a lot. You’re Next is a neat little film.  I’m still not so sure whether the masks creeped me out, because I don’t think it did but the first half of the story building for that plot twist was really good.  It was predictable but I took the bait and still got all tensed up in a few scenes.  What makes home invasions effective (for me) are the unknown and unpredictability and here, you don’t know much about these animal masked invaders.  Not that this house had any peace as is since the family had obvious problems already.  Whats nice about You’re Next is the story.  This family has layers and layers.  They each have their issues and their personalities all make up for the choices they make as they approach this group of invaders who have an intricate plan.

I always wonder why invasions usually have 3 person team.  I just wonder if that structure works the best.  Or did this one have four? Man, I’m getting confused but You’re Next is pretty good and the plot itself is quite creative.  The best part is that our main character here, Erin, played by Sharni Vinson is super badass.  I mean, it really came out of nowhere.  It mixed a good bit of blood and gore with some creepy atmospheric moments that just sent a few chills down my spine.  Plus, there’s always something going on and it keeps the whole tense movie experience going and that worked effectively for this one.

You’re Next is definitely a good little horror and revives my interest in home invasion horror all over again 🙂

Have you seen You’re Next? Likes/dislikes?