There was a lot of hype surrounding the You’re Next screening at Fantastic Fest 2011. Initially there was supposed to be two, then Lionsgate bought the film and pulled one of the screenings. Then it sat on a shelf for two years (for whatever reason) and now it’s on Blu-ray. It was fun to experience in the theater, but there’s something about watching a home invasion film at home that heightens the experience, makes you feel insecure about that shitty deadbolt on your door.

Adam Wingard’s You’re Next is more fun than it is scary and there are some great kills, of course. A lot of them too. There are about 10 people who gather in a large house in a rural area for a bit of a family reunion. Wingard’s peers Ti West and Joe Swanberg make nice in-joke cameos. A gang of killers donning eerie animal masks is watching the group, waiting for their time to slaughter them one by one.

A lot of people talked about how You’re Next “flips the home invasion genre on its head” and such. I don’t really see it that way. Sure, it’s cool that some of the killers are already in the house, but other than that it’s a really straightforward movie. And I mean that in the best way possible. I wasn’t crazy about Windgard’s post-You’re Next work in the V/H/S anthologies and The ABCs of Death, but in this film he shows that he’s capable of making a solid, competent thriller that’s as funny as it is gory. It just works on every level – from the stupidity of some characters to the comedy beats to the blood splatter. This bitch delivers.

The anchor of the film is Aussie actress Sharni Vinson as Erin, whose vague survival training background leads her to turn the table on the killers. If there’s any justice in this world (there isn’t) You’re Next will lead to more action roles for her. About halfway through the film it’s revealed why the killers have targeted this family, and here’s when the film goes from 10 to 11. The blood really hits the fan then as Erin becomes sort of a bloodthirsty Kevin McAllister – setting up deadly booby traps to cleverly dispose of the baddies. That blender scene…damn.

A/V

You’re Next is presented in 1080p HD in 2.35:1. The transfer looks solid, with very sharp details and textures. The colors in the film are pretty saturated, but the blood looks vibrant as hell.

The lossless DTS-HD 5.1 audio mix is appropriately immersive, which is how a horror film should sound.

Special Features

The disc comes with two commentary tracks: one with Adam Wingard and writer Simon Barrett, and one with those two guys and actors Sharni Vinson and Barbara Crampton. Both are worth checking out if you really dug the film. The former is a more technical track in which the guys talk about getting the film made, working with the actors, stunts, and other aspects like that. Their discussion of the film is light and entertaining. The one with the guys and gals is more relaxed, with everyone swapping anecdotes, character motivations, and other funny stuff about the shoot.

“No Ordinary Home Invasion” is an 11 minute behind the scenes look. There’s really nothing of substance here. It’s your standard mix of interviews and on set footage.

Overall Lionsgate has given You’re Next a solid release. The picture and sound are outstanding and the commentary tracks make up for a lackluster behind the scenes feature. Invite some friends over, get rowdy, make a night of this disc.