You are Next

A Snoot Entertainment production in colaboration with HanWay Films. (Worldwide sales: HanWay, London.) Created by Keith Calder, Jessica Wu, Simon Barrett, Kim Sherman. Directed by Adam Wingard. Script, Simon Barrett.With: Sharni Vinson, Nicholas Tucci, Wendy Glenn, AJ Bowen, Joe Swanberg, Margaret Laney, Amy Seimetz, Ti West, Take advantage of Moran, Barbara Crampton, Ray Fessenden, Kate Lyn Sheil, L.C. Holt, Lane Hughes, Simon Barrett, Calvin Lee Reeder.There might be no great originality displayed in "You are Next," the most recent indie horror opus from Adam Wingard ("A Terrible Method to Die," "Pop Skull"), there is however certainly lots of energy. Once brief preliminaries are gone, this tale of the wealthy family under siege in the requisite isolated country home offers genre fans the things they came for when it comes to high-body-count mayhem. Without doubt smelling bloodstream -- which there's plenty -- in addition to B.O. potential, distribs were tightly circling this chiller at Toronto, with prospects of wider play compared to helmer has formerly obtained most likely. The prelude sees unfortunate neighbors (Wingard's indie horror compatriot Ray Fessenden and Kate Lyn Sheil) suffer an uncomfortable publish-coital demise as a result of burglars who leave the titular phrase scrawled in bloodstream. Tugging up in blissful lack of knowledge shortly after that are Paul (Take advantage of Moran) and Aubrey Davison (Barbara Crampton), who're going to celebrate their 35th anniversary in the organization of the four children, likely to attend using their partners. First to reach is Crispian (AJ Bowen), an not successful teacher/author supported by game, encouraging Aussie g.f. Erin (Sharni Vinson). He's treated somewhat because the family failure, especially by smug, tricky brother Drake (Joe Swanberg), whose own squeeze Kelly (Margaret Laney) is his right diamond necklace in bitchy shallowness. Youngest bro Felix (Nicholas Tucci) includes a vaguely delinquent air, and the honey, Zee (Wendy Glenn), can barely be troubled to hide her contempt toward all. Sole Davison daughter Aimee (Amy Seimetz) is really a chirpy princess or queen who's acquired a sulky artistic boyfriend (Ti West, helmer of 2009 cult fave "Home of the Demon"). The entire family has not collected for a while, and that we soon understand why. They have barely sitting lower to dinner before Crispian and Drake are in each other peoples throats, with everybody else yelling their way to prevent. Throughout this fracas, a guest notices something strange outdoors your window. Seconds later everybody is screaming for entirely different reasons, as you person continues to be wiped out, another seriously wounded, and also the remainder are scrambling for cover from the volley of crossbow arrows -- only some of the weapons that'll be wielded by a mystery quantity of attackers putting on plastic animal masks. It's fast apparent the best mind here goes to Erin, whose frequently lethal ingenuity under extreme conditions is eventually described as because of her being elevated on the survivalist compound. As Davisons drop like flies, her Final Girl resilience helps somewhat the odds. About midway with the script by Simon Barrett (who also composed 2004's excellent, underseen Civil War-era horror "Dead Wild birds") we uncover this onslaught is definitely an inside job -- though don't expect much surprise or weight to 1 character's full-disclosure speech in the finish. "You are Next" is rather light on mental and narrative complexity, but it is still a great cut over the slasher norm, with an understanding on visceral action and also the knowledge to put tongue slightly in oral cavity when things go further outrageous. Able cast is dotted with genre personas, including the 3 leads from "A Terrible Method to Die." Set up is sharp, using the strong original score compromised only with a brief late foray into self-purposely cheesy eighties synth sounds.Camera (color, HD, widescreen), Andrew Palermo editor, Wingard music, Jasper Justin Lee, Kyle McKinnon, Mads Heidtberg costume designer, Emma Potter art director, Nathan Truesdell set decorator, Lanie Belief Marie Overton production designer, Thomas S. Hammock seem, Lotus Publish casting, Michelle Morris. Examined at Toronto Film Festival (Night time Madness), Sept. 13, 2011. Running time: 94 MIN. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com