You're Next (2011) Horror Movie Poster

You're Next (2011)

Released: September 10, 2011
Runtime: 94 min
R
United States
English

The wealthy Davison family gathers at their country house in Missouri for a family dinner. Crispian brings his girlfriend, Erin. During a tense dinner, a crossbow bolt flies through the window, and killers in animal masks begin picking off the family one by one. But they did not expect Erin. Directed by Adam Wingard and written by Simon Barrett, You're Next premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2011, but was not released in cinemas until 2013. It is loved for its dark humour, its surprising twist and one of horror's most capable heroines.

7.6/10

Horror Jungle Rating

IMDb
IMDb

6.6/10

IMDb Rating

Rotten TomatoesRotten Tomatoes

80%

Rotten Tomatoes

QUICK HORROR SNAPSHOT

Creepiness & Uncanny
8/10
Monster / Killer Threat
7/10
Atmosphere & Dread
7/10
Re-watch Value
8/10
Gore & Violence
8/10
Jump Scares
7/10
Psychological Terror
5/10
Overall Scare Factor
6/10
Tension & Suspense
8/10

Official Trailer

Where to watch

Updated November 12, 2026

Fandango at Home
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AMC+
AMC+CA · US
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Apple TV
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Amazon Prime Video
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Shudder
ShudderCA · US
Available

SHOULD YOU WATCH IT?

Worth Watching?A fun, clever twist on the home invasion slasher.
Yes
Watch Alone?It is more fun than frightening.
Yes
Watch in the Dark?The masks are creepier in the dark.
Yes
Good for Date Night?Gory, funny and satisfying.
Yes
Watch With Parents?Gore, nudity and strong language.
No
Beginner Friendly?Lots of graphic violence.
Maybe
Family Friendly?Rated R for strong bloody violence, language and some sexuality and nudity.
No
Slow Burn?The attack starts during dinner.
No
Headphones Recommended?The repeated song "Looking for the Magic" is memorable.
Maybe
18+
Age RecommendationContains strong horror content, violence, and disturbing themes.
17+

Spoiler Free Review

Erin (Sharni Vinson) is meeting her boyfriend Crispian's (A. J. Bowen) family for the first time. The siblings bicker, the parents are tense, and dinner is already a disaster when the attack begins. Masked killers with crossbows and axes surround the house.

The family panics, but Erin does not. In a smart twist on the formula, she knows exactly how to fight back, setting traps and turning the house against the killers.

Wingard and Barrett mix real tension with dark comedy, much of it from the family's petty squabbling. The animal masks are creepy, and the kills are creative and very bloody.

Some performances are uneven, and the twist is easy to guess. But You're Next is a fun, gory and clever slasher with a heroine who is easy to cheer for.

What Works

Erin, a smart and capable heroine.
Creepy animal masks.
Dark, bickering family comedy.
Inventive, satisfying kills.

What Doesn't Work

Uneven acting.
A predictable twist.
Shaky camera work in some scenes.

FINAL VERDICT:

You're Next is a clever, gory slasher that flips the home invasion formula. Watch it for Erin, and the blender scene.

spoiler-warning

Be Careful, Spoilers Ahead

Plot Summary (Spoilers)

A couple at a neighbouring house are killed by an intruder in a lamb mask, who leaves the words "you're next" written in blood. Nearby, Erin accompanies her boyfriend Crispian to a family gathering at his parents' country house in Missouri. Crispian's parents, Aubrey and Paul, are joined by his siblings Drake, Felix and Aimee and their partners.

During dinner, a killer in a tiger mask shoots crossbow bolts through the window, killing Aimee's boyfriend, Tariq. Their phones are jammed. Aimee runs for help and is killed by a wire stretched across the doorway. A killer in a fox mask kills Aubrey. Crispian leaves to find help.

Erin fights back, killing Tiger with a meat tenderiser. She explains that she grew up in a survivalist compound. Paul discovers that the killers have been hiding in the house for days, and Fox slits his throat. Felix and his girlfriend Zee calmly watch: they hired the killers to murder the family for their inheritance. Felix then kills his brother Drake.

Erin sets traps around the house. She kills Lamb, then lures Fox into the basement and kills him. Felix and Zee attack her, but she kills Felix with a blender and Zee with a knife. When Felix's phone rings, Erin answers. Crispian, thinking he is talking to Felix, reveals he was part of the plan all along. When he returns, he tries to bribe Erin, and she kills him.

A police officer arrives, sees Erin over Crispian's body and shoots her in the shoulder. Ignoring her warning, he walks through the front door and is killed by the axe trap she set.

Ending Explained

Who is behind the attack? Felix, Zee and Crispian, who hired the masked killers to murder their family for the inheritance.

Was Crispian involved? Yes. He was part of the plan, but did not expect Erin to be targeted. He tries to bribe her, and she kills him.

Why is Erin so good at fighting? She grew up in a survivalist compound and learned combat and survival skills.

Does Erin survive? Yes. She is shot in the shoulder by a police officer, but survives.

What happens to the police officer? He opens the front door and is killed by Erin's axe trap, a darkly comic final twist.

Hidden Meaning & Symbolism

  • Greed: The children would kill their parents for money.

  • Family: The family's resentments are as dangerous as the killers.

  • The final girl: Erin flips the usual victim role on its head.

  • Class: The wealthy family's privilege makes them helpless.

Scariest Moments

1

The Window: Crossbow bolts fly through the dining room window.

2

The Wire: Aimee runs out of the door into a garrote wire.

3

The Masks: A masked killer stands silently outside the glass.

4

The Blender: Erin's final fight with Felix.

Parents Guide / Trigger Warnings

Graphic Gore

Severe

Axes, machetes, a blender and a garrote wire.

Jump Scares

Moderate

Several sudden attacks.

Nudity

Moderate

Female toplessness.

Sexual Content

Moderate

Implied sex and crude sexual comments.

Substance Abuse

Mild

Social drinking and a character taking Vicodin.

Flashing Lights

None

No notable flashing lights.

Animal Death

None

No animal deaths.

Child Death / Peril

None

No children are in danger.

Suicide / Self Harm

None

No suicide or self-harm.

Trigger Warning Notes:

Contains graphic murders, family betrayal, nudity, sexual content and strong language.

Trivia

  • It premiered in the Midnight Madness section of the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival.

  • Lionsgate bought the US, UK and Canadian rights for $2 million four days after the premiere.

  • It was released in US cinemas on 23 August 2013, two years after its premiere.

  • It was shot at a mansion in Columbia, Missouri.

  • Director Ti West plays Tariq, and writer Simon Barrett plays the killer in the tiger mask.

  • It was made for about $1 million and grossed $26.9 million.

FAQS (Frequently Asked Questions)

Who are the killers in You're Next?

Three hired killers in lamb, tiger and fox masks, paid by Felix, Zee and Crispian.

Was Crispian in on it?

Yes. He planned the attack with Felix and Zee for the family inheritance.

Why is Erin so good at fighting?

She grew up in a survivalist compound.

Does Erin survive?

Yes, despite being shot in the shoulder by a police officer.

Why was You're Next released in 2013 if it premiered in 2011?

Lionsgate bought it after its 2011 premiere but delayed its release until 2013.

Is You're Next scary?

It is tense and gory, but also darkly funny.

Is You're Next very gory?

Yes. It is rated R for strong bloody violence.

Who directed You're Next?

Adam Wingard, later director of Godzilla vs. Kong.

Where can I watch You're Next?

It streams on Shudder and AMC+ in the US and Canada, and on Starz in the US.

Movie Information

Original Title

You're Next

Release Date

September 10, 2011

Runtime

94 min

Country

United States

Language

English

Status

Released

Director

Adam Wingard

Writer

Simon Barrett

Main Cast

Sharni Vinson, A. J. Bowen, Nicholas Tucci, Wendy Glenn, Joe Swanberg, Amy Seimetz, Barbara Crampton, Rob Moran, Ti West, Larry Fessenden

Production Company

HanWay Films, Snoot Entertainment

Distributor

Lionsgate

IMDb Page

View on IMDb