The Best Modern Slasher Movie

When people think of the best slasher movies, their minds usually go to the hits from the ’80s or even back to the ’70s, but there’s one from 2011 that might be the best of all. It’s the best to be released in the modern era from the 2010s onward, paying homage to the classics while doing something different overall.

That movie is You’re Next, an independent slasher that premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2011 before getting a wider release two years later. It performed well commercially for its small budget, yet remains a hidden gem horror movie.

You’re Next tells the story of an estranged family that gathers for a reunion, only to get targeted by a group of masked killers. Once the credits roll, you can see several reasons why You’re Next is a modern slasher classic.

You’re Next Received Great Reviews

While the slasher subgenre is beloved, the films in it aren’t always well-received. Outside of a select few, many popular slashers were blasted by critics, yet remain fun films to rewatch over and over. You’re Next is an exception because critics really liked it.

The film holds an 80% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which is higher than a lot of slasher movies. Praise went to the way the movie blends the horror elements like gore and memorable kills with bits of humor and the survival subgenre, making something rather unique.

Adam Wingard’s film had a little bit of everything that makes a slasher movie work. The kills are clever and creative, allowing them to stand out in the crowded genre, while the dialogue is snappy, and there’s just enough fun to make it endlessly rewatchable.

You’re Next Puts A Spin On The Slasher Genre

While there are plenty of classic slasher tropes to be found in You’re Next, the film really excels in the way it subverts expectations. The movie turns the genre on its head when the story progresses and the “final girl” proves to be just as deadly as the masked assailants.

The protagonist, Erin, does run and hide at points, but she eventually becomes the aggressor. She ambushes and kills one of the masked men before setting traps for the other killers. It becomes almost Home Alone-like in the way Erin takes out her opposition.

This is a big part of why the film is so good, especially since later similar movies that featured the final girl being a badass were also great. 2018’s Halloween and 2019’s Ready or Not feature two of the toughest women to ever grace a slasher, just like Erin in You’re Next.

A Few Other Movies In Contention For Best Modern Slasher

The Shadyside Killer wearing a skeleton mask and black cloak in Fear Street Part One: 1994

Calling You’re Next the best modern slasher is high praise and while this isn’t a genre that’s often revered by critics, some modern slashers also have a claim to that title. For starters, Netflix’s Fear Street trilogy is severely underrated, blending the witchcraft and horror subgenres masterfully.

The most recent sequels in the Scream franchise were praised by critics and audience members, while Ti West’s X and Pearl were both fantastic entries into the genre. The Candyman remake, 2018’s Halloween, and the hidden gem Hush are also high quality modern slashers.

In a lot of ways, this is another resurgence for the slasher genre like we had in the ’90s. Some really good ones have been arriving, whether in theaters or on streaming services. They have a lot to live up to be considered in the same breath as the likes of You’re Next.