Different Representations in 'You're Next'

'You're Next' (2011) is a Lionsgate horror/thriller home invasion film based on what was leading up to be 'the perfect weekend' with family. Before not too long, the weekend takes a turn for the worst when a masked gang target the family holiday home killing off nearly all of the family members with it ending in a spine chilling plot twist.

Here is the trailer to 'You're Next' :

The Representation of Ethnic Groups:

In the film the characters are predominantly Caucasian however, they are all represented in different ways. The first person to die in the film is Tariq, Amiee's middle-eastern boyfriend, once he and Drake are shot by a cross bow (Drake survives this). The fact that Tariq was the first to die could denote that in 'You're Next' Ethnic minorities are signified as weak compared to the majority Caucasian Americans, as Drake (Caucasian) survived it could connote that his life is valued more than Asian Tariq. At the dinner scene Drake talks down to Tariq whilst the other family members ignore what Tariq is saying this could connote that the Caucasian characters believe that they are better than other Ethnic Minorities. Additionally, the female character Zee is also from another origin than America (however, it is unknown to me), she is darker in skin than the majority setting her aside from the predominant Caucasians. Her personality is dark and mysterious which later leads to her being one of the antagonist instigators; this could represent and connote ethnic minorities as being evil all together in the film.

The Representation of Gender:

As for You're Next, there is really no discrimination or prejudice towards any gender, they are both signified as strong as each other. One of the lead characters is Erin (personally my favourite) is eventually the last person standing - this is new and unconventional for the majority of horror films because the leading woman is usually killed off before the ending. The films beliefs are that your gender doesn't define your strength. Contradicting that, Erin says how she is only strong because of what her father taught her , ultimately she learnt everything from a man - representing and signifying male dominance, this may make a male audience want to watch because they are represented to be powerful.

The Representation of Age:

Ultimately 'You're Next' represents the younger generation as stronger.  This is made apparent when all of the older people are killed off in the beginning, in addition to all the 'fighters' appearing to be under the age of 30. The masked men are all between the ages of 20-30 (reasonably young). 

The Representation of Class:

In 'You're Next' the family members are signified as C1 Upper Middle class, this can be identified through the fact that the own a large holiday home. The plot twist in act 3 basically tells the audience how Crispin and Felix set up the whole house invasions/murder to get their hands on money. This represents how people go to all extremes to get their hands on money, this can represent and connote the strain on the American economy and how poor people are becoming.

It may be a good idea to consider and use these representations in our opening sequence because they (like our idea) push the boundaries.