If you’re looking for a film to shock you down to the last nerve, “You’re Next” is not your best bet.

The film centers on a wealthy, if distant family, that falls prey to an armed band of

mask-wearing killers.

Sure, the scenario is unoriginal, but the film still has a chance to serve up the gore.

In execution, however, “You’re Next” fails to deliver.

With half of them occurring off-screen, the murder scenes fail to provoke chills.

The murders that do occur onscreen are offset by bad special effects – watery blood, oozing lasagna “wounds” over the actors’ real limbs – and out-of-place acting.

Here, it’s the fault of the writing.

The characters are dull-eyed shades of people staring blankly off camera with pained faces and little emotion.

No one in the film is especially likable, aside from maybe autumn-haired Erin, played by Sharni Vinson, but even she falls victim to the general blandness.

What redeems the film in some respects is the dialogue.

There are times when the film takes turns from horror to silliness, and out comes the crazy.

Imagine this situation: masked men are attacking your family. Two people are already dead and it’s time to make a plan.

What do you do?

Do you argue about who’s the fastest runner?

Sure, why not? If it isn’t helpful, it sure is hilarious.

If you’re looking for ironic humor, go see “You’re Next.”

If you want to make your skin crawl, go watch “Tetsuo: The Iron Man” on YouTube, or something.