V/H/S Halloween, the latest entry in Shudder’s anthology series, takes on one of the most essential themes in the horror genre – the Halloween season itself. With six segments, five of which being short horror films with the sixth serving as a frame narrative alongside these, there’s truly something for everyone in this year’s V/H/S entry. After attending the New York premiere for the film, which took place at the IFC Center in Greenwich Village, it’s safe to say that a big crowd setting for this movie drew some major scares, laughs, and downright uncomfortable moments.
With anthology films, it’s important to highlight the segments that really stood out the most. After watching the Fun Size segment, directed by Your Pretty Face is Going to Hell‘s Casper Kelly, I had a strong contender for one of my all-time favorite segments in a V/H/S film. Delivering on both the over-the-top kills one has come to expect from the series, along with a diabolically hilarious villain (and his sidekick), Fun Size is the ultimate life lesson for anyone who may be thinking about grabbing an extra piece of candy off their neighbor’s porch on Halloween night.
Another segment worth mentioning is Ut Supra Sic Infra, directed by REC series creator Paco Plaza. This segment opens with a mystery, following detectives as they work to solve the unthinkable while the audience is faced with gruesome crime-scene photos that seem to be the work of no human. This segment is a true highlight of the anthology, and one worthy of developing into a feature-length expansion. From the moment it starts, the film’s atmosphere is so gripping , with an anxiety-inducing pace. Ut Supra Sic Infra is a V/H/S segment I’ll be thinking about for a long time, and definitely one that immediately came to mind when thinking back on the entire film.
Finally, Home Haunt, directed by Micheline Pitt-Norman and R.H. Norman is a true Halloween nightmare. The story follows a father-son duo who get back together one last time to construct the ultimate “Home Haunt” in their backyard. But, it wouldn’t be a V/H/S film without a brutal twist, and this segment fully delivers on its theming just in time for the Halloween season. Overall, this movie doesn’t hold back and audiences who love a sobering, “grit-your-teeth” horror experience or those looking for a few “spooky” and interesting segments will find a home here. It’s worth noting that some of the other segments deal with more intense subject matter, but as a package it brings such a unique blend where viewers can’t truly anticipate what’s behind the next tape. V/H/S Halloween is a standout in the franchise, and definitely a concept worth revisiting in a second entry. For all your movie news & reviews, keep it here on NYCityGuys!
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