V/H/S/HALLOWEEN
Another glorious notch in the V/H/S/ franchise, Shudder presents the Halloween version.
Previously, each film played out in a single time period. Based on the reference in Coochie Coochie Coo, that segment takes place in the aughts, but KidPrint specifies 1992, and Home Haunt must occur in the 80s. That’s a nice departure from the rest of the films. Sticking to tradition, each movie features a homebase framework to work around. In V/H/S/HALLOWEEN, it’s a lab that disguises itself as a focus group company in a segment called “Diet Phantasma.” Ghost-infused soda wreaks havoc on its tasters. Bryan M. Ferguson strings us along for a gore-tastic good time.
In “Coochie Coochie Coo,” two high school seniors celebrate their final Halloween together with utter shenanigans. After entering a particularly creepy house, the girls find themselves trapped and tormented. Filmmaker Anna Zlokovic brings a local urban legend to life. With touches of Barbarian, it is undeniably disturbing.
Paco Plaza‘s “Ut Supra Sic Infra” follows the aftermath of a Halloween party massacre at a nightclub. We find a rattled Enrivo, the only survivor in the interrogation room of a police station. Officers take him back to the crime scene for a recreation. Editing is king in this segment. Slow clap for Plaza’s structure and the back-and-forth lens style. It is relentless dread and intrigue.
“Fun Size” finds filmmaker Casper Kelly following two couples trying to find the best treats on the block. When a lone bowl filled with candy they’ve never heard of sucks them into a portal. This one is captured via a GoPro camera attached to the couple dressed as found footage characters, literally. Now, in some demented candy factory, Fun Size is the most campy, laugh-out-loud mindfuck.
Alex Ross Perry‘s “KidPrint” tells the tale of a small town with a child serial killer. Tim, the electronic store owner and KidPrint consenesuer (short videos identifying kids in case they go missing), always has a camcorder running. This year, festivities are run by the police in the town square. In an effort to find the latest victim, Tim runs back to the store in search of her video, only to discover the gruesome footage taken on the floor. This segment is by far the most upsetting. Children in peril is always a bold choice, and Perry goes there.
Home Haunt” is our only filmmaking double team. Micheline Pitt and R.H. Norman recount a crumbling father-son relationship. Keith and Zack used to connect over their annual, elaborate haunted house builds, but time and cruel kids kill the Halloween spirit for Zack. Desperate for a dazzling theme, Keith swipes a record from a local oddities shop. The house takes on a life of its own, and mayhem and blood are real this time. This fast-paced, coordinated chaos is genre magnificence. Zack acts as videographer, capturing every wild kill as he, his parents, and neighbors wander from room to room. Home Haunt is nonstop, devilish delight.
V/H/S/HALLOWEEN reigns supreme. Fx and creature builds, across the board, are spectacular. Performances rule. Writing, directing, and cinematography have no loose threads. The anthology format lets fans get an annual take that is equal parts trick and treat.
Thank you, Brad Miska.
V/H/S/HALLOWEEN Trailer:
V/H/S/HALLOWEEN is now Exclusively Streaming on Shudder
DIET PHANTASMA directed by Bryan M. Ferguson
FUN SIZE directed by Casper Kelly
HOME HAUNT directed by Micheline Pitt-Norman and R.H. Norman
KIDPRINT directed by Alex Ross Perry
UT SUPRA SIC INFRA directed by Paco Plaza
COOCHIE COOCHIE COO directed by Anna Zlokovic
V/H/S/HALLOWEEN Synopsis: A collection of Halloween-themed videotapes unleashes a series of twisted, blood-soaked tales, turning trick-or-treat into a struggle for survival.
Directors: Anna Zlokovic, Paco Plaza, Casper Kelly, Alex Ross Perry, Micheline Pitt-Norman & R.H. Norman, Bryan M. Ferguson
Writers: Anna Zlokovic, Paco Plaza & Alberto Marini, Casper Kelly, Alex Ross Perry, Micheline Pitt-Norman & R.H. Norman, Bryan M. Ferguson
Producers: Roy Lee, Steven Schneider, Derek Dauchy, Josh Goldbloom, Michael Schreiber, Brad Miska
Music: Nick Chuba
Genre: Horror
Country: United States
Languages: English, Spanish
Runtime: 115 minutes
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