V/H/S/85 dives back into analog horror

The V/H/S franchise returns to its roots, with a new lineup of directors playing in the grimy, glitchy sandbox of 1985. V/H/S/85 delivers another collection of short horror stories, with each tale packed with eerie vibes, retro aesthetics, and, of course, plenty of gore. While the format maintains the nostalgia of found footage and grainy tapes, not every segment sticks the landing.

Scott Derrickson and David Bruckner, known for their previous horror hits, lend their unique styles to the anthology. Derrickson’s contribution has a tension-filled atmosphere that echoes his work in Sinister, while Bruckner’s segment drips with creepy visuals that leave a lasting impression. However, not every short achieves the right balance of suspense and terror. Some feel stretched or fall into predictable traps, sacrificing genuine scares for excessive shock value.

Natasha Kermani and Mike P. Nelson manage to capture the unsettling nature of the anthology with varying degrees of success. Kermani’s direction dives into weird and eerie territory, but occasionally leans too hard on stylized VHS effects, detracting from the narrative’s intensity. Nelson, on the other hand, delivers a gritty and raw portrayal, yet it struggles to elevate itself above standard horror clichés. The anthology’s signature “found-footage” style is as inconsistent as ever, alternating between genuinely unsettling and needlessly disorienting.

Then there’s Gigi Saul Guerrero’s segment, which injects a shot of adrenaline and grotesque imagery into the mix. While it goes full throttle on disturbing content, it might come off as more of a spectacle than a meaningful horror story. It’s gory, yes, but the lack of a satisfying narrative arc leaves a lot to be desired. That said, if you’re into over-the-top visuals and disturbing shocks, this segment might just hit the mark.

Overall, V/H/S/85 delivers on the retro horror aesthetics but falls short of recapturing the brilliance of its predecessors. The anthology’s strength lies in its dedication to the VHS aesthetic and the way it transports viewers to a time of homemade horror and analog creepiness. However, the uneven quality of the shorts and a tendency to rely on visual gimmicks rather than effective storytelling keep it from being a standout entry in the series.