FRIGHT FEST: V/H/S 94

 The V/H/S franchise returns seven years after the devastatingly disappointing V/H/S Viral. Can this latest outing restore V/H/S to what it once was?

HOLY HELL

The wrap-around segment this time is entitled 'Holy Hell', and it's directed by Jennifer Reeder (Knives and Skin). In it, a S.W.A.T. team go on a drug raid after receiving a disturbing video. As they explore the location, they find a different video or V/H/S being played in each room. This one was pretty meh for me up until the fan service-y final reveal (which I dug). The acting by the S.W.A.T team members quickly grew on my nerves, and the first shot looked super cheap (though the short does look better as it goes on). Overall, I'd qualify this one as just good.

3/5

STORM DRAIN

The first V/H/S we are treated to is entitled 'Storm Drain', and it's directed by Chloe Okuno. A tv news journalist is given an assignment to investigate claims of a "Rat-Man" who has been living in the sewers and terrorizing the townsfolk. As the journalist and her cameraman (unwisely) travel deeper into the sewers, they might just come to regret their search for answers. The first thing that really threw me out of it was the jornalist's complete and sudden 180 character change. She goes from being hesitant about trekking into the sewers, to suddenly all gung-ho about going deeper in once they find a homeless man's sleeping bag (The reasoning is that the journalist believes she can turn this into a story about the conditions the homeless are living in, but I'm not buying it). Luckily, Rat-Man is an impressive and freaky practical effect, the truth behind Rat-Man is kind of bonkers (in a good way), and the final effect gag is delicious. Storm Drain is ultimately flawed, but super-entertaining.

3.5/5

THE EMPTY WAKE

Directed by Simon Barret (The Guest, You're Next), we follow a young woman who is in charge of an empty overnight wake for a young jumper. As the night goes on, strange events convince her that the man in the coffin is still alive, but the truth is much darker and stranger. A good deal of this short felt very similar to watching an episode of 'Scare Tactics'. There is very minimal plot, the events until the finale aren't that terrifying, and I'm not sure what happened at the end. Luckily, this short is built around one practical effect, and what a practical effect it is (It more than makes up for what is otherwise quite a lackluster entry). 

3/5

THE SUBJECT

Directed by Timo Tjahjanto (an alum of V/H/S, having directed 'Safe Haven' in V/H/S 2. He also directed May The Devil Take You, Headshot, and Portals). A mad scientist is kidnapping people and experimenting on them in an attempt to create the perfect human/robot hybrid. When a police force run by a brutal commander busts the doc, no one might make make it out alive. The action and practical effects are insane and commendable, and the story has potential...unfortunately there is A LOT of bad CGI, and the short changes perspective/cameras far too many times (How exactly was all this footage compiled into one movie?). You would expect better from a V/H/S alum. 

2.5/5

TERROR

Directed by Ryan Prows , A crazed right-wing/religious extremist group has kidnapped a vampire, and plan on using it's blood as an explosive weapon to be used to blow up a federal building. Naturally, these are a bunch of gun-happy idiots so....things don't go exactly as planned. Yeah, this is the best short out of the bunch. The footage feels old and authentic, and it looks grainy enough (not to the point where it's hard to make out, thank God). The proceedings are also a ton of fun, and the ending gets appropriately bonkers. Terror ends V/H/S on the right note.

3.5/5

In the end, V/H/S 94 isn't quite as scary as the first two V/H/S installments. Luckily, the practical effects featured within are all super impressive and the proceedings are always bonkers and fun. V/H/S 94 makes for a fun, bloody viewing during Halloween season and it's likely to please most V/H/S fans.

3.5 STARS