Running Time: 114 Minutes
Certification: 18
Starring: Thom Hallum, James C. Burns, Jolene Andersen, Tyler Joseph Andrews, Vas Provatakis, Phillip Andre Botello, Namrata Sheth, Sayandeep Sangupta, Rohan Joshi, Bobby Slaski, Rhett Wellington, Jerry Campisi, Bix Krieger, Hannah McBride, Libby Letlow, Matthew Layton, Braedyn Bruner, Kevin Bohleber, Alanah Pearce
A franchise built around anthology features, the V/H/S films originally began with limited theatrical releases alongside their VoD releases, although the declining box office figures left it initially as a trilogy. Then, in 2021, Shudder revived the franchise for their streaming service with V/H/S/94, and the success has left it to return annually with new directors helming segments. For their seventh entry, V/H/S/Beyond takes the series to intergalactic places.
It opens on the narrative wraparound from Jay Cheel, entitled Abduction/Adduction. Presented as a documentary, it follows the discovery of two video tapes which supposedly contain proof of an alien encounter. The wraparound can often be the weakest element of an anthology film, and that does not change here. This story continues before and after every segment on this film, and it feels like an idea dragged out until the final appearance. Admittedly, it is not the best start to this feature.
Things get on more stable ground with Jordan Downey's segment, Stork. Amidst a string of baby kidnappings, a police unit (including the father of a missing baby) arm themselves to enter a broken-down house containing the person responsible. What they are surprised to find inside are shambling people resembling zombies, including one wielding a chainsaw, but that is only the beginning of the surprises lurking within. Admittedly, this is a segment that stretches itself to utilize the found footage technique, and could have used more time to distinguish key characters. Despite that, this is a creepy and thrilling work that could have been called Invasion of the Baby Snatchers.
Next up is Dream Girl, from co-writer/director Virat Pal. On the set of a Bollywood film, Mumbai paparazzi Arnab (Sayandeep Sangupta) and Sonu (Rohan Joshi) sneak in to get footage of the latest sensation, Tara (Namrata Sheth). Their task to get candid shots of the star leads them to uncovering more than they could have imagined. What unfolds is a fascinating representation of the ways celebrities can be dehumanised and treated as commodities, along with a killer dance number and some gruesome kills, although the question arises whether this fits within this film's space theme.
Back in this franchise's inaugural entry, Radio Silence directed the closing segment, 10/31/98. Returning for another segment is Justin Martinez, a co-founder of the collective who delivers this film's strongest entry, Live and Let Dive. It begins on a plane in motion, as numerous acquaintances have gathered to skydive in celebration of Zach's (Bobby Slaski) 30th birthday. Before they can jump out, a large UFO and several fighter jets are spotted just outside the plane. The situation quickly worsens, with the celebrations transforming into a tense nightmare that gets impressively gruesome and rather mean-spirited.
Following their feature directorial debut, 2021's Lady of the Manor, Christian and Justin Long make their follow-up with a segment entitled Fur Babies. The story begins with animal rights activists deciding to investigate the house of Becky (Libby Letlow), who supposedly runs a dog daycare center. As two of the activists try infiltrating the home, they soon find themselves in danger upon discovering what Becky is actually doing. It can get rather silly, but the Longs bring this segment alive in such creepy ways that leave it burned into your mind. Admittedly, it feels out of place within the overarching space theme, but it does leave one pondering if Justin Long ever got over starring in Tusk.
The final segment is called Stowaway, serving as the directorial debut of Kate Siegel as she adapts a script written by her horror-icon husband, Mike Flanagan. It follows a woman named Halley (Alanah Pearce), who is in the Mojave Desert documenting her findings in search of extraterrestrial encounters. As she records the recollections of various people, she soon finds an alien spaceship and decides to examine it from the inside. What unfolds is rather interesting, capturing a compelling idea for body horror, although it is presented within a repetitive manner that unfortunately becomes tiresome.
Ever since its revival, the V/H/S franchise has become a welcoming presence with each annual release, even if the quality is not so consistent. While V/H/S/Beyond has effective highs within, it feels less consistent than its predecessors, but remains a fun way to spend 2 hours.
V/H/S/Beyond is available on Blu-Ray, DVD, and Digital. It is also available to stream on Shudder.
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