Review: ‘V/H/S/94’ Resurrects the Anthology Franchise with 5 New Horrific Tales

V/H/S/94 begins streaming only on Shudder October 6th! Reader Beware Spoilers!!

With its World Premiere at Fantastic Fest 2021, the return of the popular V/H/S anthology franchise was introduced to an eager audience. V/H/S/94, a SHUDDER original film, marks the fourth installment of the found-footage series and saw two alumni back in the director’s chair: Simon Barrett (Séance) and Timo Tjahjanto (May the Devil Take You Too). Acclaimed filmmakers Ryan Prows (Lowlife), Chloe Okuno (Slut), and Jennifer Reeder (Knives & Skin) contribute their tales of terror as well.

The V/H/S franchise started in 2012, created by Bloody Disgusting founder Brad Miska, and featured segments by Adam Wingard, Ti West, and David Bruckner who would go on to storied careers of their own. Told through a series of Found Footage shorts with a wrap-around storyline to tie the whole movie together, the premise became a big hit and continued with V/H/S/2 (2013) and V/H/S Viral (2014).

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Starting us off is “Holy Hell”, which also serves at the wrap-around story of V/H/S/94. Helmed by Jennifer Reeder, this story begins as a SWAT team is getting pumped up on their way to what they believe is a drug raid at an abandoned warehouse. The atmosphere is pure testosterone and metal music as the group pulls up and makes their move. Quickly they realize that something more sinister is going on as bodies, with their eyes removed, are found propped up in front of television sets throughout the location.

It’s not until they discover a “viewing room”, that they realize this is no drug bust and they’ve stumbled upon a much darker reality. Reeder does a lot with little time, bridging the gaps between videos. Usually, the a forgotten portion of these movies, she keeps the tension, suspense and body count rising as we delve deeper and deeper into the abyss of the video cult.

“Storm Drain” is the first story in the anthology and it’s a fun one that goes much further and bizarre than expected. Beginning with a “person on the street interview”, we follow Holly Marciano (Anna Hopkins), a local news reporter doing a story of the “Rat Man,” who has been seen in local storm drains around town. Shooting at the mouth of the sewer tunnels, cameraman Jimmy (Steven McCarthy) thinks he sees something and travels further into the darkness.

Wanting to turn the segment into a legitimate journalistic piece about the homeless population living down here. There is a bit of an homage to the documentary Dark Days, by Marc Singer, and Holly ventures deeper into the tunnels but as expected, doesn’t get her Pulitzer winning story. Some fun creature effects here, kind of reminded me a bit of the Alien hybrid from Alien Resurrection to a degree. There is also a fun nod to a certain horror classic in the final twist, see if you can guess which one.

“Empty Wake” from Simon Barrett is the second installment, and it’s a very minimalistic piece. Barrett made his debut with a segment in V/H/S/2 titled “Tape 49”. In V/H/S/94, cameras are set up as a funeral package perk to record the wake in a memorial video. New employee, Haley, is hosting the overnight wake for Andrew Edwards and is responsible for changing out the tapes as they run out.

Odd sounds here and there, and a power outage are about the most exciting things to happen until a stranger appears to pay their “respects” and leaves just as quickly after a few ominous words. It’s then that all hell breaks loose, and we’re given a first-person POV into a nightmare scenario, that has some incredible effects frankly saving the segment and adding a list of questions as well. Which I plan on asking after it premiers on the streaming platform.

Timo’s “The Subject” is the standout in the anthology. Not only the best looking cinematically, but also incredible special effects and makeup. Dr. Suhendra is wanted by the authorities after several of his patients have gone missing only to re-appear in the nearby canal, well most of them. Trying to create biomechanical hybrids, and comparing himself to the modern Da Vinci, he has gone into hiding and is currently working on subjects 098 and 099.

When a raid on his lair leaves him, well, no longer alive, it’s his final subjects that will put a vengeful police captain and his team in a world of hurt. By far the bloodiest, and most character nuanced of the bunch, I could easily see this becoming a feature. By the end, it’ll leave you wanting more of the story and guessing what would happen next.

The final chapter “Terror” by Ryan Prows, is terrifying in both the subject matter that we’re all too familiar with these days, unfortunately, and by the mysterious terror that is being kept locked in a room covered in crosses. The premise revolves around a group of “patriots” who are planning a terrorist act against a federal building with a secret weapon they are working to perfect at their compound.

There isn’t a whole lot of backstory on the man they routinely assassinate night after night, but we do know that no matter what, he can’t be allowed to escape. Unfortunately for these halfwit wannabe warriors, a night of drunken celebration ends, well not the way they saw it going in their misguided dreams of glory. With a unique creature and dark humor, there is a lot to like in the anchor of the movie.

V/H/S/94 is a return to the anthology horror that I truly love. Written by David Bruckner and connected in a way that hasn’t been the case in the previous installments. This latest V/H/S movie is sure to please this Halloween season and hopefully open the door to more installments of the franchise. Showcasing new voices in the genre is never a bad thing for those of us who are looking for new storytellers to frighten and wow us. Good on Shudder for resurrecting the showcase and hopefully it’s as well received by the audience that made it a success in the first place. 4/5

★★★★

V/H/S/94 will begin streaming only on SHUDDER Wednesday, October 6th, 2021, but for now check out the trailer below. Have you watched V/H/S/94 yet? Leave a comment and let us know what you think! Be sure to follow ScaryNerd for of all thing horror sci-fi and more.

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