V/H/S/99 (2022) Review by Phil Newton
V/H/S/99 (2022) Review by Phil Newton
V/H/S/99 is the fifth instalment of the ‘found footage’ franchise that showcases multiple tales of terror from upcoming and established horror talent. The first V/H/S (2012) included segments by Adam Wingard (The Guest) and Radio Silence (Scream), V/H/S/2 (2013) included segments by Gareth Evans (The Raid) and Jason Eisener (Hobo With A Shotgun), V/H/S: Viral (2014) included segments by Nacho Vigalondo (Colossal) and Moorhead & Benson (Synchronic) and most recently V/H/S/94 (2021) included segments by Chloe Akuno (Watcher) and Timo Tjahjanto (May The Devil Take You). A great pedigree then, and lots of expectations to live up to!
There’s no wrap around story this time, instead the film is interspersed with stop-motion footage of some toy soldiers battling a rat monster, as made by one of the characters in the fourth segment. V/H/S/99 kicks off properly with Shredding, directed by Maggie Levin (Into The Dark). A skate-punk band known as R.A.C.K. (the band members’ initials) break into Colony Underground, an old hardcore venue which saw the demise of all-girl rockers Bitch Cat after a freak electrical fire caused a fatal stampede. One of the band members warns the others that they’re at risk of possession by these restless souls, and with good cause…
Next up is Suicide Bid, directed by British filmmaker Johannes Roberts (47 Metres Down). Lily (Ally Ioannides) is a college freshman with her sights set on joining one particular sorority. As part of her initiation ritual, the sorority sisters dare Lily to be buried inside a coffin, which she agrees. However 20 years earlier in a similar dare, a girl was buried alive and her body disappeared…
The third and most gonzo segment is Ozzy’s Dungeon, directed by Flying Lotus (Kuso). Donna is a contestant in kids TV game show ‘Ozzy’s Dungeon’, where participants must compete in physical challenges for the opportunity to meet Ozzy in his dungeon, and be granted one wish. Overseen by the maniacal host (Steven Ogg) things get out of hand when poor Donna suffers a freak injury on set. Years later we find our host locked in a cage; Donna’s mother is seeking retribution for what happened, and is determined that Donna will get her wish granted, whatever the cost…
The fourth and most fun segment is The Gawkers, directed by Tyler McIntyre (Tragedy Girls). Dylan and his skater pals are typical horny teen boys, perving on girls and playing practical jokes on each other. When hot neighbour Sandra moves in across the street, the boys spy on her from Dylan’s bedroom window. To the guys’ disbelief, Dylan’s younger brother Brady – responsible for the toy soldiers footage – befriends Sandra and so they bully him into installing some spyware onto her computer so they can perv on her some more. Needless to say, they get more than they bargained for as there’s more to Sandra than meets the eye…
V/H/S/99 concludes with To Hell And Back, directed by Vanessa & Joseph Winter (Deadstream). Set on the eve of the new millennium, videographers Nate and Troy have been hired to film a cult ritual, in which one member has volunteered to offer up their body as a vessel to the demon Ukabon. Things go wrong and the two friends find themselves in another dimension which they believe to be Hell itself. Enlisting the help of damned soul Mabel (Melanie Stone, who steals the show) the pair have to find a way to avoid the demons and find their way back home…
Anthology films can often be hit-or-miss affairs but happily V/H/S/99 doesn’t have a weak link and is perhaps the strongest entry in the revived franchise. What particularly impresses with this instalment is the consistency in tone; all the stories have some kind of supernatural element, and there’s a palpable energy throughout with lots of humourous moments. This is V/H/S film-making with the shackles off, allowing the creators to run wild with their crazy ideas – and it’s a joy to watch. The effects – whether practical or CGI – are well done, and the efforts to create the authenticity of an old VHS tape, with its tracking issues, grain and random video footage, is to be applauded.
Having premiered on Shudder’s streaming service, the home entertainment release of V/H/S/99 from Acorn Media International features a wealth of bonus material, including an interview panel, deleted scenes and bloopers. The franchise appears to have really connected with its target audience – V/H/S/99 was Shudder’s most watched premiere last year – and with news of a sixth instalment V/H/S/85 in production, looks set to continue to terrify and delight us in equal measure.
