The V/H/S series has been a cornerstone of the found footage horror subgenre since its inception in 2012, captivating audiences with its anthology format and nostalgic nod to retro horror. The latest installment, “V/H/S/85” (2023), continues this legacy, blending eerie storytelling with a uniquely retro aesthetic. As its title suggests, this edition takes us back to the mid-1980s, recreating the VHS home video feel while delivering spine-tingling tales that haunt the viewer long after the screen fades to static.
A Journey into the Past: The Nostalgia of 1985
“V/H/S/85” leverages nostalgia as a potent tool, immersing viewers in the analog era of the 1980s. The film replicates the grainy, glitchy aesthetic of VHS tapes, making each segment feel like a forgotten recording unearthed from a dusty shelf in your parents’ basement. This visual style isn’t just a gimmick but an integral part of the storytelling, giving each tale a raw, unsettling atmosphere that modern, high-definition horror films often lack.
The year 1985 holds a special place in pop culture history, as it was an era defined by a unique blend of optimism and technological uncertainty. “V/H/S/85” captures that duality, using the low-fi quality of early camcorders to amplify the eerie realism of the footage. The imperfections in the recording—the static, the tracking issues, the audio distortions—become part of the horror, blurring the line between what’s real and what’s not.
The Anthology Format: Horror from Multiple Perspectives
Like its predecessors, “V/H/S/85” follows an anthology format, consisting of several short films connected by the common theme of found footage. Each story is crafted by a different director, bringing diverse perspectives and unique horror styles to the table. This variety keeps the viewer on edge, never quite knowing what to expect next, which is one of the strengths of the series as a whole.
The anthology format allows “V/H/S/85” to explore a wide range of horror subgenres, from supernatural hauntings to psychological terror. By tapping into the fears of the 1980s, it reflects on anxieties of the time—nuclear war, technological advancement, and societal change—while grounding them in the personal and intimate horror that found footage thrives on.
Key Segments: An Overview of the Stories
Without delving too deeply into spoilers, “V/H/S/85” presents a number of distinct and disturbing narratives. Each one is framed as though it were recorded by an amateur filmmaker, with all the trappings of home video—awkward zooms, shaky camera work, and moments where the person behind the lens becomes part of the terror.
One of the standout stories involves a group of friends who uncover a bizarre and supernatural phenomenon during a camping trip, only to realize that they are not alone. Another segment explores the strange and sinister happenings in a suburban family, recorded by their home security cameras. There’s also an unnerving story set in a local public-access television station, where the on-air host encounters something far more sinister than technical difficulties.
These tales are carefully interwoven with a dark meta-narrative, a hallmark of the V/H/S series, that makes the entire viewing experience feel like you’re watching cursed material. The connecting thread between the stories remains ambiguous, forcing the viewer to piece together clues and unsettling connections.
Filmmakers Behind the Horror
“V/H/S/85” continues the tradition of bringing together a talented roster of horror filmmakers, many of whom have made names for themselves within the genre. This installment includes contributions from renowned directors who each bring their distinct flavor of horror, ensuring that each segment feels fresh yet cohesive as part of the larger narrative.
The directors in “V/H/S/85” have embraced the limitations and quirks of 1980s technology, with some segments intentionally glitching out, overexposing footage, or using practical effects that harken back to the early days of horror filmmaking. This commitment to authenticity enhances the overall mood, making each short feel like a genuine artifact from the past rather than a modern recreation.
Reimagining Found Footage Horror
Found footage as a horror subgenre has had its ups and downs over the years. What once felt revolutionary in films like “The Blair Witch Project” (1999) has sometimes been critiqued as overused or stale in more recent years. However, “V/H/S/85” breathes new life into the format by combining nostalgia with innovative storytelling. The grainy, amateurish look of the footage works in its favor, pulling the viewer into the world of the film in a way that glossy productions can’t.
The film also plays with the idea of memory and loss, themes that are enhanced by the format itself. There’s something inherently haunting about VHS tapes—they degrade over time, losing parts of the image or sound. This decay mirrors the loss of memory, making the viewer question what is real and what is distorted by time. “V/H/S/85” taps into this existential fear, using it as a tool to deepen the horror.
The Legacy of V/H/S and Its Impact on Modern Horror
The V/H/S franchise has always stood out for its creative approach to horror. By using the found footage format, the series allows filmmakers to experiment with storytelling techniques that are more immersive and unsettling than traditional narrative styles. “V/H/S/85” continues this tradition, proving that the series is still relevant in a world where horror cinema is constantly evolving.
What makes “V/H/S/85“ particularly compelling is its embrace of retro aesthetics in a way that feels genuine rather than gimmicky. The 1980s setting is not just a backdrop, but an integral part of the storytelling, reflecting the era’s fears and anxieties while delivering modern scares. For fans of found footage horror, this installment is a must-watch, continuing the franchise’s legacy of pushing the boundaries of the genre.
Conclusion: A New Classic for the VHS Generation
In “V/H/S/85”, the combination of retro technology, anthology storytelling, and found footage horror creates an experience that is both nostalgic and terrifying. The film serves as a tribute to the VHS era while pushing the boundaries of modern horror. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the series or new to the world of V/H/S, this latest installment promises a haunting and unforgettable ride.
For horror enthusiasts, “V/H/S/85” stands as a shining example of how the found footage genre can continue to evolve, remaining relevant and unsettling for new generations of viewers.
