V/H/S/Halloween Review

Christmas comes early once again for the sickos! This time in the form of V/H/S/Halloween. Another entry into the horror anthology franchise. All these shorts are themed around Halloween. So, here is a review of the five new shorts and the frame narrative short. I might also do an updated V/H/S Shorts ranking, which I did two years ago.

Frame Narrative: “Diet Phantasma”

The frame narrative is the intro to the film and interlude between the shorts, and provides a capper to the film. This one is a clinical trial of a new soda called Diet Phantasma. We watch as test subjects try the new soda, with unpredictable side effects.

It’s pretty fun, but it begins to feel repetitive. I don’t think we needed five times of watching this soda have adverse effects until their goal is achieved in the final moments. However, it does build well. The penultimate interlude is quite fun.

3.5/5 Stars.

Segment One: “Coochie Coochie Coo”

Two high school senior girls decide to go trick-or-treating as a last hurrah before going to college. They encounter a house they initially think is a fun neighborhood haunted house; instead, they get way more than they bargained for.

I truly found this segment creepy. I was watching this with my Beats headphones, and a voice was heard behind me. I took my headphones, expecting to see my wife behind me, but no one. I instantly regretted the headphones.

Creepy tone, gross imagery, and a memorable antagonist, it’s a lot of what you want from a V/H/S Short. I didn’t catch the AI image in the short; I have since seen the suspected AI moment. There is no confirmation that AI was used, so until then, I will give the filmmaker the benefit of the doubt because the rest of this short was very strong.

4.5/5 Stars.

Segment Two: “Ut Supra Sic Infrna”

The police question Enric, whose friends were found murdered, missing their eyes. The police for Enric and make him reenact step by step in an attempt to understand what happened. It’s a decision they soon regret.

It’s a good premise, but the story is a bit thin. Perfect for a short and effective execution. No need to drag your story out longer if it is not needed. However, the short does feel a bit light.

4/5 Stars.

Segment Three: “Fun Size”

For some odd reason, a group of grown ass people decides to go trick-or-treating. And by grown-ups, I mean late college or post-college. They come across an unmanned candy basket, all of the candy looks foreign and unrecognizable, with a sign that says take one. They soon find out what happens when you take more than one.

The most fun of all the shorts, except maybe the last short, Fun Size, has the most comedic tone of this anthology. It’s over-the-top and stupid but self-aware. Another potential iconic antagonist, like something out of Saints Row: The Third. Our main characters are very annoying, though.

3/5 Stars.

Segment Four: “Kidprint”

A man runs a video store where he provides a service to film kids talking to use in case they go missing. So police have a current reference for what the children look and sound like. Also, because children in the community have gone missing.

This segment comes from seasoned filmmaker and horror expert Alex Ross Perry. I had high expectations seeing his name in the credits, and he did not disappoint. The most upsetting short in maybe all of the franchise. This will truly upset the normies.

5/5 Stars.

Segment Five: “Home Haunt”

Keith and his wife, and son put on a haunted house for their neighborhood every Halloween. This year, his son is “too cool” for it, but decides to help his Dad. The neighborhood has been turning on Keith, saying his haunt is lame, so he decides to turn up the scares with a record called “Halloween Horrors,” when played, unleashes demons, at least it claims.

This is the perfect entry into the V/H/S franchise. It’s fun, gory, and leaves you on a high at the end of the film. It reminded me of the last segment in the original V/H/S “10/31/1998”, which really captures the spirit of this franchise.

5/5 Stars.

Overall, this entry has probably the highest hit ratio of all the V/H/S films in the franchise. A couple of all-timers with a memorable one and only one that is a bit shaky, but it’s still better than the worst this franchise has to offer. If you’re a fan of this franchise, you will enjoy this entry.

4/5 Stars.