‘V/H/S/Beyond’ ventures into sci-fi without escaping the ordinary

The horror franchise ‘V/H/S’ attempts to shake things up with its latest installment, ‘V/H/S/Beyond,’ by venturing into the realm of sci-fi. While this genre-blending tactic has sparked revivals for other franchises — think Jason X sending the iconic slasher into space — the seventh entry in the found-footage series struggles to find new ground. Streaming exclusively on Shudder from October 4, this edition offers moments of intrigue but ultimately feels like a rehash of familiar ideas.

A mix of reality and fiction

Directed by Canadian documentarian Jay Cheel, the wraparound narrative cleverly integrates interviews with real UFO enthusiasts and skeptics. These segments, enriched with historical snippets of alleged abductions and scenes from classic camp movies like Earth vs. the Flying Saucers, aim to lend an air of authenticity. Yet, the fictive component about a man’s mysterious disappearance and his chilling VHS tapes fails to deliver the remarkable punch needed for a standout story.

Familiar tales with familiar outcomes

The film features five diverse segments, each standing as a mini-horror flick in its own right. Yet, despite new thematic elements, the execution remains disappointingly predictable.

Stork by Jordan Downey

The first tale dives straight into chaos. Police raiding a decrepit house amidst a string of baby kidnappings encounter frenetic, zombified adults. The climax, a surreal attic tableau, stands out but ultimately adheres to repetitive bloody brawls.

Dream Girl by Virit Pal

Next, we head to the glittering sets of Mumbai, where two paparazzi sneak into a superstar’s trailer for candid shots. The revelation of a dark secret sparks another eruption of violence. While a Bollywood musical number injects novelty, it ultimately succumbs to the expected carnage.

Live and Let Dive by Justin Martinez

A birthday skydiving adventure takes a turn for the worse with an alien encounter mid-air. The mix of spaceship and government aircraft skirmishes leads to intriguing perils on the ground. Notable for its startling creature design, it still follows a predictable pattern of terror.

Attempts at Diversion

While these segments might blur together in a haze of shaky cam and frantic action, notable attempts to diversify the horror are made through the contributions of Christian and Justin Long and Mike Flanagan, collaborating with Kate Siegel.

Fur Babies by the Long brothers

This comedic tale, revolving around a suspicious pet boarding facility, veers into dark satire. Despite exploring a new direction, the heavy-handed caricatures and exaggerated plot make it the least impressive of the anthology.

Stowaway by Siegel and Flanagan

Offering a taste of character nuance, Siegel’s directorial debut follows Halley, a woman seeking truths in the Mohave Desert’s UFO hotspots. Yet, what might have been an in-depth exploration of her character ends murkily, failing to provide a satisfying arc.

The challenge of found footage

The repetitive format of found footage stories can quickly tire an audience. This format often devolves into hectic chase scenes with an over-reliance on chaotic camerawork and high-octane energy. Effective story-building requires a balance of suspense, atmosphere, and character engagement, elements that ‘V/H/S/Beyond’ intermittently hits but frequently misses.

Small victories in visual terror

Despite its narrative flaws, ‘V/H/S/Beyond’ boasts commendable special effects. Makeup effects designer Patrick Magee, alongside VFX supervisor Justin Martinez, provide viscerally grotesque imagery that breathes eerie life into the film. Unfortunately, these visual triumphs are often underutilized and overshadowed by the overarching narrative shortcomings.

Conclusion

While ‘V/H/S/Beyond’ delivers moments of gory delight with its inventive makeup and effects, it doesn’t quite manage to escape the pitfalls of its predecessors. The sci-fi twist doesn’t offer enough difference to truly stand out, and the segments fall back on tried-and-tested formulas of frenzied found-footage horror.

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