V/H/S/2 – Film Review

Published September 5, 2023

V/H/S/2 – Film Review

Movie Details

Rating
B
Director
Eduardo Sánchez, Gregg Hale, Simon Barrett, Adam Wingard, Jason Eisener, Gareth Evans, Timo Tjahjanto
Writer
Jamie Nash, Simon Barrett, Jason Eisener, Gareth Evans, Timo Tjahjanto, John Davies
Actors
Lawrence Michael Levine, Kelsy Abbott, L.C. Holt, Simon Barrett, Mindy Robinson
Runtime
1 h 36 min
Release Date
June 6, 2013
Genres
Horror, Thriller
Certification
NR

Inside a darkened house looms a column of TVs littered with VHS tapes, a pagan shrine to forgotten analog gods. The screens crackle and pop endlessly with monochrome vistas of static white noise permeating the brain and fogging concentration. But you must fight the urge to relax: this is no mere movie night. Those obsolete spools contain more than just magnetic tape. They are imprinted with the very soul of evil.

V/H/S/2, directed by a collaborative team of horror filmmakers, is the sequel to the 2012 anthology horror film, V/H/S. Like its predecessor, V/H/S/2 is a found-footage anthology that weaves together several short horror stories, each shot from a first-person perspective. While it offers a diverse range of terrifying scenarios and showcases some exceptional moments of creativity, it also stumbles in areas that prevent it from reaching its full potential.The film kicks off with “Phase I Clinical Trials,” directed by Adam Wingard, who also directed one of the segments in the first V/H/S film. This segment follows a man who receives an ocular implant after losing an eye in a car accident. While the concept is intriguing, the execution is uneven. The found-footage style occasionally feels contrived, and some jump scares are telegraphed. However, it makes up for these shortcomings with gruesome body horror and a chilling climax that capitalizes on the fear of surveillance technology.

Gareth Evans and Timo Tjahjanto‘s contribution, “A Ride in the Park,” stands out as one of the highlights of V/H/S/2. Shot entirely from a cyclist’s helmet camera, it tells the harrowing story of a man who becomes a zombie during a bike ride through the woods. The perspective adds a unique layer of immediacy to the zombie apocalypse scenario. The practical effects are top-notch, delivering intense gore that doesn’t shy away from the brutality of the undead. This segment’s pacing is spot-on, and the tension builds steadily, leading to a poignant and haunting conclusion.

“Safe Haven,” directed by Gareth Evans and Timo Tjahjanto, is the centerpiece of V/H/S/2. It follows a documentary crew investigating a cult in Indonesia. This segment is a rollercoaster of terror, blending found footage with mockumentary elements. It starts slow but steadily builds an unsettling atmosphere as the filmmakers delve deeper into the cult’s bizarre practices. The climax is an absolute nightmare, combining gruesome imagery and supernatural horror.

However, “Safe Haven” is not without flaws. The abrupt shift from documentary-style interviews to found footage is jarring, and some character motivations feel underdeveloped. Nevertheless, it’s a standout entry that delivers visceral horror and disturbing imagery.

“Slumber Party Alien Abduction,” directed by Jason Eisener, provides a change of pace with its extraterrestrial theme. This segment revolves around a group of kids having a sleepover, only to be terrorized by alien invaders. While it offers a fresh perspective within the found-footage genre, it struggles to maintain tension consistently. The shaky camera work, typical of found footage, becomes tiresome during the action sequences, and the alien design, while initially creepy, loses its impact as the story unfolds.

V/H/S/2 is a mixed bag of horror, delivering some memorable segments that showcase the potential of found footage storytelling while also suffering from clichés and pacing issues. “A Ride in the Park” and “Safe Haven” stand out as the strongest entries, offering unique and terrifying experiences, while “Phase I Clinical Trials” and “Slumber Party Alien Abduction” have their moments but fail to reach the same heights.

Ultimately, V/H/S/2 is worth watching for horror enthusiasts who appreciate the found-footage subgenre and are willing to forgive its shortcomings. It’s a film that demonstrates the creativity and innovation within the horror genre but also reminds us that not all experiments in terror yield equally satisfying results. If you can handle the gore and enjoy a good fright, V/H/S/2 has its share of spine-tingling moments that will leave you with a lingering sense of unease.