It has sort of become an annual Spooktober routine now, with these V/H/S films. Let me review segment by segment, as I have with all the previous entires:
P. S. That's the highest I've rated a V/H/S film since V/H/S 2.
- "Abduction/Adduction" /frame narrative: The wraparound segment is in the style of a documentary--inspired more from the likes of BBC and WB Discovery than the Netflix format. It isn't outright scary per se, just a tone-setter. The final shot is weird in ways we've come to expect these V/H/S wraparound segments, though. (2/5)
- "Stork": Now, this I could get behind. A gory zombie actioner with an extra-terrestrial setup, I loved how the action is relentless once it starts. The bloodletting is also on the higher side, with some disgusting (but the right dose of enjoyable) creature effects. The finale is tame in comparison to the rest of the proceedings, but it's still a very solid (ACTUAL) first segment. Jordan Downey has my attention. (3.25/5)
- "Dream Girl": Never in my dreams did I imagine seeing a musical (item) number in a V/H/S movie, but this takes it one step further by embedding the extra-terrestrial within a Bollywood diva. The creature effects are captured from a distance most of the time, so I wouldn't call it the most well-shot segment. Yet, I'll give marks for the innovation in plot, setting, and some (extra) dark humour. Good job, Virat Pal. (3.25/5)
- "Live and Let Dive": Once again, a very unique setting for an alien attack -- a celebratory skydiving session. The creature CG reminded me of The Thing videogame (from 2002), and the way the scares are built and the practical effects are used -- good stuff indeed. Justin Martinez, part of Radio Silence, clearly showcases his filmmaking prowess. (3.5/5)
- "Fur Babies": Justin Long and his brother Christian Long create an extension of Tusk, with gnarly effects that are bound to irk dog lovers -- and that's probably the whole intention. This is also the only segment that doesn't imply an extra-terrestrial presence. It's fine, I suppose. (2.5/5)
- "Stowaway": While this has the most direct alien-UFO-exploration plot, it moves at a slow pace and given its late '80s setting, the visuals are (deliberately) pixelated. Flanagan and Siegel manage to create a trance-like aura of being stuck in an alien spaceship, but the segment somehow lacks the urgency and tension of an actual alien abduction. The effects can rival David Cronenberg's The Fly, but not a lot is actually revealed. (2.75/5)
P. S. That's the highest I've rated a V/H/S film since V/H/S 2.