The V/H/S franchise has always leaned into its unpredictable, chaotic nature, and V/H/S/Beyond continues this tradition, offering a new collection of short horror films that range from inventive and chilling to downright bizarre. This latest installment comes with some solid scares and intriguing ideas, but like most anthologies, it’s a mixed bag. The strongest segments manage to elevate the overall experience, while a few others hold it back. Here’s a breakdown of each story:

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“Abduction/Adduction” – Frame Narrative

Directed by Jay Cheel, “Abduction/Adduction” serves as the glue that holds the anthology together. The premise follows a group of people documenting bizarre encounters with alien abductions, which links the other stories in a creative, albeit predictable, manner. The narrative keeps things moving with just enough intrigue, but ultimately it’s more functional than memorable.

Strengths: Strong visuals, cohesive framework.
Weaknesses: Somewhat familiar storyline.

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“Stork” – A Chilling, Standout Segment

Directed by Jordan Downey, “Stork” is easily one of the anthology’s highlights. This segment centers around a police unit investigating a string of baby disappearances in a decrepit house. What starts as a procedural investigation quickly devolves into something much more unsettling, with the house itself becoming a labyrinth of horrors. Downey creates a palpable sense of dread throughout, blending supernatural elements with gritty realism. The imagery is nightmarish, and the tension builds to a truly disturbing climax.

Strengths: Atmosphere, direction, disturbing imagery.
Weaknesses: Some predictable elements, but it’s a standout.

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“Dream Girl” – Bollywood Horror with a Twist

Virat Pal’s “Dream Girl” takes the found footage genre in an unexpected direction, focusing on two paparazzi who sneak onto the set of a Bollywood film. What starts off as a humorous misadventure quickly turns into a chilling encounter with Tara, a famous actress hiding dark secrets in her trailer. The blending of Bollywood glitz with horror works well here, and the segment’s twist is both shocking and satisfying. Pal’s ability to shift from lighthearted moments to sheer terror makes this one of the more engaging stories.

Strengths: Originality, strong twist.
Weaknesses: Some pacing issues.

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“Live and Let Dive” – Fun but Chaotic

Justin Martinez’s “Live and Let Dive” takes the anthology in a more action-packed direction, following a group of skydivers who find themselves in a fight for survival after their plane collides with a UFO. This segment is a wild ride from start to finish, blending sci-fi with horror. While the concept is thrilling, the execution feels rushed, and the story lacks depth. That said, it’s still fun, especially for those who enjoy chaotic, fast-paced horror.

Strengths: Action, unique premise.
Weaknesses: Rushed storytelling, lack of emotional connection.

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“Fur Babies” – The Weakest Entry

Directed by Justin Long and Christian Long, “Fur Babies” is easily the weakest link in the anthology. The story follows animal rights activists who break into a taxidermist’s house, only to find a grotesque secret in her basement. Despite an interesting premise, the segment feels disjointed and lacks the sharp edge needed to make it effective. Long seems to be channeling some Tusk-era vibes here, but the result is more off-putting than terrifying. The horror elements feel forced, and the comedic moments don’t land, leaving the segment feeling out of place in the anthology.

Strengths: Potential in the premise.
Weaknesses: Disjointed execution, forced humor.

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“Stowaway” – A Strong Directorial Debut

Rounding out the anthology is “Stowaway,” directed by Kate Siegel in her directorial debut and written by horror maestro Mike Flanagan. This segment centers on a woman documenting strange lights over the Mojave Desert, slowly unraveling a terrifying mystery. “Stowaway” shines with its minimalist approach, building suspense through atmosphere and subtle scares rather than relying on gore or jump scares. Siegel proves herself as a promising director, and with Flanagan’s script, this segment serves as a perfect closer, leaving audiences with an unsettling feeling that lingers after the credits roll.

Strengths: Atmosphere, storytelling, direction.
Weaknesses: Some might find the pacing too slow.

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The Prognosis:

V/H/S/Beyond continues the franchise’s tradition of showcasing diverse horror styles within the found footage format. While some segments, like “Stork” and “Stowaway,” rise above the rest, others, like “Fur Babies,” drag the overall experience down. Still, it offers enough creativity and scares to make it a worthy entry in the series. Fans of the franchise will appreciate the variety, even if the anthology doesn’t always hit the mark.

• Saul Muerte

V/H/S/Beyond will stream on Shudder from 4th October.