Clean those filthy video heads and adjust your tracking because the chillingly popular V/H/S franchise is set to make its always welcome return on Shudder this spooky season with its latest installment, V/H/S/BEYOND. As the seventh film in the found footage horror anthology series and the ninth overall entry, this new chapter is poised to deliver the same unsettling testament as to just how much of a possessive influence disturbing VHS videos can have over those who see them.
Having just premiered at this year’s Fantastic Fest, generating a groundswell of buzz and widespread critical acclaim, the film features segments from segments from a diverse array of talented filmmakers: Jordan Downey (ThanksKilling, The Head Hunter), Christian and Justin Long (Barbarian, Tusk), Justin Martinez (V/H/S, Southbound), Virat Pal (Recapture), Kate Siegel (Hush, “The Haunting of Hill House”) and a special presentation/wraparound narrative by Jay Cheel (How To Build A Time Machine).
Already dubbed, “…the strongest overall collection of tales in “V/H/S” history” by Ryan Scott of SlashFilm, and “…an absolutely fantastic ride through science fiction hell,” by Dread Central’s Mary Beth McAndrews, V/H/S BEYOND promises yet another disquieting collection of bloodcurdling tapes that blend the genre’s most terrifying elements into a harrowing, sci-fi-tinged descent into the depths of human fear and depravity.
Stepping into the iconic V/H/S universe for the first time, celebrated actor Justin Long was beyond excited to take the reins as co-director for the “Fur Babies” segment. Recently wrapping up his directorial debut with the Lionsgate comedy Lady of the Manor, Long was eager to dive into the horror genre, which he feels is an incredibly stimulating creative space: “The horror genre is such an exciting space for me, creatively, because it allows you to take wild swings with your imagination – and, specifically in the VHS world, those swings are encouraged to be as wild as possible. As an audience member, I’ve been drawn to monster movies since I was a kid spending way too much time studying the VHS box covers of those great ’80s horror movies at my beloved video store (RIP). “Fur Babies” also gave me an opportunity to further explore the wonderful balance between horror and comedy; a relationship that has always attracted me as an actor – and one that’s been mastered by some of my favorite filmmakers – like Sam Raimi, Zach Cregger, Ari Aster and Jordan Peele. It made it less daunting to take this wild creature-feature swing with my brother, Christian, whose sense of humor and storytelling I have such confidence and trust in – and when either of us would worry or wonder “Is this too much? Is it going too far” we’d look to our supportive, knowledgeable producer, Josh Goldbloom, and he’d say “No. I don’t think it’s far enough!” As a fan of weird, wild horror, that’s a sandbox that I’m always happy to play in.”
Shudder.
Another acclaimed actor, Kate Siegel, known for her standout roles in hit horror projects like “Midnight Mass,” Hush, and the upcoming film adaptation of Stephen King‘s The Life of Chuck alongside Tom Hiddleston, has now added another impressive accomplishment to her resume – making her directorial debut with the latest installment in the popular V/H/S horror anthology franchise. Commenting on her segment titled “Stowaway,” penned by Mike Flanagan, she added, “I’m grateful to have V/H/S be my directorial debut; a franchise of which I’ve been a longtime fan. “Stowaway” lives at the intersection of Contact and The Fly, and alongside my DP, Michael Fimognari (Doctor Sleep, Oculus), I was able to take some incredible creative risks thanks to the support of the Shudder and V/H/S teams.”
Everything we thought we knew will be called into question when V/H/S/BEYOND premieres on Shudder this coming October 4th, 2024.
