The latest entry into the popular horror franchise "V/H/S/Beyond" takes a stab at blending science fiction with horror, a strategy employed by many franchises as a way of reinvigorating the story. Although it attempts to stand out in the crowd, "V/H/S/Beyond" seems to recycle familiar horror themes and executes them in a forgettable way.
The film is segmented into several parts, each containing different scenarios that all end in a dramatic, bloody climax. These parts include scenes like a house raid turned zombie attack, two paparazzi discovering more than they bargained for on a film set, and a birthday skydiving trip gone wrong.
While each segment is slightly larger than life and delivers a range of different settings and plots, they appear similar in nature – setting up a tense situation, leading to a monster-filled massacre.
Among the segments, one titled "Fur Babies", directed by siblings Christian and Justin Long, stands out with its comedic take. However, this episode falls flat, turning into a dull caricature of animal rights activists and pet owners.
Actress Kate Siegel's latest team-up with Mike Flanagan, labeled "Stowaway", does attempt a more nuanced approach, hinting at the complicated backstory of the protagonist, Halley. Yet, the ultimate payoff in the depiction of her alien encounter comes off as vague and unsatisfying.
One main issue identified in "V/H/S/Beyond" is that while it is high on energy, the constant, chaotic actions sequences quickly become repetitive. This vicious cycle lacks any significant character development, atmosphere, or narrative engagement. Despite the potential of the individual ideas, most culminate into the same bloody showdown, showcasing a need for the future installations to prioritize inventive storytelling.
Nevertheless, "V/H/S/Beyond" isn't entirely lacking; commending the effort put into creating vivid and grotesque imagery by special makeup effects designer Patrick Magee and VFX supervisor Justin Martinez. These details add depth to the otherwise common scenes.
In conclusion, the seventh entry of the "V/H/S" series seems to rely heavily on tropes that have been played out excessively in the horror genre. While it will likely attract a dedicated audience, it leaves much to be desired for those seeking a fresh perspective in the well-trodden genre.
