V/H/S

V/H/S is a found footage horror anthology film, meaning it is composed of several distinct short horror segments linked by a central wraparound narrative. The film presents itself as a compilation of mysterious, terrifying VHS recordings discovered by a group of petty criminals. Different directors, including Ti West and Adam Wingard, helmed the individual segments.

The V/H/S franchise has grown significantly since the first film, featuring multiple sequels including V/H/S/2, V/H/S: Viral, and the Shudder exclusives V/H/S/94 and V/H/S/99. Each film features a new roster of independent horror directors contributing their own unique found-footage segments. The series is widely celebrated for revitalizing the anthology format.

The wraparound story of the original 2012 film follows a group of destructive criminals hired to break into a house and steal a rare VHS tape. Upon arriving, they find a dead body surrounded by televisions and stacks of tapes, forcing them to watch the horrific footage to find the right one. This framing premise effectively sets up the anthology segments.

The V/H/S segments explore various subgenres of horror, mixing paranormal entities, slashers, and sci-fi horrors all into one film. For example, one segment features a murderous stalker, while another deals with a demonic creature tracked by a futuristic implant. The diverse directing styles ensure a varied mix of scares across the different tapes.