FILM REVIEW: V/H/S/Mixtape (2026)

V/H/S/Mixtape - New Release Review

Director: Ernest Dickerson, RZA, David Moreau, Renee Zhan

Starring: Jihad Brent, Barbara Crampton, Alex Hsu, Neela Jolene, Gwar

Written by: Zoe Cooper, RZA, Ernest Dickerson, Matt Landsman, David Moreau

Produced by: Josh Goldbloom, Roy Lee, Brad Miska, Steven Schneider, Micahel Schreiber

Original Score by: Alex Geringas, Mike Himelstein

Synopsis:

A new found footage horror anthology in which music and sound become a source of terror.

Thoughts:

Ever since the release of 'V/H/S/94' there has been an annual tradition of a 'V/H/S' film being released just in time for Halloween. Initially this resurgeance took a specific year and played up the found footage trappings of that era to great effect. More recently though the series has moved from a specific year to a specific theme as it has touched upon aliens and even the season of Halloween. Now with 'V/H/S/Mixtape', the most prolific anthology series in horror focuses on music and sound. 

In this aural fuelled entry in the series there are four main segments with a wrap around featuring metal band GWAR as hosts on an MTV from hell style progamme. Centring on the relationship between sound and fear, the segments are directed by Ernest Dickerson, RZA, David Moreau and Renee Zhan with a pair of music videos directed by Tobias Forge and Flying Lotus. 

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The film opens with our hosts of the feature, the grotesquely theatrical heavy metal band Gwar. It is no secret that their over the top style of infantile gross out humour isn’t to everyone’s taste and usually I would find them to be amusing but even I found my patience growing thin with their antics. Their MTV inspired wrap around segments feel like they are directed by Lloyd Kaufman so that should give you an idea of what you are getting yourself in for. Did I find myself rolling my eyes at their guttural jokes? Yes. Did I also find myself laughing at some of their pun induced humour? Also yes. On paper it might seem like a fun idea but for me it doesn’t entirely work and is ultimately forgettable. 

The first story of the film is from Renee Zahn and is called 'Dance, Dance, Dance, Dance'. It centres on a studio's attempt to reboot the children’s puppet show, The Curious Chorus (which is stylistically like Sesame Street). Whilst it does take some time to get going, the presence of horror icon Barbera Crampton as a bitchy studio exec is enough to keep it moving along nicely. The real star of the segment though are the demented puppets designed by Jim Henson’s workshop. Once they embark on a bloody rampage (that includes a darkly comedic homage to the most famous kill of the slasher Intruder) the story ends on a delightfully chaotic note. 

Next up is 'Heartbeat' by David Moreau which sees a pair of YouTubers become trapped in an anechoic chamber when investigating an old abandoned Soviet military site. This is probably the most outright scary entry in the film as it really takes advantage of the sound design. The pulsing and squelching sounds that drive the couple mad are really uncomfortable but the use of go pro cameras on selfie sticks offer an interesting visual dynamic that works well as a counter to the sense of claustrophobia. It is a creepy piece of work with a disturbing end that does a good job at burrowing into your head. 

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Between these segments and outside of Gwar’s wraparound there are music videos from Flying Lotus and Tobias Forge which are quite different to anything presented in the main stories. Flying Lotus’ 'Another Cabin' is a strange piece of stop motion that feels like an episode of 'The PJs' directed by Tim Burton while Forge’s video 'Premature Burial' leans heavily into VHS quality aesthetics with a gothic atmosphere. They both serve as nice interludes to the different tones of each story.

The third story, 'The Music of Mr. Sze' sees veteran filmmaker Ernest R. Dickerson take on a curious story of a young documentary filmmaker Phillip Howard (played by Jihad Brent) becoming fascinated by the music of his upstairs neighbour, Mr. Sze (played by Alex Hsu). With this story Dickerson does a great job crafting a lived in world in the rustic apartment block filled with eccentric characters. The lighting also works well at giving the film an arch quality akin to the dream sequences from his previous work, 'Demon Knight'. Best of all, he sustains a fun sense of mystery throughout before going full blown cosmic horror with the finale that is relentless leaving you wanting more in the best way possible. 

The film ends on a very bloody note with the RZA directed segment, 'Death Tone' that sees the daughter of a recently deceased sound engineer push the boundaries of her musical talents to try and create the perfect song to make her father proud. It may be fairly one note when the gory mayhem ensues but Neela Jolene is having a blast in an 'American Psycho' inspired role that is a delight to watch. Its not the strongest segment to end the film but it is certainly an entertaining one. 

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'V/H/S/Mixtape' may not be a high note in the series but there isn’t a bad story in the eclectic group of sound inspired segments as they range from fine to great. It is certainly an interesting choice for a theme to tie the stories together but the wraparound segments are what really drag the film down. It won’t stop the series from stopping anytime soon though as 'V/H/S: SCP' has already been announced for release next year. 

Verdict: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

-Joseph McElroy

'V/H/S/Mixtape' is available to stream on Shudder on Friday October 9th