V/H/S/94

Movie Trailer

Release Date
October 6, 2021

Genre
Horror, Found Footage, Anthology

Cast & Crew

• Anna Hopkins as Holly Marciano (from “Holy Hell”)
• Christian Lloyd as Slater (from “The Empty Wake”)
• Kyal Legend as Jesse (from “The Empty Wake”)
• Dru Viergever as S.W.A.T. Leader Greg (from “Holy Hell”)
• Sean Patrick Dolan as S.W.A.T. Member (from “Holy Hell”)
• Dax Ravina as S.W.A.T. Member (from “Holy Hell”)

Director

• Simon Barrett (Segment: “The Empty Wake”)
• Timo Tjahjanto (Segment: “The Subject”)
• Chloe Okuno (Segment: “Storm Drain”)
• Ryan Prows (Segment: “Terror”)

Other Movies Director is Known For

• Simon Barrett: Seance (2021), You’re Next (2011, as writer)
• Timo Tjahjanto: May the Devil Take You (2018), The Night Comes for Us (2018)
• Chloe Okuno: Watcher (2022), Slut (2014)
• Ryan Prows: Lowlife (2017)

Producer
David Bruckner, Brad Miska, Josh Goldbloom, Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett, Chad Villella

Writer

• Simon Barrett (Segment: “The Empty Wake”)
• Timo Tjahjanto (Segment: “The Subject”)
• Chloe Okuno (Segment: “Storm Drain”)
• Ryan Prows (Segment: “Terror”)

Budget
Estimated $3-5 million

Production Company
Bloody Disgusting, Radio Silence Productions, Studio71, Cinepocalypse Productions

Running Time
103 minutes

Languages
English

Maturity Rating
TV-MA (for violence, gore, disturbing images, and language)

Content Advisory

• Extreme violence and gore
• Disturbing imagery
• Themes of horror and the supernatural
• Strong language

Movie Story
V/H/S/94 is the fourth installment in the V/H/S horror anthology series, continuing the franchise’s tradition of delivering chilling found-footage horror through a series of short films, each directed by a different filmmaker. Set in the year 1994, the film centers around a police S.W.A.T. team that stumbles upon a sinister compound while investigating a drug raid. As they explore the dark and eerie surroundings, they discover a series of VHS tapes that contain disturbing footage of horrific events.

The film is structured around four main segments, each with its own story, style, and scares:

1. “Storm Drain” (Directed by Chloe Okuno): This segment follows a news reporter investigating local legends about a mysterious creature known as the “Ratman” living in the storm drains beneath the city. What starts as a simple urban legend turns into a nightmare as the reporter uncovers the terrifying truth.
2. “The Empty Wake” (Directed by Simon Barrett): Set in a funeral home, this segment follows a young woman tasked with overseeing a wake late at night. As she sits alone with the body, strange and unexplainable occurrences begin to unfold, leading to a horrifying revelation.
3. “The Subject” (Directed by Timo Tjahjanto): In this segment, a mad scientist conducts grotesque experiments on human subjects, merging them with machines to create nightmarish hybrids. The story is told from the perspective of one of his victims, who attempts to escape the horrific lab as the experiments spiral out of control.
4. “Terror” (Directed by Ryan Prows): This segment follows a militant extremist group in rural America as they plan an attack using a supernatural entity they’ve captured. However, their twisted plans take a deadly turn as the entity proves to be far more dangerous than they anticipated.

The film concludes with the wraparound segment, “Holy Hell,” directed by Jennifer Reeder, which ties the stories together and reveals the true horror behind the compound where the VHS tapes were found.

V/H/S/94 is a brutal and terrifying exploration of different horror subgenres, blending supernatural horror, body horror, and psychological terror. The found-footage format adds to the intensity, creating an immersive and unsettling experience that keeps viewers on edge from start to finish.

Special Effects
The special effects in V/H/S/94 are a mix of practical effects and CGI, designed to enhance the found-footage aesthetic and create a gritty, realistic feel. The film is packed with gruesome and disturbing visuals, particularly in segments like “The Subject,” where Timo Tjahjanto’s background in gore-heavy horror shines through. The practical effects, including creature designs, blood splatter, and dismemberment, contribute to the visceral impact of the film, while the lo-fi VHS aesthetic adds to the unsettling atmosphere.

Box Office Performance
V/H/S/94 was released on the streaming platform Shudder, bypassing traditional theatrical release. The film quickly became one of the most-watched titles on the platform, receiving praise from horror fans for its return to the gritty, raw style that made the original V/H/S a cult hit. While it did not have a box office performance, its success on Shudder solidified the V/H/S franchise’s reputation as a staple in the found-footage horror genre.

Filming Locations

• Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Notable Quotes

• “They’re here. They’re watching.” – S.W.A.T. Member (from “Holy Hell”)
• “In the darkest corners, the strangest things lurk.” – Narrator (from “Storm Drain”)
• “This is not science. It’s madness.” – Victim (from “The Subject”)

Behind-the-Scenes

• V/H/S/94 marks the return of the V/H/S franchise after a seven-year hiatus, with a renewed focus on capturing the raw, analog horror aesthetic of the original film.
• The film’s anthology format allowed each director to bring their unique vision and style to their segment, resulting in a diverse range of horror experiences within a single film.
• The practical effects team worked closely with each director to achieve the gritty, VHS-era look and feel, using a combination of makeup, prosthetics, and analog visual effects to enhance the film’s authenticity.

Awards

• None, but the film received positive reviews from critics and horror fans for its creative approach to the found-footage genre and its effective use of practical effects.

Final Verdict
V/H/S/94 is a worthy addition to the V/H/S franchise, delivering a brutal and visceral horror experience that fans of found-footage and anthology films will appreciate. Each segment offers something different, from the urban legend terror of “Storm Drain” to the grotesque body horror of “The Subject.” The film’s commitment to its 1990s aesthetic, combined with strong practical effects and disturbing visuals, makes it a standout in the series. If you’re looking for a horror film that pushes the boundaries of the genre and delivers non-stop scares, V/H/S/94 is a must-watch.

IMDb Rating
6.1/10