Two people in front of a house of horrors in V/H/S Halloween (2025)

It feels somewhat surprising and perhaps a slight oversight on the part of the V/H/S franchise that they’ve waited until the eighth (and counting) instalment to bring us some Halloween-focussed frolics.

The American found footage horror anthology film V/H/S Halloween was produced by Bloody Disgusting and released on Shudder following 2024’s V/H/S Beyond. It brings us a collection of October 31st-themed video tapes covering sinister stories from the darkly absurd to the gloriously gory. If you’re into camp chaos, then this chapter of analogue abhorrence is probably for you.

By narrowing its attentions to every horror fan’s favourite holiday, the series gets to thrust upon us some nauseating nostalgia and teens in peril a-plenty. Plus, the best thing about anthologies in general? There’s usually something for everyone amongst the mayhem.

Diet Phantasma (wraparound) dir. by Brian M. Ferguson

This framing story follows a clinical trial for a questionable new soda on the market. Its dark, parody-style humour also embeds many vintage horror nods, and sets the unnerving stage for those that follow.

Coochie Coochie Coo dir. by Anna Zlocovic

Anna’s grimy entry involves two teens who decide to go out for one last night of trick-or-treating. Ignoring warnings from a trio of harbingers who insist they’re too old for the annual tradition, they encounter a disturbed ‘mommy’ figure, and descend into her immersive yet claustrophobic world.

Ut Supra Sic Infra dir. by Paco Plaza ([REC])

Set in Madrid, this segment utilises a unique structure, cutting between a survivor’s present-day police interview and the original shaky footage of a mass murder at an abandoned house during a Halloween party. The horror escalates when an unconnected black phone box begins to ring, leading to a reality-bending climax.

Fun Size dir. by Casper Kelly

Leaning into the ‘only one each’ trick or treating candy bowl rule, a group of teens face the gruesome consequences of greed in this inventively surreal tale which blends slapstick humour with some applaudable, creative body horror gore.

Kid Print dir. by Alex Ross Perry

Providing arguably the series’ darkest narrative, Alex’s story centres on a service that prints photos of children to help prevent kidnappings by a prevalent child serial killer. Warning – this is the kind of horror that lingers.

Home Haunt dir. by Micheline Pitt Norman & R.H. Norman

The finale follows a father and son whose annual, elaborate front-yard DIY haunted house attraction turns deadly when the spooky props and retro monsters come to life, forcing the matriarch to fight for her family. Amazing practical effects and a focus on a strained father-son relationship bring a real nostalgic, and emotional core to this segment.

Even in the anthology format, the almost two-hour run time did feel slightly long. It’s a mixed bag of some tricks but mainly treats; the tonal consistency and gross but ultimately humorous frame story make this one of the stronger additions to the franchise. It may not reinvent the concept of found-footage, but it delivers the freaky fun and creepy-chaotic spirit that fans of the thriving series have come to crave. Long live V/H/S!

V/H/S Halloween is available now on Shudder.