‘V/H/S: Viral’ Kills for Fame

Jonathan Graves

“V/H/S: Viral” is the third film in the VHS anthology series that has become a cult hit amongst its fans. While the first two films featured a lead story about a character watching a VHS tape with other horror films, this one strays off that beaten path to bring you short films based around a central theme of fame. Specifically, it’s about what it takes to become the next Internet sensation. While it is a fine premise, the execution of the individual segments doesn’t equate to something anyone would obsess over in a movie. However, that’s not to say there aren’t strong set pieces within those parts.

The films start with the central characters, a couple who find themselves amidst the chance of a lifetime when a car chase consisting of a white van, barrels right through their front yard. The boyfriend, who always has a camera glued to this hand, is there to capture the moment and starts running down the street after it. This storyline is intriguing especially thanks to Iris, the girlfriend in the piece played by Emilia Ares Zoryan, who is prominently against her boyfriend’s hobby and becomes wrapped up into its deadly coils. It’s captivating and entertaining, however they cut away so much from the segment that it’s difficult to stay fully connected as it develops.

The first short in this new anthology is based around a magician who calls himself, “Dante the Great”. This is the most fascinating and best-directed piece, as it follows a magician who is a slave to his craft as well as to one of his props in particular, the magical cloak. Throughout the segment, Dante defies all logic as he performs his magic for sold-out crowds across the world and it’s here that the theme of fame comes into play. The directing by Gregg Bishop is visceral as he maneuvers the camera in dynamic ways to capture all the spectacle of the magic show. Justin Welborn and Emmy Argo are equally as wonderful in the piece as they truly transform into their characters. The writer of this segment also pulls out some humor that stands out above the rest. But this piece starts a trend in disappointing conclusions that is an unfortunate repeating occurrence with all the segments in “V/H/S: Viral.”

The next segment is entitled “Gorgeous Vortex” and while it’s visually interesting, thanks to wonderful gore make-up and unique designs, it’s ultimately a weak narrative. In the segment, a husband creates a window into a parallel universe that appears to be human, but in fact it’s something much, much worse. The husband sees his supposed alternate self on the other side and the two cross over to explore each other’s worlds. While it’s thrilling to discover the alternate dimension with the character, it doesn’t expand more than walking through a house and running outside in an attempt to escape a potentially upsetting situation. It’s one of those scenarios where the audience becomes much smarter than the lead character and that’s annoying. The gore and make-up effects here are some of the best and it’s a shame they don’t lead to something much more interesting.

Between all of these segments, the film is cutting back to the “found-footage. The visuals are particularly fast-paced and difficult to follow through most of the segment, which is part of the bigger problem with this portion of the film.

Following that brief side tour, we jump into another story focusing on teenage fame seekers who are ready to hit the road to Mexico. Across the border, we see the kids doing ollies and grinds on their skateboards while recording themselves for potential views. They stumble across a forbidden area where a cult has set up a rather ominous sacrificial shrine. Through the course of their trespassing, one of the kids summons the demonic figures that start terrorizing them for supernatural satanic purposes. It’s a tense segment that brings in much needed horror and connection for audiences who will root for the kids to escape. The angles are dynamic and the visual effects are top notch. While a thrilling scene, it’s one that leaves much to be desired upon its conclusion.

This conclusion puts the entire film in a Rubik’s Cube of confusion that only a few will want to work out. While there are strong creative players at work here, the overall pieces don’t equate to the magic that some of the parts have to offer. The visuals are enticing and the make-up was clearly done with time and care, but it’s ultimately a film that leaves the viewing jumbled and questioning.

‘V/H/S: Viral‘ uploads into theaters Nov. 21.