DVD Corner

V/H/S/Mixtape Review

“V/H/S/Mixtape “ is one of the better entries in the long-running horror franchise.

As a fan of horror anthology films, “V/H/S” has always been in my wheelhouse, but, with the exception of “V/H/S/2,” the films have always been highly uneven. Moreover, they have had a tendency to get rather dark, mean spirited, and sometimes just downright unpleasant. With “V/H/S/Mixtape,” the haphazard quality is still present, but this is refreshingly much more playful in tone.

In traditional V/H/S fashion, there’s a wrap around for this ninth entry although this one is much more loose. Basically, the heavy metal band Gwar acts as horror hosts/video DJs. There are skits and even a music video for Repugnant’s “Premature Burial” sprinkled in throughout the runtime. If you’re a Gwar fan, you’re sure to be on board with their ridiculous brand of humor (expect lots of bodily fluids). Flying Lotus and Tobias Forge (yes, the Ghost frontman) direct these segments and, if you didn’t know, Tobias Forge was also in the death metal band Repugnant.

The first and best segment is dubbed “Dance, Dance, Dance, Dance” and it comes from director Renee Zhan. The story concerns a group looking to “reimagine” a “Sesame Street” style puppet children’s show called “The Curious Chorus.” Upon arriving at the studio to scan the puppets (in order to make them into CGI characters), the creative team soon discovers that these puppets are not inanimate. This segment is easily one of the best in the entire franchise and is sure to be a hit with fans. Who doesn’t love killer puppets let alone an entire warehouse full of them? It’s a real visual treat in the vein of “Buddy” and “Five Nights At Freddy’s.”

Next up is a very short stop-motion animated story by director Flying Lotus. Without spoiling too much, it’s a wordless piece involving a boy, his cruel grandma, and one big giant. It’s very short, but beautifully crafted. It’s nice to see filmmakers experimenting with mediums in this installment. The film is better for it.

Filmmaker David Moreau’s “Heartbeat” is the most traditional horror tale here. The story finds a vlogging couple (Wes and Mya) breaking into an abandoned experimental military base in the middle of the woods where the two find themselves trapped inside a soundproof room. While nightmarish and conceptually interesting, this one feels a bit too rushed and short for its own good. It would have benefited from another 5 to 10 minutes.

“The Music Of Mr. Sze” comes from director Ernest Dickerson who is best known for “Tales From The Crypt: Demon Knight.” The story follows a student working on a documentary project. He moves into a strange apartment building and encounters a tenant (Mr. Sze) playing hypnotically beautiful violin music in the attic. The student soon discovers there is much more going on in that attic. The Lovecraftian look and feel of this segment mixed with the top notch set design goes a long way here, but you’re left wanting a bit more from the atmospheric story itself. 

The final segment is “Death Tone” from RZA of the Wu-Tang Clan. After a music producer passes away, his daughter tries to make music in order to honor him. Her father left behind a demo tape that offers up 3 lessons to help make music. The daughter uses this as a way to find beats by any means necessary. There’s a good idea buried somewhere in here, but the execution leaves a little to be desired. It feels like the actual music element is a bit short changed here in favor of bloody carnage. 

“V/H/S/Mixtape” is the type of movie you want to check out in the spooky Halloween season. It may be uneven and it may not appeal to fans who prefer the darker segments, but as a whole, this is a much more enjoyable outing than usual.

“V/H/S/Mixtape” will be released on Shudder Oct. 9, 2026.

October 8, 2026 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Movie Review | Horror Anthology, Puppets, Shudder, Tobias Forge, V/H/S, V/H/S/Mixtape Review