V/H/S/Beyond

The latest installment in the V/H/S series, subtitled 'Beyond,' plunges viewers into a realm where science fiction and horror combine in unholy matrimony, yielding a cinematic experience that defies all conventional boundaries. From the onset, it's clear that 'Beyond' will push the boundaries of what the genre has to offer, unleashing a relentless onslaught of twisted visions and visceral terror that leaves the viewer gasping for air. The anthology film, comprising seven distinct segments, masterfully weaves together a diverse array of narratives that span from cosmic horror to cyberpunk dystopia and interdimensional terrors. Each segment, though distinct in terms of setting and premise, shares a common thread - a sense of creeping unease that lingers long after the credits roll. 'V/H/S 3: Beyond' begins with an enigmatic prologue that introduces us to a mysterious entity known as 'The Archivist.' Through cryptic whispers and obscure references, we catch glimpses of The Archivist's existence, a being tasked with documenting and curating the most heinous acts of violence for the benefit of an unseen audience. This enigmatic figure becomes the thread that weaves the various narratives within the film together, hinting at a larger conspiracy that transcends the boundaries of the individual shorts. The anthology kicks off with the segment 'Don't Answer,' a claustrophobic and unnerving tale of a woman trapped in her own home, stalked by an unrelenting entity from another realm. This cosmic horror narrative expertly crafts tension through its use of shadows, silhouettes, and the faint, unsettling whispers of the entity itself. As the woman's sanity begins to unravel, we're confronted with the existential horror of being helplessly trapped in a never-ending battle against a force beyond our comprehension. The next segment, 'You're Among Friends,' takes a darker and more cynical turn, thrusting us into a world of reality TV and surveillance state politics. Two reality TV contestants, bound together by their participation in a social experiment, find themselves trapped in a perpetual cycle of violence and psychological manipulation. As the lines between reality and television blur, the audience is left questioning the true nature of this twisted social commentary. 'Beyond' next plunges us into the world of 'Gag Reflex,' a segment that reimagines the V/H/S series as a visceral, punk-rock infused cyberpunk nightmare. This neon-drenched, high-octane narrative introduces us to a group of hackers who discover a cryptic server containing a series of disturbing footage. As they delve deeper into the server's mysteries, they unleash a maelstrom of gore and anarchy that threatens to consume their very existence. The anthology then shifts gears, presenting us with the segment 'A Vicious Circulation,' a haunting and mesmerizing tale of a man trapped in a labyrinthine hospital ward. As he navigates the surreal corridors, he's confronted with the dark side of medical science and the true cost of playing God. This unnerving exploration of the human condition slowly unravels, revealing the darker implications of a world that's increasingly willing to sacrifice individuality for the sake of progress. The next segment, 'Tapes,' offers a more grounded narrative, one that eschews the cosmic horrors and cyberpunk dystopias of the previous chapters in favor of a more intimate, character-driven story. A young couple, on the brink of separation, discovers a series of cryptic tapes containing footage of their own, yet-to-be-lived experiences. As they struggle to reconcile their own reality with the eerie predictions contained on the tapes, they're forced to confront the darker aspects of their own relationship. 'Beyond' closes out with the segment 'The Gawkers,' a scathing commentary on our collective obsession with violence and celebrity culture. This biting satire thrusts us into a world of 'found footage' and social media voyeurism, where a group of self-proclaimed 'true crime enthusiasts' become embroiled in a sinister real-life mystery. As they descend into madness and obsession, we're left questioning the true nature of reality and our own complicity in the spectacle. Ultimately, 'V/H/S/Beyond' is a testament to the enduring power of horror as a metaphor for our darkest fears and anxieties. This film masterfully weaves together a diverse array of narratives that, at once, reflect and distort our expectations of the genre. As the credits roll, viewers are left to ponder the implications of a world where the boundaries between reality and fantasy are increasingly blurred, and the consequences of our collective voyeurism continue to escalate.